So I havent' posted here in while.. oops. But being pregnant, working everyday, then giving private lessons every afternoon really wore me out. But i'm now offically on maternity leave! YAY!
Mexican maternity leave means 6 weeks before the baby is due and 6 weeks afterwards. It more time overall than the usual in the states, but less time with the actual baby. (i think its like 8 weeks after the baby, but only 1 or 2 before) I have to say, I have been presently surprised and impressed with the mexican health care system. Of course, its not perfect, its got a lot of problems, but its much more advanced than the US. For example, everyone who works gets free health care. period. No co-pay or any mess like that. If you don't work, you can pay into the system (very little, btw) and get free health care as well. Of course, ou don't have your choice of doctor.. you have one assigned to you. Many people would hate this, and it is understandable, however there is a great upside to this public system. The fact that you can get FREE decent health care means that the private health care system has to offer something extra, or no one would use it at all. This means that the cost of PRIVATE health care is cheap! I go to both private and public (i have to go to the public a certain number of times to qualify for my 100% maternity leave payment) and my private doctor I only pay about $30-40 everytime I go, and I get an ultrasound just about everytime. When I got my addendix taken out 2 years ago (a major surgery, althought routine) it only cost me $300, in a private clinic. Can you imagine what it would have cost in a hospital in the states? Much less a private clinic!
Anyway, things are going quite well, I'm currently in week 35 (out of 40) and don't really have much to complain about. Sometimes its hard to get a good breath, but i can usually stand up real straight for a while or lay down and Natalia will move a little. My belly is quite large for me, but in comparasion with the other mexican women down here, its tiny. I guess thats the benefit of being tall- Natalia has more room to move! She doesn't have to push straight out- most women down here have HUGE bellies at 8 months.
We had a baby shower a few weeks ago. You can see pictures here on facebook if you haven't seen them already. My mother-in-law had some taken too- I'll put those up as soon as I get a digital copy.
The house is getting in order too- We've got the crib and clothes and diapers ready. I still have a little decorating to do before i'll post pictures of everything, but hopefully this weekend Carlos can hang up the last of everything and I'll post on Monday. In the mean time, you'll have to deal with a new belly picture!
