My Dutch partner and I are awaiting the imminent arrival of our first child.  It is an incredibly exhilarating time in our lives. Now that we have everything ready, there is also sufficient time for reflection and naturally there lingers a trace of apprehension. Thoughts such as ‘Is the labour going to go smoothly?’ or ‘Am I going to be a good parent?’ even ‘What is the definition of a good parent anyway?’ all intertwine and flit around in my head.

Last Friday evening brought about the beginning of an intense series of contractions, implying that the new arrival would be forthcoming. This only lasted a mere twenty hours. Alas, it turned out to be a surge of pre-labour contractions. These developments have intensified our curiosity and impatience — we’re surely a mere matter of days away from holding our child, giving the first feed or tending to the first cry during the night.

Our own child — that we even have this opportunity is something to behold. Due to some complications a few years ago the likelihood of us ever having children was in the balance. It is amazing then and we are tremendously fortunate that the chance has arisen so soon. With great wonder I envisage the infinite possibilities awaiting our child; the passions and interests, the expressions and appearance…On a slightly selfish note; I cannot wait to see the initial interactions of the little one with the ‘otherness’ of English culture.

 Natural birth exercise during a course

We’ve had to make alterations to our lives and rearrange our future plans. We obtained a geregistreerd partnerschap only last month. This is largely the equivalent of marriage and ensures equal parental rights to the child. Yet in trying to explain what a geregistreerd partnerschap is, some will still ask ‘why not just get married?’ Due to the constraints of finances and time, a real marriage ceremony has been put on hold. And anyway, we’re perfectly happy as we are now. One can make plans for the future — mapping out the usual dreams and ambitions—but we’re overjoyed with the way events have unfolded for us.

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