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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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 Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:46 am Post subject: Pregnancy, babies and TEFLing |
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Ok, cat's out of the bag. I'm pregnant, 3 months, due early November. I told my boss yesterday and was happily surprised at how he received the news. We plan on staying in Asia for a while and raising kids, we'd like to have another in a couple years actually.
Anyways, I'd like to hear from other women in my situation:
How was going back to work after being pregnant?
Anything you wish you knew then that you know now?
Anyone in a third country: neither yours nor your partners? That's a bit of an issue for us as my husband's visa is dependent on my job. I'm working towards a permanent visa, but it's going to take a while. |
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Zero
Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 1402
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Wow ... I'm not a female, and won't offer advice, but congratulations! This is truly joyful news. |
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Ariadne
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 960
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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Glad to hear your happy news.
Childcare can be a problem anywhere. Seems that just when you find the perfect person they move or get sick or something else and you are back searching. And before you say how your husband (or mother or auntie) will always be there for you, keep in mind that sometimes you might want to go somewhere with that person and without the baby.
Hope you have a fun and uneventful pregnancy. The whole deal really is a miracle. Enjoy.
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks so much. thanks for the PMs as well. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats! What kind of maternity leave do you get where you are?
My girlfriend got a total of 84 days mat leave in Mexico, as mandated by social insurance, 42 days before, and 42 days after. We got an extra 7 days as the baby was late. We both found the mat leave scheme here insufficient, particularly the requirement to have the 42 days before the birth. She felt she could have worked right up to about a week before and would have liked those days for after the birth. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
Congrats! What kind of maternity leave do you get where you are?
My girlfriend got a total of 84 days mat leave in Mexico, as mandated by social insurance, 42 days before, and 42 days after. We got an extra 7 days as the baby was late. We both found the mat leave scheme here insufficient, particularly the requirement to have the 42 days before the birth. She felt she could have worked right up to about a week before and would have liked those days for after the birth. |
90 days, 45 before and 45 after. but I have 5 months vacation, so won't be taking it all. Plus, I've been told that only two months are fully paid and the other, I don't know how much.
I'm due 4 Nov. according to the doc. I think they're wrong  it's the 2nd.
Will probably be taking all of October and November off. so basically just work September and then have exams and grading in December for 2 weeks. Basically just sitting and watching presentations and giving a simple final exam that'll probbaly be 20 minutes. I'll probably only get 5 classes, which is the minimum, so will only have to be at work for about 15 hours. Then get 10 weeks off until classes start again in March. though honestly, I think I'd volunteer to work a couple weeks. They have extra courses, they run for about 1.5 hours a day. That would be fine, bring in extra money, get me out of the house, present myself in a good light to my employer.
I've been lucky. The Ministry of Labour says it's perfectly legal to fire pregnatn women, as long as they're given 30 days notice. So I will complete my contract. Getting renewed, I don't know. I'm goign to be sending out my CV just in case.
I'm hoping to stay where I am though, the hours are good, pay is fantastic, and the vacations are wonderful. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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I assume this your first? Congrats again...we have another on the way, due in late October.
Mat leave sounds the same as here, and for us the timing works out well with my girlfriend starting the school year off but then off only a couple of weeks in and through Christmas season. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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| naturegirl321 wrote: |
| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
Congrats! What kind of maternity leave do you get where you are?
My girlfriend got a total of 84 days mat leave in Mexico, as mandated by social insurance, 42 days before, and 42 days after. We got an extra 7 days as the baby was late. We both found the mat leave scheme here insufficient, particularly the requirement to have the 42 days before the birth. She felt she could have worked right up to about a week before and would have liked those days for after the birth. |
90 days, 45 before and 45 after. but I have 5 months vacation, so won't be taking it all. Plus, I've been told that only two months are fully paid and the other, I don't know how much.
I'm due 4 Nov. according to the doc. I think they're wrong it's the 2nd.
Will probably be taking all of October and November off. so basically just work September and then have exams and grading in December for 2 weeks. Basically just sitting and watching presentations and giving a simple final exam that'll probbaly be 20 minutes. I'll probably only get 5 classes, which is the minimum, so will only have to be at work for about 15 hours. Then get 10 weeks off until classes start again in March. though honestly, I think I'd volunteer to work a couple weeks. They have extra courses, they run for about 1.5 hours a day. That would be fine, bring in extra money, get me out of the house, present myself in a good light to my employer.
I've been lucky. The Ministry of Labour says it's perfectly legal to fire pregnatn women, as long as they're given 30 days notice. So I will complete my contract. Getting renewed, I don't know. I'm goign to be sending out my CV just in case.
I'm hoping to stay where I am though, the hours are good, pay is fantastic, and the vacations are wonderful. |
Maybe your baby will have the same birthday as I do! |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:43 am Post subject: |
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Guy, congrats! Wow, how far apart will they be? Do yoyu know if it's a boy or a girl? I'm hoping for a girl! Any advice? You're the only poster that I know of that is in our shoes: living in a country that is neither yours nor your partners and raising kids there. Suggestions, advice, comments, things you wish you had known? 
JZer, maybe When's your bday?
So Guy will also have a new addition, anyone else? |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 2:44 am Post subject: |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 3:21 am Post subject: |
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| God forbid I'm that much overdue! |
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smurfetta
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 38
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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My son was born in S. Korea and we lived there for his first 9 months. Both my husband and I were foreigners there.
I think my situation was different from yours. I finished my contract 2 months before my due date and my husband signed on for another year.
Tips:
- get your child's passport photo done as soon as possible after the birth in order to apply for a passport and dependent visa. You have a month to get your visa so you have to sort out the passport first.
- Don't bother with a stroller... The sidewalks are crappy and it is pain to lug one around the subway system. I used a maya wrap sling for my son's first 6 months and then switched to an Ergo. I love the Ergo for an older baby! Well worth the money.
- The Korean first baby clothes I liked a lot. Some don't but I found they worked for me for the newborn stage. The pj sets are awesome but pricey at most places.
- Get a yo for your hubby to sleep on at the hospital.
- Ask for an English and Korean birth certificate at the hospital.
- There usually is a baby shop next to the hospitals there so you can pick up last minute items.
That's all I can think of for now. |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003
Posts: 952
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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My wife just coukldn't get enough apples. Wonder what your craving will be ? Any guesses ? Let us all know. Could be amusing.
Best
Basil |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:52 am Post subject: |
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| naturegirl321 wrote: |
Guy, congrats! Wow, how far apart will they be? Do yoyu know if it's a boy or a girl? I'm hoping for a girl! Any advice? You're the only poster that I know of that is in our shoes: living in a country that is neither yours nor your partners and raising kids there. Suggestions, advice, comments, things you wish you had known?
JZer, maybe When's your bday?
So Guy will also have a new addition, anyone else? |
Thanks! They will be 2 years a bit apart, and still about 4 weeks from knowing gender. My girlfriend wants another girl but I could go either way after getting my wish the first time.
Any advice...whew, where to start? I think the best bit of advice I got as a first time parent was to disregard everyone's advice and just go with instinct. It really is the best guide.
As for being a pair of foreigners living abroad and having a baby, it's hard to offer advice. Mexico is super baby friendly so there is nothing that stands out as difficult. Not sure what hurdles exist where you are but I will bet things go much more easily than you think. Enjoy the sensation of being pregnant...there is nothing like it. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:45 am Post subject: |
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| smurfetta wrote: |
My son was born in S. Korea and we lived there for his first 9 months. Both my husband and I were foreigners there.
I think my situation was different from yours. I finished my contract 2 months before my due date and my husband signed on for another year.
Tips:
- get your child's passport photo done as soon as possible after the birth in order to apply for a passport and dependent visa. You have a month to get your visa so you have to sort out the passport first.
- Don't bother with a stroller... The sidewalks are crappy and it is pain to lug one around the subway system. I used a maya wrap sling for my son's first 6 months and then switched to an Ergo. I love the Ergo for an older baby! Well worth the money.
- The Korean first baby clothes I liked a lot. Some don't but I found they worked for me for the newborn stage. The pj sets are awesome but pricey at most places.
- Get a yo for your hubby to sleep on at the hospital.
- Ask for an English and Korean birth certificate at the hospital.
- There usually is a baby shop next to the hospitals there so you can pick up last minute items.
That's all I can think of for now. |
Right, my husban'ds not working. We've got a couple passports to take care of as well  We'll be at a birthing centre and I've heard they give English birth certs and have beds or something for the partner. I figure we'd get better treatment at a birthing centre than a hostpital. I've got two carriers, one for me, one for my husband and a Moby. NO stroller yet, so I guess that's good.
| basiltherat wrote: |
My wife just coukldn't get enough apples. Wonder what your craving will be ? Any guesses ? Let us all know. Could be amusing.
Best
Basil |
Whatever's expensive and hard to find cheese, cottage cheese (can't find it ) Subway. Eating LOTS of fruit: oranges, apples, and strawberries.
| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
Any advice...whew, where to start? I think the best bit of advice I got as a first time parent was to disregard everyone's advice and just go with instinct. It really is the best guide.
As for being a pair of foreigners living abroad and having a baby, it's hard to offer advice. Mexico is super baby friendly so there is nothing that stands out as difficult. Not sure what hurdles exist where you are but I will bet things go much more easily than you think. Enjoy the sensation of being pregnant...there is nothing like it. |
Thanks! |
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