The memories of the first shots. My memory, that is.
Unlike Korea, where newborns get their shots soon after birth, it took about a month for A to get her first shots. Like my pregnant lady book, newborns also get their own little book called the Yellow Health Book (das Gelbe Heft) that contains all the information needed, including the period to get which shots, her birthing info and also some important info about the mother. It’s crucial to bring the book everywhere regarding baby appointments, along with the insurance card.
한국에서는 태어난지 얼마안되서 병원을 가지만 독일에서는 거의 한달이 지나서야 예방접종을 맞는다. 그전에 이미 우리는 기차여행도 하고 공항에도 가고 해서 약간 이상하다는 생각은 들었지만 일단 독일은 그렇다니 따를 수 밖에. 모든 임산부들이 임산부 책이 있듯이 아가들도 태어나자마자 노란색 접종책이 나오는데 여기에 예방접종은 물론, 언제 맞아야하는지, 엄마의 건강 상태 등의 정보가 들어있다. 한국에서는 어릴때만 가지고 다니는걸로 알고 있는데 여기서는 14살정도 커서도 계속 지니고 다닌다고.
Her shots are divided in categories called the U screenings, from U1 to U11 and so it’s quite easy to follow (“was everything ok at the U4? Did you take the U9 yet?”). For somebody who has a hard time following the entire list of shots that should be taken care of, this system is very handy and convenient. The screenings continue until the child is 14.
테어나면 64개월이 될때까지 총 9번의 의무적인 검진이 있다. 간단하게 U 스크리닝이라고 하는데 모든 검진이 U1 부터 U9까지 숫자가 붙어있어 기억하기가 훨씬 쉽다. 날짜들도 나와 있어서 그 날짜에 맞춰서 병원에 예약하면 끝. (몇일부터 몇일까지 맞으라고 각 아기마다 날짜와 기간이 나오는데 되도록이면 끝쪽으로 맞춰서 가길 추천. 어리면 어릴수록 일주일, 혹은 3주 정도에도 성장 큰 차이가 나기 때문에 끝쪽에 맞춰어 가는 것이 효과적) 실질적으로는 U11까지 있는데 아기때 의무적으로 받아야하는 검진이 U9. 아기때에는 맞아야하는 주사가 많아서 늘 헷갈렸는데 이렇게 이루어져 있어서 다행. 살았다.
These screenings are designated to each child and thus there are dates that they must be followed through. All these information are written on the baby’s book. Handy, right? Of course, it’s imperative to book the appointments before the actual date since it’s hard to do anything last minute, but many moms have told me to book nearer the end of the designated period. Every child has his or her own pace and a couple of weeks can make a huge difference.
It was a bit terrifying, the first shot experience. Aside from the actual birth, this was probably the first big pain the baby had to go through and while I was expecting a more relaxed, cuddly experience, say, with some toys to distract her, it was pretty much very straightforward. After examining her and wrapping up with a quite bizarre “Ich bin zufrieden” (I am satisfied), the doctor started assembling the two needles. Hold her hands, she said, which I did and looked into the very happy baby’s eyes. And then, as soon as the doctor poked the needle on her thigh, A suddenly stopped looking around and looked straight at me. “WHAT the hell?” was probably what she was thinking and after what seemed like a very long stare, she burst into tears. Poor girl. Came back home, everyone exhausted and that was that. Thank god.
예방접종을 맞으러 간날, 의사가 들어오고 아이를 살펴보더니 하는 말이 “만족스럽네요.” “다 좋네요,” “건강하네요”도 아닌 “만족스럽”다니. 뭔가 이상. 독일 병원에서 늘 느끼는거지만 적어도 내가 생각했을때는 약간 오바하는 경향이 없지 않다. 임신 중 당이 조금 높게 나온 내가 아침에 사과를 먹고 갔더니 사과를 먹었다고? 어떻게 감히 사과를 먹어?라는 식의 반응을 보여서 놀랐는데 이번에도 “저는 만족스럽다”라니, 아무리 생각해도 이상. 주사도 간호사도 없고 딸랑이도 없고 “아기 손을 붙잡으세요” 하더니 바로 주사 팡팡. 이런 차가운 분위기라니. 아가도 우리나라에서 보면 굉장히 “막” 대하는 경향. 아이를 발가벗기고 휙휙 돌리고 들고 거꾸로 들고 한손으로 들고 등등. 태어나자마자한 아기를 데리고 나가는 것도 비슷한 이치겠지.
- Make sure you take the yellow book and your child’s insurance card, along with some extra clothes, diapers, a blanket of some sort to cover up or lay down for the baby, milk if you’re bottle feeding because there’s nothing more soothing than that after a shot.
- Always go early for a doctor’s appointment. If something happens, say a fever, you always have time to go back.
- Check the temperature before you go to the doctor’s. Great way to compare afterwards.
- After a shot, stay in the hospital for 20 to 30 minutes more before leaving just in case.
- If the temperature goes up 38 degrees, take the pill, which is usually rectal. Not fun.
- No baths, not because of an infection, but because it will make the baby get super tired/too relaxed and exhausted.
- Oh, and keep calm, which is easier said than done.
All photos by rachelsanghee. Bits and pieces of my little one, every week, in 2016. 11/52 weeks. 84 days old today.