About two weeks after the birth of your baby a health nurse (helsesøster) will call to make a home appointment with you.  You don’t have to have one (this time we chose not to) but it is a good idea for first time mothers. The health nurse visit is for you to discuss any concerns [...]

In the first couple of days after birth the baby goes through a series of standard tests and checks.  This is no different in Norway, however, I find that Norwegian Maternity staff rarely tell you what they are up to. As soon as the baby arrives the midwife will check over the baby – breathing, [...]

* Warning: Some of the information in this post is not for the faint-of-heart.  I feel that the information is important for two reasons: 1. It gives an example of the ideas and procedures of the Norwegian birthing system, and 2. I have yet to find any resources that discuss some of the ‘secret’ things [...]

Roan Magnus was born August 2009, weighing 4.25 kilograms and measuring 53cm. Roan (r-r-roo-ahn) means ‘tree with red berries‘ or Rowan Tree.  The Rowan tree provides food for the birds during the long, cold winters. Magnus, after Farfar, means ‘great‘ in Latin and is a royal name in Norway.  It was a popular name during [...]