An ultrasound examination has become a regular part of prenatal check-ups.  In Norway it is standard to have one around your 18th week of pregnancy.  During the examination the doctor will check the size of the baby’s head, legs, spine, etc, and also check organs such as the heart and stomach.  You will likely be [...]

Nowadays most people find out they are pregnant through a home pregnancy test. When they test positive the next step is to book a doctors appointment. In Norway this is called a pregnancy check-up (Svangerskapskontroll) and (because the compound word is such a mouthful) medical practitioners often use the word ‘kontroll’ (or control in English). [...]

This post is a general introduction to pregnancy and birth in Norway.  In future posts in this series “Having a Baby in Norway” I will go through procedures, information and experiences in detail.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask in the comments section below so everyone can benefit from the answers. [...]

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 [...]