Glucose Screening Test - 27 Weeks

This past Tuesday we had another check-up with the doctor. This time, I had to have the glucose screening test. Other than the fact that it took three hours to perform and I hadn't eaten anything since the previous night, it went well. I do not have gestational diabetes, so that is good! We go back in two weeks for another major growth scan.

This week, Philippa and I spoke with a nanny referral agency about getting a shared nanny between the two of us starting in February. I also spoke with a service that HP is a member of who can also help us find a nanny (without all the agency fees). Basically, I think the hard part is going to be finding a nanny who is capable of looking after two babies who are basically the same age - and hopefully willing to do it a something that isn't double the cost.
In speaking with the agency, they said that the costs actually shouldn't change too much because it's also a similar situation to multi-child families. The difference being that our kids are the same age- so like twins.
The HP-related agency also told me that I still need to apply to all the daycares in the area, so that when baby is 18 months old, we actually have a slot available 5 days a week. Crazy to think I'm apply for a daycare now, but my child won't start to attend until March 2011?!? This country is so progressive in some things, and yet so backwards in others. I guess some would argue that 'forcing' a parent to stay at home with the children because of lack of adequate daycare facilities and the nature of the schools systems is, in the long run, better for the child. But looking at the cost of living in this country, I don't know that many people who are our age who can actually afford do that. And the controls they put on daycare facilities is also good, but it also restricts the number of daycare facilities that are available to the general public. I also know that the pay that the people get in this sort of industry is pathetic.

Barbara was telling me a few weekends ago during her visit that all the daycare people in Germany went on strike for better pay and benefits. Sad to think that they have to strike to get a better wage, when at least in Barbara's case - she'd gladly pay double if that is what they wanted. But because the government regulates that sort of industry, the salaries and pay structure is pretty set. In Switzerland it's similar, but without all the government subsidies to offset the costs.
Anyway, enough on that topic. Today, we start our birthing course. I think Matt is a little wary of going - maybe the thought of watching a birth is a bit too much detail for him. I'm pretty excited though, so we'll see how it goes.