Perks of Pregnancy in Haiti

A lot of people have asked me in the past, "What are some of the biggest cultural differences you have noticed between Haiti and the US?"  Well, the US has lots of different cultures and the one I was brought up in was actually fairly similar to the one Almando was brought up in.  We have exchanged stories of our Grandma's quilting and the freedom of running around our country homes--mine on a farm in central Minnesota and his in the mountains surrounding Bainet, Haiti.  We were both taught the importance of our relationship with God, education, and hard work.  In some ways, our upbringing was very similar, in some ways different--especially with the language and the general scenery, but it wasn't until it became obvious that I was pregnant that I noticed significant differences in the culture.  Now, I've never been pregnant in the US, but some things have really surprised me here in Haiti.  I call them the "Perks of Pregnancy in Haiti".

I noticed it not long after our trip to the states.  We were in the bus with a team heading south and it was hot and there was traffic.  I stood up to give some directions and guidance to the team.  Our bus driver, Elie, told me very quickly to sit down.  One of our male staff came up to me and asked me what I wanted communicated with the team.  I told him and he stood up to make the announcement.  I can no longer stand up on a bus to give directions--I realized this very quickly.

Later, on this same bus ride, the same staff member and Elie kept checking on me making sure I was okay and was drinking enough water.  I had forgotten my water bottle in the car.  Elie proceeded to call out the window for "Machan Dlo"--"water merchants".  They started coming up and Elie ended up buying all 30+ people on the bus ice cold water and got me one that was extra large.  He told me I need to drink more.  So, I drank.  I was being taken care of by those around me in a very intense way.  It was a blessing--to the team too!

A couple of weeks after the bus incident, I was walking around a grocery store picking up snacks and supplies for the team which was about to arrive.  I noticed I was being watched carefully by the store employees.  My basket (not cart) was getting full and I noticed them following me, soon they offered to carry my basket for me.  I tried to tell them I was fine, but they weren't going to hear it.  When it was time to stand in line, the clerk left me for a minute and set the basket on the floor.  I reached down to pick it up when it was my turn and was almost scolded by those around me.  Someone picked up the basket and unloaded it for me onto the counter.  I didn't touch those items again.  They brought them to my car and didn't even want to take a tip.  The PPM staffer I was with said, "They made you not carry the groceries didn't they?  I can't see you letting them do that willingly."  We both laughed.  It's true.  I never would have thought I couldn't carry those three bags by myself.

As time went on, I noticed more and more things like this especially when I got to be 7 and 8 months along.  My hospital has a very long line to make your payments (you have to pay before you can see the doctor here) and sometimes I would spend 2 hours in line.  Not when I was 8 months along.  The security guard escorted me to the window and made everyone else stand back.  No one questioned.  No one wondered why.  You don't stand in line when you are pregnant.  Not at hospitals.  Not at banks--which is a HUGE deal because you can spend all day in line at some banks here.  Not at the grocery store.  Everyone is so helpful.  Respectful.  Conscious of the baby growing inside.  Making sure mom doesn't stay on her feet too long.

Pretty amazing.  I definitely get funny looks when I tell people I will have the baby here.  People are surprised to see me pregnant.  But there are definitely perks to being pregnant.  One morning, Almando's brotther, Odne, went with me on some errands.  To 2 banks, the clinic, and the hospital.  He loved it!  We accomplished more in one morning because of the not standing in line than we could have in a day and a half if we would have had to stand in those lines.

There are some of the Perks of Pregnancy in Haiti.  I hope you have enjoyed them--I know I have been blessed by them in the last couple of months!