Christmas Celebrations and the Norwegian Medical System
Like every Christmas, we over-eat, over-spend and make a New Years resolution that next Christmas things will be different. Last year, (Christmas 2008), I definitely had my fair share of pepperkaker, trimmings and marsipan pigs. A week after Christmas I had to walk around with the top button on my pants undone!
Then came the heaviness, the sleepiness and the uncomfortableness – the second button had to come undone. I was definitely sick. You might have noticed that I haven’t posted in a while, since Christmas, actually. Food just wasn’t my thing anymore. Even the smell of it made me run to the loo. Finally, Moose dragged me to the doctors and even though I hadn’t eaten for a week, we discovered I had a bun in the oven. Phew! I’m glad it wasn’t the Christmas rib.
You know the first thing I thought was… well, the second thing actually: What an excellent opportunity to document a patients point of view about the Norwegian Medical System. I have been through the process once before in Norway, with Lilu, who is now one, and it is a very peculiar thing to go through, to be so vulnerable in a strange place where you don’t speak the language and are considered a foreigner. This time I’m sure I will have more of an objective point of view as I have a goal to document my journey. I will also be presenting information on the Norwegian Medical System, especially concentrating on the Prenatal care, Birthing and Midwifery services as well as baby’s first year, that I trust you will find helpful. However, I will also draw from my personal experiences from my previous pregnancy, especially about the bond that I shared with an American and a Russian as we travelled through the heartache, fear and joy of difficult pregnancies in a foreign country.
As the introduction of this two year series, let me welcome you on this exciting journey and I look forward to discussing the process with you and reading your comments. I hope that the information that I will be providing and documenting will be a valuable resource to all those interested in Norway and the Norwegian medical system but especially to those who are new to Norway or who are planning to make Norway their home.
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Flower Show Series: Arctic Botanical Garden Selection – Tromsø
Pølse is THE fast food of Norway. When the grilled pølse was first introduced to Norway in the 50s it was eaten naked – without bread.
Towards the water in a beautiful pocket of leafy oak trees is the Byneset Church.
Many Norwegians know what they are doing when they pick wild mushrooms. This knowledge is passed down the family during mushroom hunting trips. The hard-core mushroom hunters go into the mountain wilderness for days to get the best finds.
How Norway became a country is shrouded in mystery and folklore. The most well known tale is of Harald Hårfagre who gathered the small kingdoms of the north into a unified nation in 872AD – and of course, this story is about love.
The sun never goes down during this season but the mountains to the East are so high that the sun still has to raise above them in the morning hours and an artificial dawn-effect wakes the city.
Congratulations to you and Moose!!!! I’m so excited for you two and also for Lilu to have a sibling. I love this idea of yours; documenting your journey through the Norwegian medical system. I’m particularly glad that I can be on that journey with you from afar. Your blogging friends are just a click away, L-Jay! Much love and happiness to you.
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From L-Jay:
Thank you. I know that the Norwegian medical system is said to be great but there are still cultural differences that an immigrant needs to adjust to. I hope it will be, especially to those studying medicine etc.
Congratulations! Many blessings on your whole family…
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From L-Jay:
Tusen takk!
Congratulations! I can’t wait to hear all about it – I find the differences in pre (and post)-natal care across countries really vast and interesting.
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From L-Jay:
I’ve experienced the medical systems for pregnancy in three countries and I’ve learnt that you just have to go with the flow.
Hello, I’ve been reading your blog for some time. Interesting topic: I am arriving in Norway from Australia in less than 2 weeks to spend 6 months as a medical student doing obstetrics, gynacology and pediatrics! So I will be discovering the medical system with you.
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From L-Jay:
Hi AS!
Ah, you are going to love it here. In some way Norwegians seem very Australian with their laid-back attitude and their ‘no worries’ approach. And some are quite daggy! lol. But if you ever make it to Tromsø – give us a shout.
How exciting!!! 2009 is going to be awesome for you.
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From L-Jay:
I believe it will be! Takk.
Yeah! Congratulations! I’m very interested in your coverage as well. I’ll be moving to Norway in April, and we plan to start a family there.
congratulations!!!
what a great way to start the year
Hi
Just to say many congratulations! We have just got back from a trip to Tromso – had a great time and loved Tromso and the surrounding area – no lights for us but think it is just a good excuse to come back again! I hope your pregnancy turns out to be easier than last time.
Gratulere.
Hey Moose, I’m wondering if you could shoot an email to me with some pics of farfar and morfar, and that piano playing brother of yours. I haven’t seen anyone in years and would love to see how they are doing.
Later