When you think of the Netherlands, canals, tulips and biking everywhere may come to mind — and those are among the reasons Americans are drawn to the country. Over 31,000 Americans live in the Netherlands, representing around 6% of the country’s total immigrants , and that number has increased over the years. I was lured by the scenic charm — which the Netherlands certainly delivered.
What I couldn’t have imagined was the peace this country would give me in a decision that wasn’t easy for me to make: having children. For a time, the thought of having kids brought on so much anxiety that I kept putting it off, and instead focused on my career and building a business. I didn’t expect how much this small country would make parenting feel so natural.
Here are some unexpected things I learned about raising my child here. Biking At 30 Weeks Pregnant You can imagine the look on my face when I showed up for my first midwife appointment and saw a line of parked bikes with pregnant women hopping off them, bellies much bigger than mine. When I thought about pregnancy, I imagined morning sickness, resting at home and counting down the weeks until week 40, but that was not my experience here.
Instead, I joined the crew who biked to every midwife appointment until I couldn’t anymore. Yes, I was lucky to have a relatively smooth pregnancy. However, pregnancy in the Netherlands is generally treated as a natural part of life.
Doctors, midwives and coworkers alike approach it pra.