Some of you have already guessed it – and you were correct 🙂 Yes, our little one will be a big sister soon 🙂 I am pregnant with baby no 2!

We are thrilled and super excited! As I was growing up being the only child I really really hoped for our little girl to have a sibling one day. And in spring next year, she will become a big sister! 😀

How are you feeling?

I am in the second trimester now and I can tell you that I am very VERY happy about that because the first one wasn’t easy. I had a very strong form of maternity sickness for 9 weeks. During that phase I couldn’t even leave the house – on some days the only distance I covered was the one from the bed to the toilet and back. I was expecting to be that sick as it was the same during my first pregnancy. But boy, it is a very different story when you have a 2 year old running around the house.

To all moms out there: Have you experienced maternity sickness? And if yes, was it strong and lasted for weeks, too? What did help you during that phase?

For me, I can report that not much really helped. In the end it was basically getting through it day by day. If you’re experiencing strong maternity sickness yourself at the moment, you should know that you are not alone! Even though many expecting moms don’t have maternity sickness or just a very mild version of it, some of us get the whole package (in the end I think I am lucky that it “only” lasted 9 weeks in my case. I know that other moms suffer the whole 9 months!). I can only recommend talking to your gyn and your midwife! They can advise you what to do, what medicine you can take and have the one or other tip you might not have thought about yourself. I think the most important thing is staying positive. That is a lot to ask when you have been throwing up multiple times daily for weeks, I know. But I have read and heard many times that experiencing maternity sickness can actually be a good sign for the development of your baby as it might be related to certain hormones in your body that help the baby nestle and grow. That was the one thing I kept telling myself in those weeks and that gave me the strength to face another day of misery.

But now I can happily report that this phase is over! For two weeks now I feel nearly normal again. I can get up in the mornings, play with my little girl, take walks with her and just enjoy life AND pregnancy. It feels like heaven 🙂

Does the little one know already?

We haven’t set her down and actually told her that mom is pregnant and that she will be a big sister soon. I think it is too far away at the moment for her to understand. But what we did is we bought some picture books that explain pregnancy and growing families. She is very interested them. And a little while ago she pointed at my belly and said “Baby in belly!” We were like “What?!? Did she just say that??” 😀

I think we will wait a bit longer, until my belly really shows and it is only a few more months to the date of birth until we sit her down and talk to her. And afterwards I want to involve her in the preparations as much as possible. We also thought about getting her a baby doll once the baby arrives so that she can copy us changing diapers etc.

To all moms of siblings: How did you prepare the big ones? Do you have any tips that you could share? 

Outlook on pregnancy

Being pregnant with number two is just as I have expected it – and at the same time not at all! 😀

Yes, I have been pregnant before so I know what it feels like. I was able to feel the first little punches much earlier than during my first pregnancy just because I know what it feels like when someone is knocking on your belly from within. I expected to be sick for months and could prepare a little bit for it. I still have my old maternity clothes and I know my favorite products that I want to use again during this pregnancy (in case you’re looking for a belly oil: this one from Bahnhofapotheke Kempten is AMAZING!! So rich and all natural! You can order it online or find it in some well sorted pharmacies).

On the other hand, being pregnant as a mom of a 2 year old whirlwind it a totally different story! During my first pregnancy Moritz and I celebrated every second of if. I was spoiled day in and day out. We went on not one but two baby moons. When I was tired I laid down and rested. I tell you, it was heaven on earth (after the maternity sickness phase was over of course! ;-D)

Now, I even forget that I am pregnant sometimes! There is too much going on every day. Our little girl is super active and wants our attention all the time. And after being knocked out for 9 weeks I want to soak up every minute with her. So we are up to a thousand things every day and only when I sit down on the couch in the evening I realize how exhausted I am and remember that I am pregnant. It makes me sad sometimes as I would love to celebrate this pregnancy the same way like I did the first one. But then I remember that the situation is so very different, that I want to spend as much time with my wonderful girl as possible, especially as I know that it won’t be just her anymore in a few months and that I will have to divide my time and attention between two wonderful little humans (Fellow moms: How is that possible anyway??:-D Tips please!!!)

What’s up for expecting moms in Stuttgart?

I really want to get out there and get active again, now that I am feeling better. I have signed up for a pregnancy fitness class and want to join the one or other new mom group.

If you’re looking for services and groups for expecting moms in Stuttgart, I can recommend checking out the website of my friends from Gravidamiga.com. They have a bunch of amazing services, for example:

• pregnancy yoga
• birth preparation courses
• and much more

Another great course in English is offered by Josette from the Little Nestling Place:

• Hypknowbirthing

If you want to read the post I wrote during my first pregnancy about being pregnant in Stuttgart, just follow this link.

The post Life update – part II: big news! appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

Today I would like to introduce a company that is very dear to me: Gravidamiga. Gravidamiga offers services that you don’t find very often in Stuttgart: services in English for expecting moms and new moms in Stuttgart and the area.

Being pregnant is always an emotional rollercoaster. But being pregnant or a new mom in a foreign country – oh boy. Kira Neumann and Dr. Christine Krämer noticed that even though there are many groups, courses etc. for German moms, moms that don’t speak the language have to look hard to find a place of support. So they founded Gravidamiga.

Their services include pregnancy yoga, birth preparation, mom meetups, introducing solids workshops and much more. Some courses that are coming up this November in Stuttgart are:

• Me Time for Mom. A great way to meet other moms, relax a bit and become creative. In this 3 hour workshop on November 13 you will find your Mojo again, relax and rewind while practicing some yoga and learn about German Christmas traditions and even make your own Advent wreath.
• Let’s socialize – Gravidamiga goes neighborhood. On November 18 you will visit two fun places for parents and kids in Stuttgart-Vaihingen: My Pilates Place and Children’s English Library

I have been in touch with Gravidamiga for years and always point out the one or other event in my monthly “What’s-up-in-Stuttgart”-posts. Today I thought it is time to fully introduce this lovely company to you 🙂

The post Support for English speaking moms in Stuttgart by Gravidamiga appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

[Guest Post by Rachel Sanghee Han. Please note that this post contains unpaid advertisements based on personal experiences by the author.]

Shopping for your baby can be overwhelming. There are so many brands, advertisements, reviews, it just gets out of hand. And if you’re like me who likes to actually shop in shops instead of online, it can be more difficult to find the right thing at the right place and time. Now that you have a child, no time should be spent on the road, not knowing where to go, so here are some shops I’ve learned to be quite helpful when offline shopping for a child.

Good baby finds in Stuttgart: Hema

This shop is originally from the Netherlands and it only landed in Stuttgart two years ago. But I have grown to love it. Not only do they have cute and affordable clothes for babies, but they also have blankets, bottles, toys and for your toddlers, everything activity. If you like DIY, they also have some great tools to get you excited. And the party supplies! I’ve always been a bit hesitant when buying party supplies online because they are either too much in quantity or just not good enough in terms of quality. There are themes that come and go, so you may have to settle with specific themes whether you like them or not, but I’m sure you’ll be able to find something you like. Definitely a great place to go for good baby finds in Stuttgart.

Hema Stuttgart: Königstraße 43a, 70173 Stuttgart

Good baby finds in Stuttgart: Søstrene Grene

One of my favorite shops in general but their baby and toddler related products are so cute and mostly sustainable. The Danish brand is a joy to visit, and like Hema, it goes through different themes, which means you won’t find the same things at all times. I love their little toys, kitchenware both for me and the children, and DIY tools for projects like stickers, string, painting supplies and more. I do not believe they sell clothes in the Stuttgart store, just for your information.

Søstrene Grene Stuttgart: Sophienstraße 21, 70178 Stuttgart

Good baby finds in Stuttgart: TK Maxx

A mix match for everything. If you need anything, you’ll most likely find it in TK Maxx. I don’t like going here during the weekend because you may have to wait more than a couple of minutes to reach the cashier, but for daily things you need for the little one, such as clothes, shoes, toys, presents, books, even furniture, this is the place to be. I have bought numerous toys and presents for fellow moms and moms-to be, and also bought a lot of books, shoes and toys for my little one as well. Because it’s more of an outlet system, you do have to take time to find the right one for you. I would also recommend it for summery things, like tubes, swimsuits, towels for babies etc.

TK Maxi Stuttgart: Königstraße 18, 70173 Stuttgart

Good baby finds in Stuttgart: Uniqlo

I trust quality when it comes to Uniqlo, and they have some of the highest quality clothes for both babies and toddlers. Their little jumpsuits, or “bodies” as they call in Germany, are super for summer because they’re light and breathable, and their rain cots and windbreakers are amazing too. Not to mention their t-shirt, which come in numerous designs and fun colors as well.

Uniqlo Stuttgart: Königstraße 33, 70173 Stuttgart

Good baby finds in Stuttgart: dm

Not just for diapers, trust me. dm is great for baby food, baby snacks (especially when you travel to different countries), baby everything, really. I personally love their hats that come in so many different shapes and sizes and also those little portable and travel-friendly kiddie snacks like raisins and pretzels. Not to mention the diaper changing area and some even have breastfeeding areas too.

dm online store finder

Good baby finds in Stuttgart: Zara Kids

As my toddler gets a bit older, I try to buy clothes that would last a bit longer. And for them to last longer, they need to also look good, right? I love the overall color scheme of Zara Kids, sometimes I even wish they made the same designs for adults. Their shoes are also cute and comfortable, most of the sneakers have those rubbery, cushiony soles in them too. The only problem I have with some girls’ clothes is the width of the arms and legs. Too narrow, compared to the boys’ so I even sometimes buy boys clothes for my little girl.

Zara Stuttgart: Königstraße 12 and Königstraße 50-52, 70173 Stuttgart

Good baby finds in Stuttgart: Jacadi Paris

This brand is on the more expensive side, yes, but they have very nice clothes, shoes and accessories. They also do sales quite often, so I usually for for the sales to buy staples, like thick jackets, nice skirts and dresses. It’s also a great place for buying gifts, something special for a special friend or family member.

Jacadi Paris Stuttgart: Eberhardstraße 31, 70173 Stuttgart

Good baby finds in Stuttgart: Petit Bateau

Another French brand, originally famous for their striped shirts. They have some very cute “bodies” and baby clothes, and also a lot for adults. I think it would be adorable to wear something similar and be all matchy matchy for a day.

Petit Bateau Stuttgart: Schulstraße 7, 70173 Stuttgart

More about Rachel

Rachel is a Korean travel journalist who grew up in the U.S. and Seoul. She is married to an Italian, mother of a little girl and lives in Stuttgart with her family. On her blog rachelsanghee.com she shares her experiences as an expat mom in Stuttgart as well as her travel adventures.

Photo credit title picture: Rachel Sanghee Han

The post Where to shop for good baby finds in Stuttgart appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

First of all I had a real bag with me not a suitcase and that was a very good decision as there was no space in the room for a suitcase. I’ve borrowed a sport bag from my husband for the occasion 🙂

I actually had two bags with me as I wanted to separate some of the things I took with me: One was filled with the things I wanted with me in the delivery room, the other with the stuff I needed for my 3 nights in the hospital.

First of all I put together a smaller bag with everything I wanted to have with me in the delivery room:

• snacks (I decided on a selection of muesli bars)
• lip balm (as  your lips can get really dry during delivery)
• warm socks (cold feet can apparently prolong the time of the delivery)
• massage oil (your partner is not with you to do nothing, right?! :-D)
• washcloth (so that Moritz can cool my legs from time to time with cold water – something we’ve learned in our prenatal class)
• a spray with thermal water (it’s supposed to get really hot again here in Stuttgart… :-/)

One thing I loved during delivery was my sport bottle. As I was lying the last 30 minutes drinking out of a normal glass was no option so this bottle with the integrated straw was super convenient.

Moreover, I’ve put together a list with tips I got during the prenatal class (breathing techniques for example) that I want to be reminded of  from time to time and things I want the doctors and midwifes to know but which I maybe can’t communicate myself anymore at some point. Moritz had this list ready during delivery.

In my hospital bag itself I’ve put the following:

• 2 breastfeeding nightgowns and 1 pyjama (loose around the waist and with buttons in the front so that I can breastfeed easily)
• 6 breastfeeding tops
• 2 breastfeeding sweaters
• 1 pregnancy trousers for the way home (I assume normal ones won’t fit me anymore)
• 1 breastfeeding dress (one want’s to look nice on the first pictures with the little one, right?! ;-))
• 3 breastfeeding bras
• a big towel (I’ve heard you sometimes just get small ones)
• bathing shoes
• two jumpers for the little one for the way home (two because you never know how big your baby is in the end so I take two sizes with me)
• wash bag with the essentials you need for a few days (tooth brush and paste, hairbrush, shampoo…)
• mobile phone and charger

One word about the huge amount of clothes: I thought I better take some more tops and nightgowns/pyjamas with me as most new moms are sweating a lot at the beginning and thus need to change more often than usually. Better be safe than sorry, right? 🙂

My hospital and I think most hospitals in and around Stuttgart provide the following so you don’t need to take this with you:

• nursing pads
• diapers
• clothes for the baby during your stay
• one-time stretchy underwear that holds the enormous panty liners you will get after you gave birth

An then there are of course some documents you have to take with you:

• Mutterpass (Super important! They will send your partner back home to get it if you haven’t it with you!)
• Insurance card
• ID

If you want to register your baby at the Standesamt directly (some hospitals offer this service in house so make sure to ask for it beforehand!) you need the following documents:

• passports of you and your partner
• birth certificates of you and your partner (must be translated to German)
• marriage certificate or declaration of paternity (must be translated to German)
• maybe registration documents of you and your partner, depending on which residence permit you are

Some more things you want to consider:

• The car seat for the baby should be installed in the car already otherwise you can’t drive home with it.
• Your partner might want to pack his/her own hospital bag as he/she wants to change after delivery as well. And if you get a family room and can stay together for one or more nights, your partner needs a pyjama and a wash bag as well.
• Bring some change so that your partner can buy snacks for you in the hospital.

Happy delivery 🙂

If you have given birth in Stuttgart already and want to share what you took with you in your hospital bag, please do so in the comments! We can all only learn from each other.

For more information about pregnancy in Stuttgart check out the posts I’ve written so far here.

Picture credit title photo: canvas.com

The post Giving birth in Stuttgart: What to put in your hospital bag appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

[Transparency: This post contains non-paid advertisements based on personal experiences. Some of the links are affiliate links.]

Buying baby furniture and baby clothes in Stuttgart – Online Platforms

First and foremost I can recommend ebay Kleinanzeigen to you. There you find loads of used baby stuff for very reasonable prices. Not only clothes but also furniture and much more. And you support sustainability as especially clothes for toddlers can be used only for a few weeks and are as good as new afterwards and way too good to be thrown away. Unfortunately, the app is only in German.

German terms for baby items

Here come some German terms for baby clothes or other baby items you might want to look for at ebay Kleinanzeigen:

Strampler -> romper suit

Body -> jumpsuit

Stoffwindeln -> fabric diapers

Kapuzenbadetuch -> hoodie towel

Wickeltisch -> diaper changing table

Babybett -> baby crib

Hochstuhl -> high chair

Babybadewanne -> baby bath tub

Badewannenthermometer -> bath tub thermometer

Waschlappen -> wash cloth

Kratzfäustlinge -> anti-scratch mittens

Umstandshose -> maternity pants

Umstands-T-shirt -> maternity T-shirt

Umstandskleid -> maternity dress

Still-BH -> nursing bra

Another great place to look for baby clothes and other stuff online is the facebook group Stuttgart Maternity/Kid Shop and Swap (Germany) which is even in English.

As I’ve said we’ve also bought some new stuff:

• We wanted the Brittax Go Big baby carriage as it offers the biggest bag underneath the crib, a very big crib and got very good test results Germany’s biggest product tests by Stiftung Warentest when it comes to safety and the lack of harmful substances. Moreover we were told it is the only carriage that cannot fall over due to a special mechanism.
• For the car seat we decided to go for the Besafe IZI Go Modular [amazon affiliate link] for infants which also got very good ratings for safety and lack of harmful substances at Stiftung Warentest.
  
• We chose the high chair Tripp Trapp from Stokke [amazon affiliate link] as I have friends who have tested several high chairs and all of them recommended this one to us. Again, it is said to be the only one that cannot fall over. It is very well designed and it grows with your child. You can buy the Newborn Set [amazon affiliate link] for your infant so that even the youngest one can hang out next to you while you’re having dinner at the table, and the PlayTray [amazon affiliate link] for your toddler. And even older kids can sit on this high chair at the dinner table or at their own desk. Such a flexible and high quality high chair looked like a sustainable solution for us that will last for quite some time.
  
• For the babyphone we decided to go with the Philips Avent Video-Babyphone SCD630/26 [amazon affiliate link] because it got good rates in tests and has an eco mode.
  
• And last but not least we chose the heater from reer [amazon affiliate link] for the diaper changing station because it comes with a leg and you don’t have to screw it to the wall.
  

Buying baby furniture and baby clothes in Stuttgart – Shops in and around Stuttgart

We didn’t only shop online but also went to some stores in and around Stuttgart. Here is a list of the ones we’ve visited and that I can recommend:

• Babyone was the first shop – or should I say warehouse – we went to, simply because it is super close to where we live. They have a huge selection of prams, strollers and car seats in stock and you can try every single one out. But you also find all other things you might need there, too: Clothes, furniture, nursing stuff, toys… you name it. Moreover, I found their guidance fantastic – very professional and very honest. There are two Babyones in and around Stuttgart, one in Stuttgart-Feuerbach, the other one in Leinfelden. My tipp: When you sign up for their membership you get discounts from time to time.
• Babywalz is another huge shop/warehouse for buying baby furniture and baby clothes in Stuttgart. It has very similar stuff in stock as Babyone but it is located very conveniently in downtown Stuttgart, at Königstraße 43b. My tipp: get their newsletter for the one or other discount.
• A much smaller but super cute shop in Stuttgart-West is motchis. When you enter the store you feel instantly that the owner selects the items she wants to sell very carefully. Here you find stuff you might not see in the bigger shops – but I have to say, it comes with a price. So motchis is maybe the place where you buy selected items that will become your kid’s favorites.
• Did you know that the drug store dm also sells baby stuff? And the quality is actually very good and the prices are reasonable. Moreover, dm offers a selection of organic clothes and baby items you might be interested in. I am a huge fan of their Alana baby body made out of organic cotton and silk.
• If you are on a tight budget I can highly recommend visiting the social warehouse Zorella in Stuttgart-Ost. I know this warehouse because I donate clothes there on a regular basis and I am a huge fan of them and their concept. They have actually two stores, Zora for adult clothes and Zorella for baby clothes, toys and more. Here you find second hand stuff for very fair prices.

If you want to read more tipps from me about being pregnant in Stuttgart you will find all articles I’ve written so far here.

Where do you shop for baby items? Where did you find great deals and what shops do love the most? Please share your favorite places with us in the comments! 

The post Buying baby furniture and baby clothes in Stuttgart appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

[This article contains unpaid advertisements based on personal experiences as well as affiliate links]

I think a baby shower in Stuttgart is a bit different to one elsewhere in the world. Mainly because it is usually a surprise party that is thrown by friends of the mom-to-be. I personally know no German expecting mother who organized one herself.

One of my closest friends had invited me over for coffee and cake on a Sunday afternoon. What I didn’t know: Many other friends were there, too, and they had organized the best babyshower I could have dreamed of (thank you again girls! Love you! :-*)

First thing I saw were letters at the entrance saying “It’s a girl” – that’s when I got an idea of what was waiting for me behind the door. But I didn’t expect so many of my friends being there to celebrate with me. It was such a wonderful surprise, I nearly started to cry.

They had prepared a wonderful buffet – even with some baby themed food items like the muffins with little prams on top of them or the pram shaped cookies. Aren’t they adorable? And the decoration of the table was just as lovely.

We sat down, ate and chatted for a while before the games begun. Yes, there were some fun baby-themed games waiting for me.

I had to master several tasks and when I was successful I/the little one got a present.

So here’s what I had to do:

• I had to wrap a doll – blindfolded
• They showed me a bunch of baby photos. Each picture showed one of the guests and I had to find out which baby photo belongs to whom. Man, that was tricky! But I succeeded, yeah 🙂
• I had to recognize songs for children – and sing them! And I am SUCH a bad singer (poor little one, I am sorry already…) 😀 But with a little help from my friends I got all songs right, too (I should mention that I personally only got one right I think… :-D)
• I had to put up baby jumpers on a clothes line in 3 minutes – while holding a baby doll in the one arm and talking to a friend on the phone at the same time. This picture shows me after I succeeded 🙂
• The last task was actually something my friends had to do: They had to guess the name of the baby and the size and weight when it is born as well as the date. No one got the name right, this much I can tell you already 🙂 With the other details, we will see soon 🙂

Moreover, they have organized a fun photo booth with fun mummy and baby items. I didn’t even know something like this exists!

As I’ve said, I got so many lovely presents! One of them was – of course – a diaper cake 🙂

It was such a wonderful afternoon and the best baby shower I could have dreamed of.

I asked my friends where they got all the lovely decoration from and here is a list of links to the shops where they bought some of the things. So if you plan to organize a baby shower in Stuttgart yourself, check out these websites:

Diapers from lillydoo.com

Decoration from amazon.com [affiliate link]

More decoration at HEMA

Photo booth items at dhgate.com

Muffin decoratation and cookie form at tortenzauber.de

The post My Baby Shower in Stuttgart appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

Pregnant in Stuttgart – Appointments with the gynecologist and the midwife

At the beginning of my pregnancy I’ve had monthly appointments with my gynecologist. This has changed now and I have to see her every fortnight. The routine is still the same: First I have to leave an urine sample and they take my weight, than she will examine me – either with ultrasound or just manual – and then I have to leave a blood sample.

In the meantime I’ve had some special examinations as well: I was tested for pregnancy diabetes (negative, luckily :-)) and I’ve had an examination called “Feindiagnostik” with a specialist because I am over 35 and this qualifies my situation as risk pregnancy.

I was able to do the diabetes test at my gynecologists. They gave me something to drink which tasted like grape juice and tested how my body deals with the sugar. For the Feindiagnostik examination I had to go to a specialist (my gynecologist pointed out some addresses) where a doctor did a very detailed ultrasound scan. Everything was fine with the baby there as well 🙂

Moreover, we’ve had two prenatal meetings with our midwife. The first meeting was mainly about organizational stuff and paperwork. She explained to us what we can expect from her, what we have to do in order to make everything work out smoothly and then we had to sign contracts. This first meeting was actually quite exhausting as it was filled with so much information. The second meeting was much more relaxed. The midwife asked how I was feeling, gave me tipps for the issues I was dealing with at this point (eg. pain in the hips at night and low blood pressure) and examined me/my belly. And this second meeting was also the last official one before I will be giving birth. What I have to do from now on is call her every month and update her about my situation. However, she offered that we can make one more appointment before the baby arrives where she will have a look at all the baby stuff we’ve bought so far and point out to us if we’ve forgotten something. I think I will go for this option as you can never be to0 well prepared, can you?! 🙂

My personal tipp: When you find out that you’re pregnant, first thing you should do is find a midwife! OK, you can tell your partner first 😉 Midwives are very scarce in Stuttgart and all of Germany actually. That is because of a newish law that burdens midwives with super high costs for insurances… Politics, what can I say… So you really want to look for a midwife as soon as possible – even before the first three months are over! Here is a link to a database where you can enter your postal code and find a list of midwives that work in your district: www.hebammensuche.de It even points out what languages the midwives speak. Of course it will be even tougher to find one who speaks English or your mother tongue. So: BE QUICK!

Pregnant in Stuttgart – Hospitals

We have decided on a hospital by now. As we live close to the city boarders and it would be the same distance driving to a clinic in Stuttgart or to one outside of Stuttgart – and because we know from many friends who already have kids that the clinics in Stuttgart are quite crowded – we’ve decided to look for a clinic outside of Stuttgart.

After having favored Filderklinik for quite some time we have changed our minds and are pretty sure that it will be the medius Klinik in Ostfildern Ruit. Why, you might ask now. I had heard many good things about Filderklinik in the last years so that’s why it used to be my number one favorite. In the last months however I’ve heard more and more about Filderklinik being very crowded these days and stories of friends who had been turned away while the expecting mom was in labor because they were too full. Obviously that can happen everywhere. But as Filderklinik is famous for its anthroposophical approach to child birth, people from all over southern Germany make their way to give birth there. Remember, this is all very individual information I got in personal conversations so I do not want to say Filderklinik is not a good clinic (on the contrary, this proves the fact that so many people want to go there) but it just didn’t feel right for us anymore

Then I talked to a friend who has given birth last year and her story reminded me of our situation. Her favorite clinic used to be Filderklinik as well. But she had also heard a lot about it being very crowded. So just a few weeks before her due date she and her husband decided to have a look at another clinic, just to have an alternative in case Filderklinik will be too full. They went to Ostfildern Ruit – and loved it instantly. So they changed minds and she gave birth there. Afterwards she told me that she was very pleased with everything, the doctors, the midwives, the delivery room, the atmosphere, her room… That sounded very convincing to me so we went there when the clinic had a day of open doors. And what can I say, I loved it instantly, too. The doctors and midwives made a very good impression on me, moreover they follow a very supportive approach to breast feeding which is very important to me and when I entered the delivery room I instantely could imagine having our little one here. It was filled with such a warm, caring atmosphere I can’t describe in words. I was actually quite moved (hormones, I guess ;-)). And one more thing totally sold it to us in the end: One of the midwives has told us that up to this day they never had to turn down an expecting couple. Ever. So we’ve decided Ostfildern Ruit it will be.

Of course there are more clinics you can give birth at in Stuttgart like Olgahospital/Frauenklinik, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Marienhospital and St.-Anna-Klinik. If you’re interested in a birth that is just supported by midwives and does not take place in a clinic: Geburtshaus Mitte. As we have not really looked into these clinics I can’t say much about them. So if you have given birth in one of these and want to share your experiences, please feel free to use the comment section below this post!

Pregnant in Stuttgart- Getting prepared for the big day

I’ve enrolled in some courses in order to be prepared for the big day. You might have read my post about the aqua fit course for expecting moms at Marienhospital already (if not, you can find it here).

Apart from that, I also visit the fitness course for expecting moms at Puls Fitnesstudio at Killesberg. It is run by midwife and trainer Bianca Weigel-Gränzel. If you’re interested in joining you have to be quick to get in as her courses are beloved by expecting moms all over Stuttgart. It is actually quite a strenuous course that really prepares you for the physical work you have to deal with during labor. I really love this course. It even helped me with the pain I had in my back before I started it.

Then we will visit the prenatal class of Bianca Weigel-Gränzel this month. We’ve decided to go for the weekend-partner course instead of the 6 weeks course because we wanted it as short and intense as possible.

Last but not least I will visit the breath workshop offered by Hebammenpraxis Stuttgart this June, too. A friend of mine did such a breath workshop before she gave birth and highly recommended it to me. According to her, that was the one and only course that has really helped her during labor. As I’ve read similar reports of other moms I thought I will give it a go, too. Better be safe than sorry, right?! 🙂

Please note that all these courses will be held in German. I plan to do some research soon on prenatal courses for English-speakers. But if you’re interested in enrolling in one of these courses as well but you don’t speak much German you can contact the trainers and ask if they will translate the instructions for you or if you could bring a German-speaking friend who will support you during the class.

Oh, and one more thing: Even if it seems like ages before you will need it make sure to book your post-natal fitness course as soon as possible as well! I will do my Rückbildungskurs with – you might guess it by now 😉 – Bianca Weigel-Gränzel and when I tried to enroll in my fourth month it was already booked out! Luckily one other expecting mother dropped out and I made it in after all. But I would have never expected that you have to be quick for this course, too. So don’t make the same mistake I did and look for one as soon as possible.

Babymoon

In the seventh month we went on a babymoon to enjoy the calm before the storm 🙂 We wanted to get away a bit to get the feeling of a real vacation but I didn’t want to fly anywhere (I know that flying should be all right while pregnant but I’m suffering from a fear of flying and I just didn’t want to put me and the little one in a stressful situation). We decided to drive to the Netherlands and stay at Scheveningen, a lovely beach town next to Den Haag.

It took us about 8 hours to get there, with several stops where I could stretch my legs. Long distance drives don’t bother me even though I’m pregnant. I don’t have much back pain or such. And to fight the rist of thrombosis I’m wearing granny-style stockings my gynecologist has prescribed to me a few weeks ago.

In Scheveningen we stayed in a lovely small hotel next to the beach named Boulevard Hotel Scheveningen. It offers the most amazing view of the ocean from the breakfast room.

We didn’t do much in our babymoon, we just went on strolls along the beach, visited the one or other beach restaurant, enjoyed the sun and the view of the ocean (it was too cold to go for a swim 🙂 and went sightseeing in Den Haag and the lovely historical town of Delft. In order to do so we only had to catch the tram. It runs from Scheveningen via Den Haag to Delft and back. Very convenient!

Even though we only stayed in Scheveningen for three full days we had the most wonderful, relaxing time. I can’t believe that this was our last vacation of just the two of us. 🙂

If you have any further questions, or if you would like to share your own experiences of being pregnant in Stuttgart, please do so in the comment section. I am also working on an article about all the baby related stuff we’ve bought recently that I can recommend and where to get good deals. So stay tuned for this post in the near future.

The post Pregnancy update – 8 months pregnant in Stuttgart appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

[Non-paid advertisement based on personal experience]

When I arrived this morning at 10 am there was already a long line. I have forgotten that there are quite a few fairs going on at the moment at Messe Stuttgart and Babywelt Stuttgart is one of them.

Babywelt Stuttgart is located in just one hall but man, I was there for nearly four hours and could have stayed much longer. So when you decide to visit Babywelt Stuttgart this weekend, make sure you bring enough time (and energy :-)).

You will find many brands at the fair, from strollers to diaper bins, from massage oil to baby cloths and much much more. And at most of the stands you either get a discount for the products (10 to even 50 percent) and/or a free giveaway.

Babywelt Stuttgart: My personal favorite brands and stands

• If you need information about how to apply for Kindergeld in Stuttgart or need any other kind of advice around your pregnancy you can turn to Städtische Beratungsstelle für Schwangerschaftsfragen und -konflikte. They can give you advice in many topics in English – and even in other languages!
• The concept of hiring a doula is not well known in Germany yet so it might be hard to find one in Stuttgart or the area. At Babywelt Stuttgart I met Anne Gruhl, a doula from Korb, who is a member of Doulas in Deutschland. She told me she speaks English and can accompany non-German-speaking couples. So if you’re looking for a doula, you might want to check her or colleagues  from Doulas in Deutschland out!
• Lotties is a producer of baby cloths, diapers and more that works with 100 % organic cotton. I’ve talked to the owner who told me a bit about the history of his company. He actually came up with the idea of creating reusable organic diapers when we was on a trip to Vancouver Island in Canada and saw how huge parts of the rainforest were cut down because the cellular material was needed for the production of throw-away-diapers. So if you’re thinking about giving reusable diapers a go – or if you want to buy some organic baby cloths, you might want to visit this stand. Fun fact: All pregnant women get a baby hat for free! 😀
• Let’s stick with the diaper topic for a little longer: At the stand of Angelcare you get a waste bin for diapers for free when you show them your maternity pass. I am curious to try it out but I am also not sure if I will use it all the time because of the huge amount of plastic bags you need.
• A more environment friendly solution is the diaper bin from Diaper Champ. They also claim to keep the smell inside but their system doesn’t need as much plastic bags as Angelcare does. I didn’t get one at the fair but I am thinking about it.
• One stand really made me smile: Happy City Kids is a producer of play carpets. What makes their product special is that the carpets show different cities, Stuttgart for example! Definitely something I need once the little one is big enough 😀
• Babyone is a huge shop for all stuff kids related (we got our stroller from them recently). At Babywelt Stuttgart they offer 10 percent discount on everything you buy or order at their stand.
• When you already have children you might want to catch up with other parents and organize play dates. At Babywelt Stuttgart I learned about the App Barrio which will be available in English in a few months, too. Here you can get in touch with other parents from your area in an easy and hassle-free way.  Fun fact: When you download the app at their stand you get a cute little stuffed Brezel  for free! 😀
• I met a nice lady from fitdankbaby and talked to her about their fitness classes for pregnant women and new moms. She ensured me that it is no problem to attend their courses even if you don’t speak German. The instructors speak English and are willing to translate everything when you talk to them before the class starts.

Next to the stands you will find the follwoing at Babywelt Stuttgart:

• a lot of experts for various topics like Elterngeld, feeding the baby, sleeping problems and much more
• a competence center for kids safety
• a crash test dummy simulation
• a secluded area where you can change your baby or breast feed in privacy
• a babycare station where you get baby food for free

In conclusion I can say that I really liked Babywelt Stuttgart. I got a lot of useful information, discovered great brands I didn’t know about before and the many free giveaways are fun, too 🙂 I’ll definitely go again next year with the little one.

More information:

Babywelt Stuttgart

Transparency: As I blogger and journalist I got a free press ticket for the fair Babywelt Stuttgart. The content of this post and my opinion about the fair are my own.

Disclaimer: Please note that I am not responsible for the exhibitor’s offers.

Picture credit title photo: © FLEET Events

The post Babywelt Stuttgart – the fair for everything about your little one appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

And the big news is – tatatataaaaaa: Moritz and I are expecting our first baby this summer!

We are VERY excited and can’t wait to meet our little addition to the family 🙂

I’m in the middle of the second trimester now so we still have some more months to go. But as our life gets filled with more and more baby related topics you can expect more pregnancy and family related posts here on Living in Stuttgart in the future.

Are there any other moms-to-be or moms of little ones amongst you? What would you like to read about here on the blog? And what did you experience during your pregnancy in Stuttgart? Was anything different to what you know from your hometown/country of origin?

Let me know what you’re interested in so I can plan my upcoming posts accordingly 🙂

Have a great week and best wishes from me and the bump!

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