Abrams Family World Travel

Kobra: One Year On...Her Amazing Birth Story Remembered

I FEEL like crying when I think about my daughter's first birthday. Already so much has happened in her little life. I can hardly believe a year has passed. Having Kobra in my life is one of the most magical gifts I have ever received. Even her arrival story is quite a spectacular one…

We were living in Piracanga, an eco village in Bahia, Brazil. The air was heavy with expectancy. There were three ladies heavily pregnant, two of whom were due any day, like me. The community was also preparing for an Avatar course. Many outsiders had come to participate and just as many community members were planning on attending. 

Adding to the weight of the already soupy environment was the slight discrepancy over who would be permitted to attend my birth. Allow me to digress to two months prior to Kobra's arrival for a moment to fill in some of the background details. 

While we were in Piracanga there was one senior midwife who served the community. I met her briefly, shortly after our arrival to Piracanga. It was during that one encounter with her that the seed of doubt was planted in me. Could I trust this woman to be present at my birth in the way I needed her to be? 

Then stories of other births that had taken place in Piracanga began to pour in - birth stories that I knew I didn't want for myself or my baby. I knew exactly what I needed in the persons attending my birth. Also, on a very deep level, I intuited  (I mean I literally felt with every parcel of my being) how this birth would unfold.

Unfortunately, I don't think it is very common knowledge that those who surround a birthing woman have an enormous impact on how she will birth. So to be absolutely sure that I would not be adversely affected during my process I had to know that my midwife would be fully on board with my wishes. 

There was also the minor detail of whether she would actually be in Piracanga. She was a highly experienced and sought-after midwife who travelled almost continuously. So would she really be there in the moment of need?

These weren't the thoughts I wanted swirling away in my head weeks before I was due to give birth. Faced with these impossible questions, I turned to one of my dearest friends in the UK, a natural birth and mothering advocate. She promptly posted me her book Birthkeepers. It couldn't have arrived at a better time. I devoured the book in 48 hours and felt ultra-confident with my birthing position - to go it alone without a midwife.

I am sure that must sound ludicrous, possibly irresponsible to some, but this is my story related to my body and baby. I knew my baby and body better than anyone. I also know what a woman's body is capable of given the right circumstances (I had this experience with Zenchai's birth, too).

I felt relieved that a decision had been made. I could just get on with the late days of pregnancy. Well, so I thought. 

Of course word spread, as it does in small communities, about my 'lawless' decision. This for very obvious reasons raised the hairs on many peoples' backs. I held my ground firmly. The bones in my body told me how my birth would be (these are the same bones that told me when I first met Claude we would make children together). I was not afraid.

I reluctantly agreed to meet with the midwife once more (interpreter on hand as her English was limited and my Portuguese abysmal). The encounter was rather peculiar. She got out her laptop and showed us pictures and videos of births she had attended. I guess she was trying to show us examples of her work. But most of the images I found unsettling. She was the prominent focus of every photo, gloved hands reaching in and taking babies from beneath their mothers, like a heroine. The video I could hardly watch. I was feeling even more strongly that she was not the right match for me.

Then she packed her computer away and got up to leave like we had signed the agreement she would attend the birth. It was an awkward moment, but I called her back. It was not the kind of birth I wanted (by the way, I think I should mention for those that don't know me very well, that I am not anti-midwife, but I had very strict criteria that needed to be met). 

After she sat back down, I did a little air-clearing. I expressed to her precisely what I wanted in a midwife. If she was willing to abide then we had a deal. But, again deep down, I wasn't sure I would need her. I knew this baby was going to come fast. Claude and I, often in semi-jest, talked about how there would be no time to get her when I went into labour and I would have my freebirth as I truly wished.

Once again with things ironed out, I relaxed into the idea of enjoying my last few weeks of carrying a baby in my womb, after all this could be the last time. Just as the dust nearly settled, I came down with two staph infections on my foot.

They started out as insect bites. I must have gone crazy scratching them, causing them to become infected. It all happened very quickly. I began properly cleaning the wounds as were the resident doctor's orders. But a week had gone by and they were getting worse, in particular the one above my ankle. It had turned into a gaping wound at least the size of an American quarter. 

I was adamant that I didn't want to take antibiotics, especially so late in my pregnancy. This is when a medicine lady appeared. I began undergoing treatments with her. But it was by far the most excruciating thing I have ever felt. Each day for sometimes hours she pulled away the diseased flesh from my skin with her bare fingers. With tears streaming down my cheeks, I would wonder why all this was happening and what my poor baby must be feeling.

Everything had gone very bleak. I was at my lowest point. Would this infection heal so I could focus on giving birth? 

I was laid-up almost continually, trying to recover and not feel the agonising pain of my wounds. Self-reproach was another common emotion. I desperately wanted to be playing and interacting with Zenchai before our lives changed forever, not some housebound invalid. 

I was now days away from my due date. Something had to give. After very careful consideration, I decided to use very small amounts of antibiotic cream on my wounds. I was still receiving daily cleanings from our resident doctor and my midwife. Both were pleased with the progress we had started to make by using the cream. The wounds were getting smaller and less painful. As a reward for progress made, I was allowed a swim in the river (I had been dying to swim in the beautiful waters, to float and be without gravity, something I hadn't enjoyed for at least three weeks). Zenchai and I zipped merrily down to the river at low tide, our favourite time, when the water was warm and red in colour. We played and splashed. I felt like a new woman.

Returning to the beginning of the story, the air in Piracanga was feeling hot, salty and pregnant with expectation. It was three days until the full moon. The midwife had predicted that one of us with buns in the oven would be ready to pop with magnetism of the full moon upon us. 

It was a normal day. I had been feeling emotional, so decided to take a nap in the hammock. The doctor came to check and clean my wounds as usual. He asked how I was and when I tried to explain I felt all fuzzy in my head. We both put it down to my body trying to fight the infection and the heat of the day. Later a friend came by to offer me a massage. Feeling blue, the timing was right. She lovingly rubbed my shoulders, head and back and ended it by giving me deeksha. After such a treat, I felt so much better.

That evening we were going to another friend's for a bonfire party. Before we went, Claude, Zenchai and I had a quick meal up on one of the top sun decks, enjoying a splendid sunset. At dusk we made our way to the fire. Everyone was there. It was buzzing (by Piracanga standards). I saw the midwife there. She was drinking a caiporienha (typical Brazialian alcoholic beverage). I whispered in a joking way that I hoped I wasn't the one going into labour that night! 

Popcorn was being served and as I took a handful of it I thought "I am not sure I want to eat this. I really love popcorn, but if I go into labour I will be sure to throw this up and go off it for quite sometime." I indulged anyway. It was only a small chance that I would go into labour that night, right?

It was getting late and we needed to get Zenchai to sleep, so we began our walk along the moonlit paths back to our house. We bumped into a couple of visitors who were lost and trying to find their way back to their lodgings. As we showed them the way, the woman asked when I was due. I casually replied "Oh, any time now."

We all crawled into bed and retired for the night. It didn't feel like I was in bed long when I woke-up with that all-too-familiar late pregnancy sensation that my bladder required urgent attention. As I trundled over Zenchai, I wasn't sure if I would make it to my bucket (strategically placed near our bed so I wouldn't have to climb my way down the stairs each night to wee amongst any potential creepy crawlies). 

Immediately after I got out of bed I knew things were happening. I got my sleepy head straight and woke Claude from his slumber. He needed to begin preparing my birthing space ASAP. I walked out to our balcony overlooking our garden glowing under the moon's light. I bent over the railing and had a very strong contraction. My rushes were coming thick and fast. I decided to reach down and feel my bits. The sensation was unreal. It was like I had found the baby eject button. If I didn't move my hand back to the railing then this baby was for sure going to shoot straight out of me right there and then. 

I mumbled to Claude that I was going to make my way to the bathroom. I wanted to evacuate before this baby really came. I made it to the landing just in time for another powerful surge. I caught my breath and made it to the bathroom. By this point I was very vocal. Later we were told most of the village could hear my primal sounds.

I sat on the toilet. Oh, the relief to be sat there. I was having a continuous flow of rushes. Claude very meekly tried to persuade me to come off the toilet as we had an agreement that under no circumstances was I to birth on the toilet again (Zenchai was born on the toilet and I believed I had torn in that labour due to the circulation not flowing properly). I am not sure if I answered him. But he promptly began bringing the birthing mats and paraphernalia from upstairs to the bathroom floor. 

Claude then gently aided me to the floor. I got on my knees and gripped the sink counter for dear life. This baby was coming and fast. My body was bearing down and at the same time the skies opened and began bearing down sheets of rain. I reached down once more to feel myself and there was the head. It felt like nothing I have ever touched. It was wet and squidgy. My thinking brain was long gone. I began to semi-panic. Calling out "what is this I am feeling?" I felt like I had been shouting for help for hours. I just couldn't connect the dots that it was my baby's head. 

I felt as if I was alone in the bathroom with only faint candle light even though Claude was actually right behind me. I peered out the door of the bathroom and saw a shadow. It was not Claude's. I knew we were alone in the house. I could feel my eyes getting small. I felt like a leopard protecting her den and began shouting "Who  is that? Who is here?" Claude appeared before me and told me that the midwife had gotten word that I was in labour and that she was there. (An apprentice midwife had been camping on the neighbour's land and heard my noises. She made a split-second decision to get the midwife to me in top speed.)

I relaxed and put away my claws. My focus was once more back to this baby emerging from me. Prior to labour I told Claude that I wanted to be the one to receive our baby, the first one to touch him/her, as he was the one who caught Zenchai. 

But this baby was on rocket fuel. I could not let go of the counter. I needed help and pretty damn quick! Claude motioned for the midwife to come in. And within seconds of her crouching below me our baby had entered the world. 

She handed our slippery baby to me. I leaned on my heels and held her close. I was in shock. Everything had happened so rapidly. It felt like an eternity before I properly looked to see if we had a girl or boy. Just as I had dreamed, we had had a healthy, plump girl.  I quickly asked the assistant midwife what the time was. She checked her watch. It was 11.30pm. I noted she was born on the 15th and not the 16th.

Within 10 minutes of her arrival my afterbirth came just as speedily. And as I looked down at my baby's placenta, I was half-surprised to find it wasn't another baby. Part of me had thought that maybe there were two in my womb. The midwife took a tiny piece of the placenta and offered it to me to eat. I refused (this had been another sticky topic with her as she was adamant that women should eat a bit of their placenta for all its healing powers).

I held my bundle firmly as our midwife and her assistant checked me over for tearing and despite not birthing on the toilet I still tore. She expertly stitched me by torchlight, then helped to shower me and got me ready to bed down with my new baby girl.

Claude and I had planned to lotus birth her (allowing the umbilical cord to fall away naturally instead of cutting it), but as I got into bed that night, for the second time I had visions of ants blanketing us to get to the placenta. We spoke with her about what was going to happen and then allowed the midwife to cut the cord.

The midwife and her assistant left. Claude and I looked at each other in astonishment. Had we really just had a baby? We had already decided that if we had a girl her name would be Kobra.

That night I slept with Kobra, listening to the continual rain falling. I remember waking up once and having to remind myself that I had a baby in bed with me.

The next morning Zenchai had the surprise of meeting his new sister. He had slept through the whole affair but was rather pleased to have a new sibling.

When the midwives returned we spoke about the night's events. Apparently, the assistant midwife's watch had broken and she had told us the wrong time of birth. Our clock had stopped working, too. So she asked around the village to find out if anyone noted the time they heard me stop making sounds and Kobra's first cry. They concluded that it was around 12.30am, so she indeed was born on the 16th not the 15th. But a huge part of me really thinks she was born on the 15th. I guess we'll never know for certain.

We then deduced that Kobra's birth was between 30-45 minutes from start to finish. She really was in a hurry to meet us.

This was also the time when the midwife offered me once again to eat a piece of placenta. She was very concerned for me, especially as I still had the two staph infections. She did not want it to get worse or spread to the baby. I reluctantly agreed to have some but only if it could be blended with some acai (berries) to hide the colour and taste. 

Claude was delighted to take up his place in the kitchen. He made me a placenta smoothie, which I drank without any hiccups. The coconut milk and acai totally drowned out any possible placenta taste. And, for the record, my staph infections went away almost immediately after I gave birth - no doubt due to Claude's culinary wizardry.

So in the end everything happened harmoniously. Kobra's birth was extraordinary on so many levels. And everything worked out superbly with the midwife. 

Today, I give special honour to my little rocket baby, Kobra Rain Abrams. Already at one you are a reservoir of bliss, joy and happiness. I love you with all of my heart. Happy Birthday baby!

 

 

World Travel: Five Moments To Savour In 2011

  

  

BIRTH OF KOBRA  

 

I feel privileged to have been present – and actively so – when both my children were born. I caught Zenchai. But with Kobra it was slightly different.

 

Although Jamie gave birth to her in the toilet, as she did for Zenchai, she had been in labour mostly by herself for roughly 45 minutes – no more. It was pouring with rain outside the Brazilian beach home where we were living and pitched black.

 

Our midwife arrived in the nick of time and by chance, with Jamie on her knees and ready for Kobra’s arrival. It was a magical feeling and occasion.

 

 

 

  

 

 LIVING ON LIGHT FOR 21 DAYS

 

The idea of going without food for three weeks and both food and water for the first seven of them seemed ludicrous. But I had the most extraordinary time by myself - thinking, feeling, being and without hardly any stress in the most beautiful, natural surroundings in Serra Grande, Bahia, Brazil.

 

Although I lost a lot of weight and strength, I gained so much in terms of perspective, understanding, direction, strength of mind and peace.

 

 

VISITING THE AWESOME IGUAZU FALLS 

 

I’d been saying almost from the time we arrived in Argentina that I wanted to go to Iguazu. I’d seen the photos and felt it was too far to go to not see in person.

 

Because Jamie was becoming more heavily pregnant, I opted to go alone. I took a 16-hour bus ride there and was greeted upon my arrival with a thunderstorm which raged for hours.

 

I got soaked, but the rain soon passed and what I witnessed was absolutely immense. A speedboat journey into the falls was the undoubted highlight of the visit. The same day I headed back to Buenos Aires by bus – taking 18 hours – but it was worth it!

 

 

 

WATCHING ZENCHAI LEARN TO SWIM AND KAYAK BY HIMSELF 

 

Zenchai can be ambivalent towards water. Some days I couldn't get him out of the ocean or river and on others it was painful trying to encourage him to take a dip. He's an extremist after all.

 

In spite of this, we spent many hours together splashing around. It wasn't until late into our eight-month stay in Piracanga, Bahia that Zenchai took an interest in kayaking. Around the same time his swimming seemed to blossom.

 

I don't know if, overall, his confidence was soaring, but after I'd made several failed attempts to teach him to kayak, a few days later I saw him paddling up and down the river like a pro all by himself.

 

And then a matter of days later when Zenchai and I were down by the river alone, he'd made his way across without me. Inexplicably, he jumped in when the tide was rising and current strong.

 

I heard him shout for help, saying his feet couldn't touch the ground, but instead of going under, he was thrashing his arms, freestyle, and staying afloat. I didn't want to panic him by rushing, so walked towards him as quickly as I could. He continued swimming until I arrived. Proud moment.

 

SEEING AND HEARING MY CHILD SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE 

  

This is nothing new. Children learn to speak new languages all the time. But when I saw and heard it with my own eyes and ears it still felt wonderful.

 

Zenchai spent only three months in a Brazilian school, but he also mixed a lot with native-speaking children.

 

Everyone kept saying when we arrived that he'd be speaking Portuguese in no time, but I couldn't imagine it.

 

However, he transitioned amazingly well and by the time we left Brazil he was singing in Portuguese and using his new language when playing by himself.

World Travel: A Birthing Inspiration - Book Review

The birthing experience I shared with my wife for my second child in a remote eco village in Brazil would, I suspect, have been completely different had it not been for Veronika Sophia Robinson.

I trust wholeheartedly in her writing and what she has to say. Her words carry authority and integrity. They are delivered with knowledge, experience and sensitivity.

She is the editor and publisher of the superb magazine, The Mother, which is all about attachment parenting and raising children in an optimum way. Her book, The Birthkeepers, is specifically about freebirthing - giving birth the way nature had intended.

As she states in the subheading on the book's cover, Veronika writes about 'Reclaiming an Ancient Tradition'.

I had only a vague knowledge of freebirthing - from when Jamie had talked to me about it prior to the birth of Kobra. If I am honest, I had some initial concerns even if I was prepared to fully support my wife's choice. After all, I am from a generation that, largely due to television and media, has been taught that most women give birth on their backs in hospitals - and in great pain!

Since knowing Jamie, I have been educated to know it certainly doesn't have to be that way.

Jamie and I had contacted a respected midwife before we arrived in Piracanga. But, for whatever reason, as events unfolded, Jamie felt a preference to give birth by herself, alone.

That intuition was compounded when a package from England arrived a few days after Jamie had revealed to me her desire. It was a book. We didn't know precisely what it was about, but knew it had something to do with childbirth as it had come from Veronika.

It was all about freebirthing. I read it in next to no time, as did Jamie. The information was clear. And, most importantly, I connected with the function on every level. I felt secure and informed. I understood the role I needed to play.

Like Jamie, I found it empowering and inspiring. It was not just for prospective mums, but for dads-to-be also.

As Veronika says in the book's introduction, "I merely acted to remind them [women on unassisted birthing journeys] that they had everything within them they needed to birth their babies beautifully and gently into this world."

Jamie had a wonderful second birth, owed in large part to Veronika's guidance and mentoring. Her book magically arrived at a time when, due to various mishaps (infections etc), we were searching for direction and clarity. We're so grateful that it had.

Piracanga: Birthing Story - A Dad's Perspective

We had been out for the evening at a community gathering at a friend's house. Heading home, we saw some lost newcomers to Piracanga. Jamie got talking to them. They asked when the baby was due. Jamie said, "anytime now."

I'm not sure Jamie sensed that was literally the case or not. But she knew it was possible. I led the Brazilian couple towards their accommodation and returned home.

Later that night it rained hard. But I was in a deep sleep downstairs. Then Jamie, who was upstairs with Zenchai, came down to wake me up. She said she had to call my name several times.

"I think the baby is coming," she said to me. You "think" is what went through my head. Tired, I thought about dropping back to sleep until Jamie would summon me with more certainty.

Instead, though, I listened. I could hear her contractions. And, as they were with Zenchai, there was barely any respite between them. I knew the baby was coming - and Jamie went back upstairs and leaned against a wooden beam as the rushes came and went.

I took my list of things to do and got started, trying not to be noticed and avoiding any communication unless necessary. Jamie told me to set everything up in the bedroom. I put padding on the floor, a large rubbish bag on top and then a sheet. I lit candles, got her some water, started washing the birthing stool etc.

But then Jamie disappeared. She went (downstairs) to the toilet, as happened for Zenchai's birth. Not wanting to interfere in her process, I waited. And waited. Then I went downstairs and observed her, head down, eyes closed, rocking side to side.

This is Jamie's birthing hypnotic trance dance, where she goes internally and connects with all her birthing instincts. I knew she wasn't going to change location. So I gathered everything from upstairs and brought it down to the toilet.

I never felt any anxiety. I had total trust and faith in Jamie's ability to birth naturally and freely, as was her intention. Perhaps my only concern was when I saw her on the toilet. She'd briefed me to remind her not to stay in that position. She'd spent five hours like that before delivering Zenchai and it had cut off some of her circulation.

So, as discreetly and gently as possible, I reminded her to stand or move. She got on her knees and worked her body to the sensations going through her. There was no interference. It was perfect.

The rain continued outside, often heavily. I wasn't in a position to call Suely, our midwife. We decided to go it alone, as Jamie had always felt confident to do from the beginning. Jamie didn't scream, but she made more noise than at Zenchai's birth. It was more like intense howling or groaning.

Some of the residents (when I spoke to them) said it was a very primal sound. This was a primal experience for sure. I enjoyed observing/watching, just as I did my son's birth. I only ever see this powerful side of Jamie when she goes into labour. It's amazing. I could hear that the intensity was immense. Things were moving fast.

The rain continued to fall hard. I came towards the end of my check list. Barely 30 minutes had elapsed. Then, almost out of nowhere, Suely appeared. I wondered how she knew what was going on (our neighbour, also pregnant and about to give birth, had a trainee midwife camping on their land. She took the decision to alert Suely).

My first instinct was to protect Jamie's birthing space. I didn't want anyone, not even the midwife, to cause Jamie to lose focus. Like a startled animal, Jamie sensed Suely's presence.

"Who's there?" she called, worry coming from her voice. I whispered to her that it was Suely and there was nothing to worry about.

I asked Suely to stay out of sight unless needed (we had told her in prior birth meetings that we wanted no intervention).

The toilet proved the perfect spot for Jamie to birth. She felt secure and hidden and couldn't see anything in the darkness outside, where Suely watched and monitored.

Then we reached the climax. But Jamie somehow lost her rhythm - the only flaw in an otherwise amazing birth.

The head was emerging. She felt it with her hand, but seemed to not trust her senses. "Is it the head?" she asked rather frantically. "Help me!"

I told Suely what Jamie had said. Suely reacted quickly and reached down. Like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat, Suely presented my daughter, Kobra, in one swoop.

I took her and handed Jamie her daughter. Kobra wasn't as big or slippery as I recall Zenchai (who was upstairs, fast asleep) being, but she weighed more (8.5lbs).

After all we - particularly Jamie - had been through prior to the birth, I felt relieved to see Kobra, alive and well. Jamie needed some stitches. She tore. But she was well. The placenta followed soon after.

Jamie wanted a lotus birth, but after keeping the placenta attached for a few hours, she chose to cut the cord, more for practical reasons. From beginning to end - when contractions began to baby born - it could not have been more than an hour. It felt closer to 40 minutes.

I felt proud and in awe of my wife and the whole natural birthing process. Kobra is now the youngest member of the community. Feminine energy is strong here. Amazingly, she's the eighth consecutive girl to be born in Piracanga. Another two girls are on the way.

Kobra is calm. She has brought peace to our family. Zenchai is energetic. Kobra's presence, though, seems to have added a much-needed balance to our tribe.

Buenos Aires: Pregnancy Resources

Loving all things to do with natural pregnancy, I quickly searched out some resources during my stay in Buenos Aires.  There are plenty of delicious activities for expectant mamas here. I wish I could have tried more of them, but there is only so much time in a day!

Pre/postnatal Yoga & Exercise

If you are looking for pre/postnatal yoga or other physical activities, try these: Tobinatal, Embarazo Activo (I contacted them for info on their yoga classes and they took a long time in responding and not even with the correct info.); Maternelle (your first class is free); Valle Tierra and Chris Lavalle (bilingual and she does aquatic pregnancy yoga, too).

Alternatively, use google (Argentina's version) and type "yoga para embarazadas" along with your suburb or area into the search bar and it will churn out many options.

Chiropractor

I also came across an American chiropractor, Dr. David Serio that specialises in adjusting pregnant women. I made several attempts to get an appointment, but he must be very good at what he does as he had very little availability. So, if this is the sort of thing, you need book well in advance! You will also have to commit to two visits. For both treatments it is $350 ARS (£55). His English-speaking assistant Laura can make a booking for you via email ([email protected]).

Pregnancy/Postpartum Massage

Most of the yoga studios offer this service. However, I was fortunate enough to have a massage with Ruth from Maternelle. Ruth is the first person to ever give me a strong massage during pregnancy. It was refreshing and exactly how I like to be dug into! Her working space was nice and she even had Enya playing in the background. Be warned if you are the shy type that you un/dress in front of her and there isn't any PC draping of towels/sheets over your intimate areas during the session. My one-hour treatment came to $135 ARS (£21), which I think is really reasonable given it usually costs upwards of £60 in the UK.

Doulas & Midwives

Unfortunately, I was unable to find any midwives (parteras) during my visit here. The system here is very medicalised, which means it is totally run through obstetricians. However, Hospital Universitario Austral claim to do birth without intervention. I did email them, but never had any response. 

 

World Travel: Pregnancy, Diet & Supplements

Travelling while pregnant hasn't been terribly different than when I was not. Well, with the exception that I am more obsessed with food than normal.

It can feel like a neurosis at times. I have to always know where my next meal is coming from - whether we are self-catering or dining out. Our out-and-about bag has to always have a nibble of some kind in it, too. But it really isn't unusual for me to be carrying a stash of food anyway, especially having an active kiddie that requires frequent refuelling.

Luckily, the health food stores here in Buenos Aires (called Dieteticas) have an array of seed/nut bars, chia-based biscuits and crackers and other easily transportable munchies.

I am also not undergoing the same meticulous antenatal care that I had with Zenchai. While I would love to have that attention, the art of midwifery has become some what lost, at least here in Argentina.

Their healthcare system in regards to pregnant women is very smilier to the US's approach - medically led by obstetricians and gynaecologists. This is so far from my own belief system that I cannot even entertain the thought of seeing a doctor. I think it goes without saying that I would obviously seek medical assistance if required, but definitely not for a normal, healthy pregnancy.

From a friend's recommendation, I was able to have an antenatal appointment with a midwife while we were in Trinidad. I have had a lead on a midwifery service here in Buenos Aires, but still have not managed to receive any contact back from them. To be honest, I am not that concerned if I don't have any appointments with a midwife while I am here in Argentina. I am in super health and pretty in tune with my body, plus I can often feel this little sprout wiggling away.

However, once we get to Brazil I will have a midwife and a community of people that support pregnant women.

I recently had a question from a reader, which is another facet of how I am keeping well while travelling pregnant.

"I am curious to know if you are taking any sort of prenatal supplementation aside from your diet?" she asked.

I often get queries like this one, not only because I am a long-time vegan with a penchant for raw foods, but because of our worldly travels.

In my first pregnancy I took supplements here and there. For the most part I couldn't handle the smell of my whole foods prenatal vitamin. I would often get lazy about all the other extras, except my probiotic, which I took religiously. When I go off of taking a supplement I have always put it down to my body telling me it's not the right time for that particular thing.

This pregnancy is special in that my diet is even cleaner vegan compared to my first. Plus, I had the big bonus of spending 3 weeks during my first trimester at Hippocrates Health Institute, eating an abundant supply of the healthiest food on the planet. Hippocrates recommended several supplements for me. However, I know my inability to stick to a rigorous regime of pill-popping. But I do take the essentials.

I also think it is worth mentioning that all supplements should come from a whole foods source - not synthetically created in a lab, like Centrum or other popular cheap brands. You can read more about this in Dr. Brian Clement's riveting book Supplements Exposed.

Here are my supplements:

• LiveGive HHI- Zyme Digestive Aids - (digestive enzymes)
• LiveGive Power Powder (blue-green algae)
• Ortho Bone Vegan (calcium)
• Probiotic
• Rainbow Complete Prenatal Vitamin
• Chlorella
• B12
• Omega-Zen (marine algae based omega-3)
• Chia or Mila (for omegas etc)
• Sun Warrior Protein Powder (when I have it available to me - to help keep my blood sugar regular)

I know it looks like a long list, but I don't take them all everyday. Maybe I should, but the reality is that I don't have an easy time swallowing capsules or tablets (read below for my tip on how I make it more like child's play).

I make a blended something or other every day, in which I will break open my enzymes, power powder and calcium, plus I'll add my daily portion of chia seeds to it, too. Basically, I will open up and pour the contents of my capsules on or in food whenever/wherever possible.

Another motivation for taking these supplements is to lighten the load of our suitcases. Carrying all these little capsules adds up very quickly in the weight department, which most airlines are not sympathetic to.

Also, before leaving the UK I consulted a homeopath. During the consultation she gave me a tissue salt programme for pregnancy using the New Era biochemic salts. The tissue salt programme is followed to help both mother and baby maintain optimum nutrition and balance the mineral content of the body. So I have those to factor in as well. (Anyone interested in the programme just pop me an email at jamie at abramsfamilyworldtravel dot com and I'll send you the details.)

I feel really blessed to be in a situation where I can make so many choices and decisions about my pregnant body. I know many women the world over do not have this Western luxury even though many of them have a much better system of care for the birthing woman.

AbramsFamilyWorldTravel Tip:

Okay, for capsules place them in your mouth, take a swig of water and then take your chin towards your chest. Now swallow. Capsules hold air and will naturally float to the back of your throat, making them easier to down. I can usually take more in one go using this method.

For tablets do the opposite. Place them in your mouth, take a sip of water and your chin upwards. There is not the same amount, if any air, in a tablet. Their dense nature allows them to gravitate towards your throat, making them easier to pass.

Receiving this tip from a friend at Hippocrates was a revelation. Let me know how you get on with it!

Trinidad: Mamatoto

I had my first antenatal check-up while we were in Trinidad.

There is a lovely place called Mamatoto Resource & Birth Centre. This little birthing sanctuary opened about two years ago and has helped give Trinidadian women a safe birthing alternative to the standarized, medicalized hospital birth that is still very common there. 

Unfortunately, first-time mothers are discouraged to try for homebirth and many obstetricians will not support their birthing choice. Mamatoto gives these women a chance to have a truly natural, organic experience. Their belief is that all women should have this opportunity and in this spirit they also give pro bono care to ladies that would not otherwise be able to access their services.

In addition to the homey birthing rooms they have a library and resource room, a classroom for pre/postnatal yoga and antenatal classes and a wall dedicated to all the children that were born in their centre.

Mamatoto was all too happy to care for me just like I was one of their own. My midwife carefully went through my history, checked my fundus, weight, blood pressure and all the usual things that happen in an antenatal visit. At 14-weeks everything looked as it should and much to Claude's delight we heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time.

Our one-off visit cost us the equivelant to about £25, which we thought was very reasonable.

Now, I have the challenge of securing a visit with a patera (midwife) at some point while we are in Argentina. Wish me luck!