Any pregnancy is a huge shock even when you're trying and an unplanned one may take a bit longer to get your head around but as someone has already said, you've got plenty of time to adjust and prepare.
My nephew was also an 'accident'- kids weren't on the agenda at all and my sister was always nervous around tiny babies. But it turns out she is the most relaxed and confident mum I've ever met. She's quite an inspiration for me and great for advice which lovely.
My daughter is now 4 months and although the pregnancy wasn't as straightforward as some, the healthcare I received here was fantastic. Hopefully, depending on your area, you'll have choice of whether you stick with the OBGYN until the birth or switch to midwife-led care (which I did after the 20 week scan). I had my first scan at 8 weeks (because of a previous missed miscarriage) but my OBGYN at the local Frauenspital clinic normally performs them at 12 weeks. No blood tests or anything before that. If you don't already have an OBGYN then ask some friends for recommendations or maybe your own GP.
We've also had great treatment from my daughter's paediatrician. She's had skin complaints from birth, a hip problem (that required treatment) that was picked up with the routine ultrasound at 4 weeks and most recently a perforated eardrum. We've always been able to get appointments more or less immediately and we just had a really quick referral to a paediatric dermatologist after the eczema became unmanageable.
I don't want you to think that you'll spend all your time at the doctors'- I just want to reassure you that the healthcare system with regards to kids and pregnancy seems really good and I've got no complaints.
You've got some time to start making some support networks and meeting other mums-to-be. Although it's difficult having my family back in the UK, Skype makes it a bit easier and there's nothing like a new baby to get friends and family booking up the cheap flights to come and have a cuddle and share the love.
Good luck and I echo what the previous posters have already said about the forum being a great place for advice on your next big adventure
This happens frequently, just a proof that you can't plan everything . Been there too and I wouldn't give away the one that was not planned for nothing in this world. Congratulations and somebody said "sleep as much as you can" which I can only second. And enjoy while you can still tie your shoelaces and cut your toenails Best of luck!
take it easy and just find a Gynecologist some where close to where you live or work and take it from there. You`ll learn something new every day. By the time baby is here, you`ll have it all figured out.
This is one of the best places in the world to start a family , there are so many parks, so many family friendly activities, it`s safe, clean and your baby can be exposed to so many languages, big expat community and great helpful mommies
One thing I wanna add (my rant):
When I found out I was pregnant a few months ago, the first person to tell was the pharmacist as I ran again to the pharmacy and told the lady : I`m pregnant !! I`m pregnant ! with a big smile on my face, she looked at me as if I was crazy then said , how can I help you? I asked calmly for second pregnancy test, she gave it to me and wished me a good day! no congrats , no excitement ! Then I stopped to the bakery and got some bread, told the lady there: I just found out I`m pregnant, like 10 minutes ago! How cool is that!! She said: What kind of bread you want?
So I learned that strangers in Zurich will not get so excited and congratiolate you for being pregnant the way we do it home
Hoorah! Congratulations. Life changes in a second, doesn't it? =)
I can see it's overwhelming and you've got lots of decisions to make.
It sounds as though you're still at a very early stage in the pregnancy. I wouldn't begin to make any drastic decisions until your 12-week appointment/scan. Many people prefer to wait until that time to announce the pregnancy to family and friends as well.
Right now I would:
1. Start prenatal vitamins ASAP if you haven't already.
2. Find an ob/gyn for your first appointment, which will probably be around 8 weeks.
3. Try to relax and generally just look after yourself.
There is something about this fresh mountain air...
I only have one thing to add. When I was preggas I had to stop going to the gym. When my bubs was 3 months old I took a letter from my Ob/gyn to the gym stating when I starting being incapacitated (if that is the right word) and that I was now fit to train again. It turned out to be 9 months. They added that missed time back to my membership. Bonus!
Can't really add much more to what the others have said really excepot that if you stay here you'll soon find your network of contacts and friends expands once a baby comes along. You can join mum and baby groups and make some really good friends that way. Switzerland is a great place to bring up kids IMO.
I'm in the same boat. No gym for me the entire pregnancy. I've done some walking and a little bit of light dancing (can't resist when I find some new, good music!) at home.
There is really no need to give a groan for this post Nil. I am sure no insult was intended by rainer_d. This is not only a good joke but also a real life question which we should ask. It happens sometimes that father of the child is not informed in the first place, isn't it? I'll tell you this... If I was not the first person to be informed about the child by my wife then I could be really really angry......