Birthing babies in Scotland

Thought I'd jot down a few random thoughts about this whole crazy experience before they are completely erased from memory...

• I can't believe the maternity hospital lets people smoke right outside the front door. I remember pulling into our unofficial parking space (where the sign posted said "DO NOT PARK HERE"), opening up the door, being unable to get out for many contractions in a row, and then instantly smelling smoke. If I could I have, I would have glared at the woman who was outside puffing on a cigarette. I'm sure she was amused by us...
• In May in Scotland, it's light many hours of the day--and it was still dusk when we were driving to the hospital at 10:45pm. As we entered Aberdeen (and a rough part of town), I remember noticing how many people were out and about. It had been really warm for a few days and people were dressed in their summer attire. My one comment during the whole car ride was something about how the people looked skanky. That was really nice, Mere.
• Who knew that in the UK after you give birth, you've have had a few minutes to recuperate, the baby has been weighed, the midwife will offer you some tea and toast? Andy had to ask her to repeat herself a few times to make sure he really understood. His response was, "no thanks, but maybe I should go move my car". At that point, I wasn't interested in much and probably needed water more than anything. I'm sure they were thinking we were weird Americans... BTW, the midwife looked like she was maybe 20 years old. I remember thinking surely she was a student and the real midwife would join us soon. Nope. After the baby was born, I had to ask her her name--it all happened so fast, I don't think I heard her the first time!
• Ohh, how I missed St. Luke's hospital in Houston when it came to mealtime at the Royal Infirmary's maternity hospital. There ain't much choice when the government is paying your bill. No menu to check off what you'd like for the next meal. You get what you get. Breakfast: cereal (which they just poured from a large box), a piece of fruit, a container of yogurt, and of course...tea (guess they aren't concerned about new moms drinking caffeine in this country). Lunch: A plastic cup of milk, a triangle sandwich (I had a hard time understanding my choices so opted for a bland chicken with bread), and yucky lentil soup. Dinner (which is called Tea here): choice of vegetable Korma (of course--they LOVE their Indian food here) or mince and tatties (that's ground meat and potatoes for those of you not in the know). I chose the Korma -- which was a giant plate of rice and mush -- and some kind of tart. Of course, before Teatime, they came around and asked if I wanted tea and toast. Oh those Brits...
• I was ready to go home, but it's still amazing to me that for normal, healthy deliveries, the new procedure is to send us home after 1 day and after 2 days for a C-section. Again, I get the reasons why ($$$), but it seems really tough for a first time mom. Luckily they have so much at-home support. 10 days of visits from the community midwife and then ongoing visits from the health visitor for the baby. So, the healthcare is different and sometimes might not seem as good as it is at home...but it's free, non-interventionist, and definitely just fine.