Lulabelle's, Cabrini & a New Baby Cot

One of my morning Songbirds

Yesterday was a very important day. I woke up with much anticipation. I came 9032.23 miles from Dallas, Texas ( one way ) to visit Cabrini Hospital, meet the Midwife and hopefully meet the South African Doctor. As usual, the Abbott women push our time to the last minute ( a lesson I learned from my mom :-) so there was a flurry to get out the door...which always sends poor Wally to his perch on the back of the couch to try and stay out of the way and oversee our antics. We made a quick stop to Lulabell's Coffee and Pastry Shop, a gathering spot for the locals, and made the drive to Cabrini Hospital.

Lulabelle's

Lulabelle Delights

Scones

I sit over in what Larry calls " The Prayer Corner", named that because fervent prayers and earnest petitions of " Save us Lord!" and " Jesus help us!" and other pleas for Divine intervention are heard most of the way to our destination... Missy usually is laughing so hard she can hardly drive....which ups the urgency of my petitions, but today she was tense because she said we could not be late. More to pray for!

Finally we reached our destination and found a parking place in the car park and headed in for my first look at this most important haven.....the caretakers of my daughter and new grand baby.

I liked Cabrini right away. It "felt" right. A mom thing I suppose, but I have learned to rely on that inner peace over the years. It is a Catholic non profit (private ) hospital with 600 beds. Not huge by Dallas standards but very respectable. The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Italy undertook a hard journey to Australia to take over the mission in 1920 that Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini ( Mother Cabrini) , the founder, began in 1880. It looked much like any hospital. The nurses and medical staff wore different uniforms but they were friendly and professional and I liked that.

Cabrini Hospital





Main hospital entrance

We met the first midwife right away. She more or less registered Missy and went over hospital details & procedure. I was welcomed to their meeting and I have found that Mums and dogs can go just about anywhere. :-) She kindly answered my first question about the qualifications of a midwife. I explained that midwives in America were much different and not hospital associated. She said that in Australia a midwife requires a pre graduate degree to be a licensed midwife and was similar to our obstetrics nurses but with a bit more specialization required as they are usually the ones to deliver the babies.

Registering Mid Wife

The Obstetrician oversees the pregnancy and birth and if things go off the " normal path" he would assume the responsibility of delivery. I was told that a pediatrician was not required unless something was wrong with the baby but it seems the hospital takes care of all the post natal screening and care. They don't typically do circumcision but will if the parents request it. (It is still to be determined if that is necessary.) Missy was given a bag of freebies and we headed downstairs for our next Midwife meeting.

Midwife Maggie.... We liked her right off. She said she is the touchy feeling one of the obstetrics team. She will have regular visits with Missy along with " Max " ....or Dr. Maxwell Michaels. She said he was a bit of the old school, though highly qualified, and said he believed it was all about the mum to be...with no frills of course. She was as chatty as your best friend and they covered....EVERYTHING.

Midwife Maggie

If I had any worries at all...it was laid to rest in that meeting. She said she had 22 years of experience and a graduate degree in nursing with a specialization in obstetrics. She will most likely be the one to deliver the baby and we were OK with that. Midwife in Australia it seems...is a very different concept. You could tell she was very knowledgeable and loved her work. They will use the most modern that is available in obstetrics and she went about the task of answering all questions and then some along with her exam.

Exam

Maggie it seems has traveled to America several times...so a bit of travel talk was thrown in the mix. Missy opened right up to her....and I felt like my mission was accomplished.

I was not able to meet " Max", the doctor....but Wes & Missy think he is a good doctor and if they and Midwife Maggie like him....all is well with my world. :-)

After Cabrini Missy needed a snack so we headed off to the Mall which was very nice and had most of the stores we were looking for. We looked at various baby stores for baby things and found the dollar stores.....which translates to $2 - $10....but that is great in comparison to what you normally pay.

Snack at the Mall

Next stop.....Baby Bunting.....to purchase the baby's cot....( bed)! It is Australian made and really wonderful......and....on sale! Wes will pick it up on Friday and we are all excited about it. We do not have the bedding yet but at least we have a start on the baby's nursery.

The Baby's Cot ( bed )

I am walking up to Ashburton.....by myself today. I am going to the butcher shop to get some ham for the bean soup I am preparing for dinner ( serious prayers should be said for this :-) & have a map of how to get there. Ashburton is the local little shopping area and I have a good sense of direction so I am sure I can make it there and back. ( if it stops raining long enough ) Missy wrote down her office & cell numbers....just in case......and gave me a mini lesson on the equivalency of Australian money. If I remember it as well as my household lessons....I should do just fine. :-)

Have a Blessed Day in America!!!

Elaine