Pregnancy and Parenthood in a Foreign Land: My Experience in Thailand with Useful Tips for Mothers Everywhere

By Rebecca Wongwiboonchai

In Pregnancy and Parenthood in a Foreign Land: My Experience in Thailand with Useful Tips for Mothers Everywhere, Rebecca Wongwiboonchai shares her experiences of her first pregnancy, giving birth, and becoming a new parent in a foreign land. A British expat living with her husband in Thailand, the author gives us an honest and candid glimpse into her adventure from beginning to end. Each chapter is divided into two sections: A Real-life Experience, in which she tells the story as it happened for her (including pregnancy, labour and birth, first days of motherhood and breastfeeding, and travelling and working with a newborn) and The Facts, where she offers straight talk on practicalities, such as things one might like to consider when making choices, a discussion of food and diet, vaccinations, the importance of personal time, and equipment essentials. Although Wongwiboonchais account takes place in Thailand, the descriptions of her firsthand experiences and valuable tips are applicable to expat mothers-to-be worldwide. The author shares the lessons that she learnedoftentimes the hard wayso that you dont have to.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jan 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504326209

Rebecca Wongwiboonchai

Rebecca Wongwiboonchai is a mother, teacher, and life coach. In 2011 she moved from living and working in the UK to living an expat life in Thailand, where she soon became pregnant. Alongside parenting and teaching, Rebecca has a successful life-coaching business that coaches mothers in taking action to achieve their goals. She is now living happily in Bangkok with her husband and daughter, enjoying the tropical fruits of nature.

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Copyright © 2015 Rebecca Wongwiboonchai.

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-5043-2619-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-2620-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015900190

Balboa Press rev. date: 1/2/2015

Contents

Preface

My Health

About This Book

Chapter 1:   Pregnancy

A Real-life Experience

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

The Facts

Pregnancy Symptoms

Checkups

Hospitals

Food

Position of Baby

Chapter 2:   Labor and Birth

A Real-life Experience

The Facts

Labor Signs

Thai Hospital Routines

Chapter 3:   First Days of Motherhood

A Real-life Experience

The Facts

Vaccinations

Jaundice

Baby Hernia

Mongolian Blue spot

Breast-feeding

Chapter 4:   Motherhood: Breast-feeding, Travelling, and Working

A Real-life Experience

Breast-feeding

Travelling

Working

The Facts

Personal Time

Equipment Essentials

Equipment Luxuries

Documentation

Final Word

Appendix A: Birthing plan example

References, further reading, and useful videos and music

Dedication

With my deepest love and affection,

I dedicate this book to my two greatest inspirations: my husband and daughter,

Pramote and Tamina.

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the many people who have made this book possible:

First, I give thanks to God, my strength and my shield, for His blessing in giving me an awesome miracle.

To Pramote Wongwiboonchai, my husband and father of our child, for his tremendous love and support since the time we first met.

To my father and mother whose teachings – through their love – will remain with me forever and help me continue to share my love with my own family.

To one and all who, directly or indirectly, have lent their helping hand in this book venture.

Thank you!

Preface

As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming a mom. I loved the idea of being a mother and having my own family to enjoy and look after. Many times I would play Moms and Dads with my sisters, friends, and even my teddies! I tended to be the mother, as I liked the control this role entailed.

Many years passed, and I grew up, but I still held the vision of having my own happy family. Then in 2006, I met a wonderful man who was so loving and compassionate. He was the person I knew I wanted to have my dream family with. A