We investigate what the Brussels Childbirth Trust has on offer.

Though wonderful, pregnancy also raises many questions for parents-to-be

Having a baby gives rise to many questions even in a familiar environment, but for expats in Belgium, pregnancy can raise even more questions.

Expats might be in the dark, for example, as to where they can find pre and post-natal help, have questions regarding costs and health insurance, queries over maternity and paternity benefits or even Belgium's stance on pregnancy and birth procedures.

However, members and volunteers at the Brussels Childbirth Trust (BCT) have been passing on information and tips to both new and established expat families for almost 28 years.

Originally part of the National Childbirth Trust in Great Britain, but now independent, BCT is a small non-profit group for parents of young children.

Its aim is to provide the necessary help and support to enable parents gain greater enjoyment and satisfaction during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.

Membership offers a wide range of pre and post-natal services, information on child education in Belgium, practical help and above all — an opportunity to mix with families in a similar situation.

With its central premises at Imagine in Wezembeek-Oppem and 14 local groups in and around Brussels, BCT organise activities which usually include weekly coffee and play mornings for parents at home with babies and toddlers, summer outings and nights out for mums and dads.

"BCT is a lifeline for people who have just arrived. The activities on offer are definitely a stepping-stone for mothers with pre-school children," BCT president Juliet Stevens says.

"Membership is fluid. There are generally around 1,100 members, many of whom are here for just a two to three-year period”.

The working language of the organisation is English, although it has members from more than 60 different countries.

Information exchange

BCT does not have a staffed office, but is run by about 150 volunteers who work from home and whose contact details can be found in the BCT magazine available to members. Answers to a range of questions can also be found through the information team and the library.

Help is at hand at BCT

The information team maintains a database of medical practitioners for various linguistic needs. These listings are not recommendations, but are instead services that members have used and passed on.

The membership library has 400 books and leaflets on pregnancy, childbirth, child development and parenting.

BCT also offers regular courses to members. At any stage during pregnancy, future parents have to deal with various pressures such as the lack of family support, coping with a language barrier and possibly different kinds of medical practices.

"People sometimes arrive with different expectations and it is best to always keep an open-mind," Stevens says.

Moreover, service co-ordinator Kay Cram finds that parents appreciate the opportunity to explore issues around pregnancy, birth and parenting so that they feel more confident to make choices that are right for them.

Having a baby in Belgium

BCT hosts 'Having a Baby in Belgium' information evenings, which are designed to take the guess work out of pregnancy and birth practicalities.

This event is open to members and non-members alike and takes place at Imagine on a Wednesday evening once a month.

Numbers are limited so it's essential to book online. It is an informal talk suitable for both first-time parents and parents who have already had a child or children in another country.

The evening's agenda depends on the needs of the group, but generally includes information on choosing a gynaecologist or a hospital, costs and health insurance, pre-natal testing, what to expect when giving birth, post-natal support, birth registration, maternity benefits, childcare and the Belgian health system.

It is chaired by a member of the presidential team and speakers include an antenatal teacher and a members of the post-natal and information teams.

Pre-natal courses

Besides the information evenings, pre-natal courses led by qualified pre-natal teachers allow small groups of expectant mums and their partners to enjoy support and friendship of others in the same situation while preparing for a baby.

There are two types of courses available: those for first-time parents and a shorter refresher course for those expecting a second child or subsequent children.

BCT helps dads and mums prepare for the big day

First-timer courses are held over a combination of weekday evenings and weekends lasting about five weeks and include breastfeeding and resuscitation classes. Weekly classes with the same content are also run on weekday evenings over two months.

Key topics include the process and stages of labour, relaxing and breathing and positions, pain-relief, hospital procedures, Caesarean section and baby care.

Refresher courses are run every three or four months according to demand. The next course will take place at the start of February. These courses include a debriefing on a previous birth, birth procedure in Belgium and how to integrate the new baby into the family.

Prior to beginning either course, attendants are asked about any possible complications and an agenda is set for the group.

"We take into account the different needs of the people who attend, including possibly raising children in an environment with several languages," Cram says.

These courses are also a chance to talk about non-medical issues: "The people who attend the classes may have differing needs and expectations, but they all have one focus. They are part of a small group which is safe; they feel confident and have the freedom to talk openly. We offer both emotional and social support".

Cram continues: "Physiotherapists offer excellent preparation for labour and birth which we aim to complement in our courses by also giving clients the opportunity to discuss all aspects of becoming parents".

Post-natal courses

BCT also caters for parents immediately after the birth of their baby by offering trained breastfeeding counsellors, bottle feeding supporters and post-natal supporters to give advice and encouragement.

These volunteers are experienced mothers who can be a friend to talk to and provide moral support in times of need. Many members seek support and then end up getting involved in the organisation as well.

An ex-member now living abroad recalls that by participating in one of the talks she was introduced to a network of people; many of whom became friends. She was also able to get information on all kinds of baby care equipment.

"I hired a TENS machine for pain relief for when I was having my daughter which was useful and caused a lot of interest at the hospital in Leuven as many of their staff had never seen one before," she says.

There are similar services in Belgium, but what sets BCT apart from others is that it is non-specific and covers a large range of services, dealing with everything to do with having a baby and catering for the changing needs of families.

_____________________________

Brussels Childbirth Trust
Imagine
Chaussee de Malines 77
1970 Wezembeek-Oppem
Ph: 02 215 3377
Email: info@bctbelgium.com
Online: www.bctbelgium.com

18 January 2006

[Copyright Expatica 2006]

Subject: Having a baby in Belgium, pregnancy, Brussels Childbirth Trust