3-course meals for 2 at the IMC
Before we moved here, I remember scouring the internet to find info about having a baby in Saudi or at KAUST. I wanted to know if I would have options and if it was safe. I wanted to know if it would fit my philosophies and if I would look back and be happy that I had a kid here. I remember searching and finding pretty much nothing that would ease my fears or at least make me feel more informed. It wasn’t until I arrived here and started talking with new parents that I started to understand what it’s like. So, this blog post is for the former me… and for all the people out there that are searching like I was!
Being pregnant and having a baby at KAUST is like having a baby in the West. We have good, highly-trained medical professionals and safe facilities. My grandmother had a baby in India in the 1950s and before I moved here I wondered if there would be similarities. Let me be clear: my experience was nothing like hers.
Here are a few questions I had before we moved here, and some answers for you:
Is KAUST a good place to sart a family?
KAUST is a great place to start a family – and a lot of people are! There are currently 120-something women pregnant out of the approximately 5000 people who live at KAUST. Pregnant women are well supported – there is a clinic here on the compound where you can have most of your prenatal check-ups. There is a full-time OB (and she’s lovely!) and a 24-hour emergency room and ambulance.
How far is the nearest hospital? Is it any good?
As I said before, there is a clinic on the compound. This is good for check-ups, blood work, ultrasounds etc. Babys are not delivered here (except in the case of emergency) rather they are transferred by ambulance to the International Medical Center in Jeddah. The IMC is about 1.5 hours away (depending on traffic). This is a bit farther than I liked being from the hospital and I did worry about complications. The IMC is a very good hospital – it’s new, with good highly-trained doctors, and friendly, helpful nurses.
What is it like to deliver at the IMC?
I had mixed feelings. I always felt very safe, and in case of emergency, I’m sure they would have gotten me through just fine. They also had very good service – it was like staying in a 5-star hotel. I had my own room with a pull-out couch for my husband, and they brought us (both) extravagant 3-course meals. I had a normal delivery and it was standard to stay for two full days – I think you stay longer if there are complications/c-section. The nurses were helpful and everyone seemed to take excellent care of my baby. They didn’t give my baby a bottle, and took him away to the nursery for about 2-hours a day to get him checked by the pediatrician (I would have liked him to not be gone so long, though).
The downside for me was that, as crunchy granola kind of girl, I wanted to have a crunchy granola kind of birth. I would have liked to given birth in a tub with soft music and a doula by my side. There really aren’t options like this. I was only given the option to have a standard hospital birth – no tub, no doula, no soft music… heck, I didn’t even have a birthing ball (actually I brought my own, but the baby came so quickly I didn’t get a chance to use it!).
I did still have my heart set on a natural birth. I didn’t want an IV or drugs, or medical interventions. This was definitely a problem for the delivering doctor. She simply couldn’t understand why I didn’t want an epidural and seemed very concerned that I would want to put myself through “unnecessary pain”. I absolutely insisted on skipping the pain and induction meds, though I did give in and take some breaths of nitros oxide near the end. but the doctor did get her way and do some minor medical interventions which I told her I was really hoping not to have. In the end, she convinced me that they were “medically necessary” and I gave her permission… though I still have my doubts about how necessary they really were.
So, overall it was a good, safe experience. It just wasn’t the birth I’d gone for if I had been given more options.
What’s it like to be a new parent at KAUST?
There are tons of young families for a good reason – it’s a safe, easy place to raise kids. It’s hard to find organic foods and good quality baby products (the baby food is pure sugar and there aren’t really any options for green-diapering). There are a few mommy-groups which you can join, as well. Also, you can bring kids anywhere, which is a huge help. KAUST is not well-equipped for feeding and diapering. Good luck finding a changing table in most buildings, and If you’re planning to breastfeed in public, I’d just be careful not to show too much (err.. any?) skin. I tend to bring a (pumped) bottle with me when I go out on compound or in Jeddah. That said, I understand that you can breastfeed in the women’s prayer rooms all over Jeddah.
On the subject of breastfeeding, Is there a La Leche League rep nearby?
Yes! La Leche League is an international nonprofit that helps support women who are breastfeeding. While there is not (yet!) a LLL group at KAUST, there is a rep and a group that meets in Jeddah. If you are struggling to breastfeed, you should really get in touch. For more info go to: http://www.llli.org/saudiarabia.html
…Well, with my mommy-brain those are the only questions I can think of for now. Do you have any questions about being/becoming a parent here? Post it in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer!
Our friend Ginger took some wonderful photos of us recently and I love them so much that I wanted to share them here.
Jordan at 1-week old
The family
When Jordan was 8-weeks old my sister and her son came to visit so we took the opportunity to get a few photos with them and my parents:
About the Photographer
Ginger Lisanti is a photographer who lives at KAUST. She focuses on family photography – maternity, newborns, graduation, whole families etc. If you’re interested in having her take your photos, check out Ginger Lisanti Photography on Facebook or email her directly at gingergclisanti [at] gmail [dot] com
Meeting Susie of Arabia for the first time
I recently had the good pleasure to meet Susie Johnson Kahil – the lady known as “Susie of Arabia” and the driving force behind the blogs Susie’s Big Adventure and Jeddah Daily Photo Journal. Susie spent most of her life in the US and moved to Jeddah with her Saudi husband and their son in 2007. She writes on Susie’s Big Adventure about topics of interest in the country including social issues and current events. The photo journal is updated daily with interesting photos and tidbits. Both blogs are hugely popular for expats here in the kingdom. If you’re living here, moving here, or are just interested in life in Saudi, Susie’s blogs are both great additions to your RSS reader.
oh… and yes… her maiden name is Susan Johnson… which is my mom’s name…. I had to fit that in somehow!
Big Hass on the air on MixFM in Jeddah
I was recently introduced to Hass Dennaoui, a music advocate who hosts a hip hop radio show on 105.5 FM in Jeddah. He is doing some really interesting work in the Saudi music industry, working to change local perceptions of hip-hop in a socially responsible and culturally appropriate way. We’ve connected several times since our introduction and after Jordan was born he honored us with a shout-out to him on his radio show.
>> CLICK HERE to listen to the shout out. It’s cut right to the spot where he talks about Jordan.
And, if anyone is interested in learning more about his work or tuning into his show check out:
- His website: www.revoltradio.blogspot.com
- Interviews on BBC: https://soundcloud.com/big_hass-1/big-hass-on-bbc-newshour and http://www.theworld.org/2012/10/big-hass-saudi-arabia/
- His talk at TEDXARABIA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kGQjVfru7Y
My friend Ginger is a talented photographer and recently did a maternity photo shoot with us. I’m really pleased with the results so I wanted to share them here on the blog!
When I was 31 weeks pregnant, we got together here at KAUST and she took some photos. Kev and I couldn’t be happier with them! She was very professional, organized, and quick, and the quality of the photos have blown us away.
Ginger takes all sorts of family photos. From maternity, newborns, graduation, whole families etc. If you’re interested in having her take your photos or finding out more about her work, check out Ginger Lisanti Photography on Facebook or email her directly at gingergclisanti [at] gmail [dot] com
Below are a few of the photos she took. I hope you like them!
… this post is a follow-up to my post about the KAUST 2 bedroom townhouses. In that post, I describe the KAUST housing situation in a bit more detail. If you have not yet read that post, I suggest you read it first.
We decided it was time for a bit more space, so we recently moved from a 2 bedroom townhouse to a 2 bedroom detached house.
As I said in my previous post:
There are several different types of houses here and they are all pretty much variations on the same theme. For the most part a two-bedroom townhouse is pretty similar to all the other two-bedroom townhouses at KAUST. They’ll have slightly different proportions and back yards for instance, but the inside is mostly the same – and with the same or similar furnishings too.
That said, definitely don’t confuse a “detached” house from a “townhouse”. The detached ones have a lot more space. The detached 2-br has the follow differences from the 2-br townhouses:
- Detached has 2 living rooms – one upstairs one downstairs, townhouse has only one.
- Detached has a single car garage, townhouse does not (driveway only)
- Detached has an office, townhouse does not
- Detached has a larger kitchen with more storage and a separate pantry.
- Detached has more built-in closets/storage – in garage, maids room, kitchen, and master bedroom.
- Detached in Gardens Neighborhood have large balconies off the upstairs living room (island detached 2brs have a much smaller balcony with high walls). We’ve used this balcony almost every day since we moved in – it’s great!
- Our townhouse had a much nicer back yard – but the KAUST back yards vary considerably from house to house and house size is really not an indicator of yard size.
- Obviously, you also pay more for the upgraded accommodation. (Check with your move coordinator for pricing info).
Below are photos of the 2-br detached before we moved in. You can find photos of the 2-br townhouse in my previous post. All of the furniture and furnishings in the photos have been provided by KAUST:
Downstairs:
Front of the house
Another shot of the front of the house
Foyer, as taken from the front door
Downstairs living room. Back yard to the left, front door to the right, dining room behind the photographer
Dining room. Not pictured is a large buffet and mirror to the right of the photographer.
This is the view of the dining room and living room from inside the kitchen (through the hatch).
Kitchen
Maids room – en suite bathroom and dresser not pictured.
The office. This photo doesn’t really do the office any justice. It’s actually quite spacious. (Located just inside the front door)
Upstairs
This upstairs living room is an excellent feature. It’s my favorite room in the house! Not pictured is a TV and TV stand to the left of the photographer.
You’ll just have to trust me when I tell you the balcony is huge!
Guest bedroom. Not pictured is the large closet space behind the photographer.
2nd shot of the guest bedroom
Guest ensuite
Master Bedroom (1)
Master bedroom (2)
Master bedroom walk-in closets
Master bedroom ensuite
I know how hard it can be to decide which house to choose based on a floorplan and inventory list. I hope that by sharing this info here, I can help others who are moving to or within KAUST to feel more informed.
Have I missed anything here? Feel free to add your experiences with 2-br houses below! Or, ask any questions you may have.
My friend Nimisha and I have been doing yoga together since the beginning of my pregnancy. She’s a certified instructor and has been working with me multiple times per week to ensure I stay in shape and prepare for birth. It’s been a lot of fun and really has helped to make pregnancy an enjoyable experience for me.
A couple people have asked us for tips on easy yoga moves to help ease the aches and pains of pregnancy, so Nimisha and I worked together to put this post together. I hope that it helps you to start thinking about prenatal yoga and inspires you to look into it further.
If you’re at KAUST, there is a prenatal yoga class at the Harbor Sports Club a few times a week, which I definitely recommend checking out. Oh, and you should also check out the Pregnant at KAUST facebook group.
Disclaimer: Please be careful not to hurt yourself or your baby. All of the positions below should have an easing effect and should not be painful. Please just use the following as ideas and inspiration… do your research, talk to you dr, and please don’t hurt yourself.
So, take these for what you will.. and please share your prenatal yoga experiences, tips, and resources, in the comments below!
Cross Legged or Sitting Warrior
How to do it:
For cross legged – sit on your bum and cross your legs.
Cross-legged pose
OR for sitting warrior – sit on your heels with your toes flat on the floor. Ensure your back is straight and your shoulders are back. Put your palms on your knees. Elbows are relaxed.
Sitting Warrior Pose
For either pose: Take 10 deep inhales and exhales. You should be able to hear your breath.
Why to do it:
This pose helps you bring your mind and body into your yoga practice. For sitting warrior, you also have the added benefit of working on your ankles (which is especially good if they’re swollen).
Wide Legged Child Pose
How to do it:
While sitting on your feet (as in sitting warrior pose), open your knees as wide as your yoga mat. Lean forward, bringing your forehead on the floor. Lay your arms out straight above your head, on the floor. Try to reach your hips back towards your heels as much as you can.
Take 10 deep inhales and exhales.
Wide legged child’s pose
Why to do it:
This pose opens your back, shoulder blades, and hips. It’s also very relaxing.
Cat and Cow
How to do it:
Step 1 – Table Top Position: Sit on your knees and bring your hands to the floor so that your back looks like a flat table top. Your shoulders should be directly above (in line) with your wrists. Your hips should be directly above (in line) with your knees. Curl your toes so all 10 toes are touching the floor.
Table Top Position
Step 2 – Cow Position: While inhaling deeply, arch your back down and look up. You should feel a stretch in your lower back and the front of your neck.
Cow Position
Step 3 – Cat Position. While exhaling deeply, arch your back up and look down towards your belly. Curl from the front of your body, and lift from the back of your body. You should feel a stretch in your back and shoulders.
Cat Position
Inhale into cow, exhale into cat and repeat 10 times.
Why to do this:
This is an excellent pose to strengthen your spine. It’s very helpful in warming up your practice.
Cat and Cow Side Stretch
How to do this:
While in Table Top Position, twist to the left side and look at your left heel, bringing your hips a little to the right. You should feel the stretch on your right side. As you go into your twist, exhale, as you come back to face forward, inhale. Then do the same on your right side. Exhale as you twist, looking at your right foot. You should now feel the stretch on your left side. Inhale as you release to face forward. Repeat 10 times.
Cat-Cow side-stretch
Why to do this:
This position stretches your intercostal muscles and gives your lungs more space to take in more oxygen.
Tree Pose
How to do this:
Stand with both feet together. Lift your right foot and place it on your calf. Push your knee back so your hip bones feel like they’re are aligned and pointing forward. Bring your palms together in front of your chest (heart center) – and gently push your hands together so there is some pressure between them. Flex your thigh for strength. Balance here for 5 deep inhales and exhales. Then do the same on your left foot.
Tree Pose
Note the alignment of the knee and standing leg when in tree pose:
Proper Tree Pose alignment
If you’re having trouble balancing, try using the wall to help you. You can bring your foot to your thigh if you’re using the wall. Do not rest your foot on your knee joint – this could create problems for your knee.
Balance assistance in tree pose
Why to do this:
This pose is excellent for balance, strength, flexibility, and focus.
Half-Eagle
How to do this:
Stand with your feet slightly apart. Bring your arms up and as you exhale, swing the right arm underneath the left arm. Wrap around at the elbows and wrist, grabbing your thumb, wrists, or interlock your fingers. Lift your elbows so that the are parallel to your shoulders. Inhale and exhale for 5 breaths. Exhale to release, then do the same on the other side.
Half Eagle prep
Swing one arm under the other
Grab your thumb, or place your palms together if you can reach.
Why to do this:
This pose will help open your joints, especially your shoulder blades. It also adds to your strength, flexibility, and concentration. As your chest grows in pregnancy, this position really helps to release the pressure from the added weight.
Standing on One Leg
How to do this:
While standing, put your hands on your waist and your feet hip distance apart. Lift your right foot off the ground, bending your knee and flexing your toes up. Try to lift your foot at least one foot off the ground – more if you’re able. Keep your spine straight – don’t lean back. Hold for 5 inhales and exhales. Then repeat on the other side.
Standing on one leg pose
Why to do this:
This pose will help with your balance, strength, and concentration. It also strengthens your thighs which will be important when you’re giving birth.
Squat
How to do this:
Open your feet mat distance apart (much wider than your hips). Put your palms in heart center (prayer position), take a long inhale, push your hips back, and as you exhale, sit down so your bum hovers just above the floor. Ensure your heels stay on the floor and hold your knees back with your elbows.
If you find it difficult to hold up your body or keep your heels on the floor, try doing this pose against a wall for added support.
Hold this pose for 2 minutes or as long as you can. Gradually work your way up to 4 minutes if you can.
Preparing for your squat
Entering your squat
Proper Squat alignment
Proper Squat alignment
Why to do this pose:
This opens your pelvic floor which helps you to give birth more easily. It also helps with water retention in your feet and ankles and can help reduce swelling.
Seated Side-twisting pose
How to do this pose:
While sitting down, stretch your right leg out straight 45 degrees from your hip. Fold your left leg so your foot is on the root of your thigh. Sit up straight and take a deep inhale, then put your right arm up to the sky, exhale your right palm to your right ankle, as far as it will comfortably reach. Then take a long inhale, reach your left arm up to the sky, and exhale as you bring it down to your right side.
You should feel a stretch in your lower back and/or side body and/or hip. You may also feel this in your hamstring.
Hold for 7 breaths.
Repeat on the other side.
Why to do this pose:
This opens your obliques and intercostals and creates length/opening/stretch in your spine. It also lengthens and strengthens your hamstrings. Believe it or not, it also stretches your kidneys!
It’s also my favorite pose because it makes my back ache less :-)
Happy Baby Pose
Happy Baby Pose (no laughing at me, please!)
How to do this pose:
While lying down on your back, lift your feet , spread your legs, bend your knees, and grab your feet from the outside. There should be pressure between your palm and foot, so you feel the stretch in the space between your hip and your leg. If this makes your back uncomfortable, you can gently rock from side to side (without hitting your knees on the floor). Hold or rock for 10 breaths.
Why to do this pose
This pose will help open your hips and pelvic floor which will help you give birth.
Legs up on the wall/ Supported Shoulder Stand
Supported Shoulder Stand
How to do this:
This one is easy! Put your bum against the wall, lift your legs up so your heels rest on the wall, and spread your feet hip-distance apart. Relax your shoulders, and leave your arms by your side, or for a deeper stretch in your upper body, reach your hands above your head.
Hold this for 3 to 5 minutes.
Why to do this:
This is good for blood circulation in your legs. When you’re pregnant, you have a much greater volume of blood in your body, which can lead to swelling. This will help prevent and reduce swelling. It will also help relax and de-strees!
Savasana
Savasana
How to do this pose:
Important: This pose is only for first and second trimester. In the the third, it will hurt your back, so you’ll need to lie on your side instead.
Lie flat on your back. Spread your feet around mat distance, wherever is comfortable. Spread your arms away from your body, wherever is comfortable. And close your eyes. Lay here and breath calmly for 3 to 5 minutes.
This pose is also called corpse pose – for obvious reasons :-)
Why to do this pose
This pose is the best way to close and absorb your practice, sealing the benefits of all your hard work. It also helps to relax and de-stress.
Okay, that’s all for now! Please share your prenatal yoga experiences, tips, and resources, in the comments below.
Happy Blog Action Day!
Over the last few years, I’ve participated in a yearly blogging event called Blog Action Day. Blog Action Day brings together bloggers from different countries, interests and languages to blog about one important global topic on the same day.
This year’s #BAD topic is: The Power of We. According to the organizers, “The Power of We is a celebration of people working together to make a positive difference in the world, either for their own communities or for people they will never meet half way around he world.”
I’ve spent my entire career focused on collaboration and community, and making a positive difference in the world. And, more importantly, I’ve been so fortunate to meet and work with hundreds of other people and organizations working towards the same ends.
Reading some of the other posts on this topic has encouraged me to reflect on the impact that the collective WE have made and reminded me that we are making an impact. We are making a better world. And each of us is making an impact as an individual that is magnified by our collective efforts. We are so much more than the sum of our parts.
So, I want to just take a step back and dedicate this post, and this day, to all of the people collaborating to create a better world. Thank you.
UPDATE: I recently met @Big_Hass at GeekFest Jeddah and he was telling me about how he’s working to change the negative perception of hip hop in Saudi Arabia. He’s also using music and the community he’s building around music to support youth in the country. It’s been a real uphill battle, as hip hop has a pretty negative perception here in the Kingdom. He ended up writing a Blog Action Day post as well, and as far as I know it’s the only other BAD12 post written here in Saudi. Big change, slowly, slowly. I really encourage you to read it!
Update 2: Another Saudi-based blogger wrote a #BAD12 post! This one is from Fruitful Fusion, an online Graphic Design and Crafts blogger. She wrote her post about Ateeq, community-run project teaching women to crochet – and a workshop she’s leading on the topic. Woot!
More:
>> Read today’s Blog Action Day posts from all around the world
>> Follow the #powerofwe conversation on twitter
>> @Big_Hass’s BAD post on Hiphop in Saudi Arabia
>> Fruitful Fusion’s post on a community crocheting project
Image courtesy @yaya_artist on Instagram
Question: What’s the word for a geek in Jeddah?
Answer: “a Jeddi”
- Yasser Bahjatt
Last weekend I had the really great opportunity to speak about community building at GeekFest Jeddah. You can learn more about the event in my earlier post. I also wanted to be sure to share my notes from the talk here on the blog. Below is the summary of the chat:
Collaborating to Build a Community of Geeks in Jeddah
Who Am I?
I’m Claire Sale and I’m a community builder. I’m passionate about using technology for social benefit, and about building community around these ideas. I’ve built a career working with organizations in the US, UK, and now Saudi to help them build and support sustainable communities to meet a specific mission. I’ve launched communities for community builders, charity workers, and social innovators – all have been both online and offline communities.
My Goal
The motif for today’s event is Collaboration. I want to take this opportunity to collaborate with members of the community to find ways that we can work together to strengthen the network of geeks in Jeddah and create a sustainable future for the group.
Community Building
Why participate in a community? We participate to learn, share, create a solution, share a passion. Us geeks in Jeddah are already a community. Now, let’s work out ways to strengthen our connection as a group.
Let’s talk through some of the core principles of community building, and use OURSELVES as a case study:
Audience
How do you start when talking about starting or building a community? First: you must know your audience. We didn’t have time to have everyone introduce themselves, but we did have some shout-outs from the audience about the types of things this community is into. Here are the notes we took:
As you can see, we have a wide range of topics that we enjoy!
What are we already doing as a community?
The other organizers have already started creating this community, long before this event. They’ve…
- Hosted events – like geekfest!
- Written posts online for a general audience who are interested in geeky things in Jeddah
- Created social media presences for the community
- Started a podcast
- What else? (please share your feedback in the comments below!)
Other ways to start a community
- Create a website that is a one-stop-shop for all things about the topic. Like geekfest.com
- Connect with related communities. Are there other groups functioning in Jeddah that attract geeks? What are they doing? How can we collaborate with them? The networks that the other geek-talkers are creating are perfect examples.
- What else? (please share your feedback in the comments below!)
How can you sustain a community?
Passionate and supportive community members AND…
- Regular online communication
- newsletter
- forums/listserves
- podcast
- social media updates
- Events – inperson, or online
- Respond to questions and ideas that people share in response to your events and communications
- Always invite new people to participate
- Make your communication and events accessible to your audience
- Make as much as you can publicly available – on the web, or in person
- Clear Messages: timely, relevant, engaging – discussion. Not just advertising.
- Community leaders!
All of these things support the forward momentum of the community.
A note on technology
Building community is not about building new technology platforms, but it is about leveraging the latest technology to help us build our communities! Experimenting and adapting, but always with a goal and purpose in mind.
We’re all geeks here, so let’s all experiment with the technology, but lets let the needs of the community guide the technology, rather than the other way around.
Sometimes older technology is better :-) Think about: forums. So uncool, but so, so useful!
So… where do we go from here?
Goals
We need to decide: What do we want to do as a community? Here’s the feedback that we received during the talk:
Solidarity, Personal/professional networking/ and more events were some of the key themes.
Hangouts
What tools do we all use? Where do we want to congregate online? Where do we want to congregate offline?
Leadership: Anyone Anywhere
Believe it or not, there is a lot of planning involved in keeping forward momentum for even the strongest community. Do you have a vision for the group? Want to help take the lead? Raise your hand!
Here’s who raised their hand at this event:
And, I hope we’ll find even more leaders out of this posting!
Conclusions
Let’s not let today be the end of the collaboration – let’s make it be the beginning! Let’s take our connections and our excitement about building this community, and make it happen: together.
Thank yous:
I want to send a big fat “THANK YOU” to…
- The organizers of the event. You guys rocked it! I felt so welcome and I had a great time. I can’t wait for the next one!
- Kinda: Thank you for joining me and for helping to take notes during my chat. I never introduced you properly during the chat and for that I’m SO Sorry!
- The Store: This place is amazing – I can’t wait to come back with my friends!
- Samsung: Thanks for bringing all the toys to play with! I had a blast playing (and winning) the angry birds competition and my prize of the brand new Galaxy Note II is awesome. I haven’t put it down since I got it.
I won the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note II for kicking butt at angry birds!
On this blog, I share information about social innovation, expat life, and other things I find generally interesting.
