We had a myriad of strange reactions when we told people we wanted to have Gilliam in London rather than the States. Honestly, there were two key facts that laid the groundwork for our decision:
1) Serena hates flying transcontinental… and coupled with the fact that she would have to go by herself, 8 months pregnant, with a three year old in tow… plus luggage for a three month stay. Then come back by herself with a new born, a four year old, and the same luggage. Folks, Belgrade to Atlanta (and vice versa) is about a 17 hour-ish journey with a layover. It’s extremely draining when you only have to worry about yourself.
2) Serena and I have volunteered to take an unaccompanied tour and I will be moving to Pakistan later this year… simply put, we wanted to maximize the amount of time we could spend together as a family before I head off. Having them in London gave me more access to them… I can spend about two of the three months with them here… but, in Atlanta, I would have only been able to spend about six weeks.
Anyway, the idea of a much shorter flight and family togetherness seemed to strike people funny, not that it is any of their business anyway, but they couldn’t seem to understand why Serena want to go London over the States. Healthcare is so much better in the States than anywhere else in the world, right? Er… Umm… Well… couple this with the fact that London is known for being an incredibly expensive city; I guess you have a sound argument. Except that we have discovered that groceries in London are cheaper than in Belgrade… so as long as you are not obsessed with eating out, have a kitchen and know how to cook, London is actually a reasonable place to live… even for a short while… and if housing is provided, of course. :)
Well, after experiencing Grayson’s birth in the States and now, Gilliam’s in the UK, I have to say, the UK experience far outweighs the US experience. And a decision that was originally made to easy travel and contact has proven to be one of the best decisions we have ever made as a family. Our birth experience in London was nothing less than remarkable… which makes me wonder… why is a healthcare system like the UK’s so vilified in the United States?
But, don’t jump to conclusions though… I don’t intend argue for or against socialized healthcare in the United States on my blog… why would I want too? I know very little about UK’s system other than what I have experienced. Plus, I am a product of the American’s Socialized School system and I have terrible grammar, questionable spelling skills, and I look funny.
But, what I do have is a story and a family who has had two very different birth experiences, in two very different countries. The first in a system I wouldn’t wish on any new family… and the second was the way it should always be. And, I also recognize that I don’t know how normal either experience was for the county and system they occurred in… I only know what I have experienced and I would like to share.
And that is exactly what I intend to do. Over the next few days/weeks/months (whatever) I plan to share both experiences side by side from beginning to end… the Grayson Experience and the Gilliam Experience together to form one Birth Experience.
Stay tuned, “The Birth Experience” will continue…
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