There are lots of things I miss about Sweden, particularly when it comes to kids. First of all, it is dang hard to find toddler socks with those rubber stickies on the bottom. Is it due to the propensity of wall-to-wall carpet here? Whatever the reason, we have a hell of a time finding socks that don't send Sophie slipping and sliding all over our wood floors. Probably what's #1 on my miss list is Swedish children's clothing shops. If Lindex shipped to Sweden, I would be all over it. Fortunately there is a glimmer of hope with all the hip baby clothes available in Portland, like the adorable onesie above.
Also battling for the #1 spot right now: I really miss the Swedish laid-back attitude toward pregnancy. I found a great midwife clinic here that's actually in walking distance from our house. And it's like an English-speaking version of my Swedish experience. BUT we had our 20-week ultrasound at the hospital on Monday, and the doctor was the epitomy of everything I imagined with an American pregnancy. First, the exam took 2 hours versus 20 minutes tops in Sweden. They looked for EVERYTHING. Good in one sense, but bad in another, which I will expand on in a minute.
After the technician did the initial screen for over an hour, a doctor came in to give us the results. She introduced herself and then asked a series of questions like, "Are you working with a genetic counselor?" and "Have you opted out of getting any genetic tests like an amniocentesis." Looking like a deer in headlights, I finally asked her, "Is there a reason you are asking me all these questions? Should I be concerned?" She said that no, it's just something she asks all women of my age. Over 35. WTF???!!
In Sweden, I asked my midwife if there were any special tests that I would get because of my age (also over 35 back then). She kind of gave me the look of "why?" And then said, no, there wasn't anything to be concerned about with my age. She said if we wanted any special tests we would have to go to a private doctor ... it wasn't part of the normal Swedish system.
Anyway, back to my U.S. anatomy scan ... they found something strange. She didn't really know what it was, which was kind of comforting since it didn't point to anything being wrong. But I have been more nervous than excited for the past two days. Thankfully, I got a little more clarity from my midwife today who said that it seems totally benign and is probably part of normal development. And that it wasn't until recently that we really started looking at the baby with such scrutiny — now we're finding stuff and are like what the heck is that? On one hand, it's great that we have such sophisticated tests and tools to look at stuff (like being able to find out we're having a boy!), but then it just makes you super-obsessed about every little thing you find. This thing they found is the size of a pinhead!
I know you can't have it all, but if someone could just give me my Swedish baby clothes shops and Swedish medical system, I would be a much happier Portlander. Tack.
I'm hoping to open up a Spirit store in New York when I move. Just for me. Complete with non-slip socks.
Posted by: Vanessa | March 23, 2011 at 01:26 PM
If you send me your address, I'll hook you up with the latest Lindex newborn fashion for your little one and OF COURSE something for Sophie as well. I'll be at that store anyways shopping away, I might as well get "two" of everything :)
Posted by: Nina | March 23, 2011 at 02:52 PM
This is pretty hilarious to me, because I can't STAND Swedish baby clothes and want to get everything in the US. Also I would LOVE an obsessively-detailed ultrasound/prenatal testing here in Sweden! I even remember being all pissed I couldn't find sticky socks for my kiddo here in Sweden. Try The Children's Place in the US, or you can make your own with puffy paint on the bottom.
Posted by: Antropologa | March 24, 2011 at 01:01 AM
I think I would feel exactly like you're feeling. I didn't get one internal exam during my whole pregnancy -- not one! I thought that was a little extreme, but I loved that I never felt like I was "sick." And I always felt like if something seemed wrong, they would be on top of it. Like, for example, when I didn't feel the baby moving for a day, they took me completely seriously, despite their laid-back attitude. I love the Swedish approach to pregnancy because it doesn't make you choose between two extremes: 100% medical, 100% natural. I know the middle ground exists in the US also, but from seeing my friends' experiences, it requires a lot of time and energy to find it.
On a lighter note, Baby Gap has good grippy socks for toddlers!
Posted by: Amy | March 24, 2011 at 03:25 AM
Eva: you're crazy :)
Nina: you are too nice. (But if I see something I'm dying to have, perhaps I'll buy it online since I still have a Swedish bank account and then reimburse you for shipping.)
V: I won't turn down a U.S. Spirit store but I think we have a few years before Sophie will be shopping there!
Amy: Baby Gap seems to think that children over 2 don't need grippies anymore. (!!!) They haven't met my clutsy daughter.
Posted by: ginny | March 24, 2011 at 08:22 AM
Yep. It's the same in Denmark—according to a friend of mine who had both of her children after 35. In Denmark, they are like, "so…?" And whoa, do they love the babies here. If I had a baby I would know half the town by now instead of 20 (of the more outgoing Danes) who dared to get to know me.
Can you pretend you're in Sweden and let the worries take a back seat for a while?
Hang in there! *a
Posted by: angie | March 24, 2011 at 09:01 AM
They have Polarn och Pyret here in US now. You can find some nice stuff on sale:)
http://www.polarnopyretusa.com/
I know its not Lindex, you know there is also an H&M in Portland. Or maybe even a few! I got some newborn jeans that are suuper cute!
I live in Seattle and just we just adopted our first. Can't wait for the parents to come and visit from Göteborg.
Posted by: Cecilia | March 25, 2011 at 06:40 PM
Just bought clothes on Polarn O. Pyret's website. So cute!
They are running a deal with the Swedish School for Children in DC, which is open to anyone. A $40 gift certificate for $20. The school's website has info how to get it online: http://www.svenskaskolanwashingtondc.org/en.
Posted by: Mia | March 29, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Ginny:
Your story sounds like my Brit friend , Barbara's experience w/ an US OB/GYN. She says the midwives in the UK are so much more laid back too.
Congrats on the new baby and I'm glad you're loving Portland.
We're living in Minneapolis now. It's very Swedish-lite. 7 months of cold and clouds, but we love it!
Posted by: Sue from Minneapolis (Yes, we moved!) | May 01, 2011 at 10:25 AM