When I first set foot in Cambodia 17 years ago as a teenager, I never dreamed that I would give birth to a baby in this country. Yet two months ago, some wonderful Khmer doctors and nurses helped Sokion and I welcome our daughter to the world. She’s not our first, but with her I had so many firsts! Pregnancy in Cambodia was challenging in many ways, but we are so grateful for a healthy, beautiful little girl and a safe, smooth delivery.

I could write a LOT about the differences I experienced with pregnancy and childbirth between Cambodia and America, but here are just a few fun ones.

1. Gender Reveals. This is not a thing in Cambodia, but luckily my doctor played along with me and we were able to be surprised with our family at Christmas.
2. Pregnancy Cravings. I did NOT crave sour mangoes and chili salt like Khmer women. I was also told not to drink coffee or the baby would have dark skin.
3. Arriving at the hospital while in labor. I came a day before the due date, and the registration desk told me ”But your appointment is tomorrow.” 🤪 I learned that some Khmer women schedule c-sections to have their child born on a lucky day or hour.
4. Covid Testing. We sat in a room with one nurse for probably 20 minutes taking vitals and discussing things before we were taken for mandatory Covid testing…. and the same nurse went and put on full body protective gear before she administered the tests.
5. Pain medication. After delivery I asked for Ibu-profen and the doctor said, ”Why do you need it? Asian women don’t take Ibu-profen after delivery.” (Thankfully she gave it to me!)
6. Newborn hospital nursery. Sokion asked how they can make sure they can tell the babies apart, and they reassured him by saying, ”Don’t worry your baby will look different.” 😳 It WAS nice to have our daughter cared for overnight and we actually slept!
7. VIP rooms. We chose a standard room, but many hospitals in Cambodia have VIP rooms with enough space for the whole extended family to come stay with you. Plus big screen TVs for all your relaxing down time! 😂
8. Naming. The baby didn’t have a name on her hospital documents, she was just listed as ”Miss No. 1 Baby of Kathryn Ki.”
9. Afterbirth. Many people were shocked that I was walking around in public 2-3 weeks after the baby was born. Someone asked me, ”Why are you normal after having a baby, not like Khmer women?” Also I did NOT wear socks and a winter hat for a month after delivery.

Overall, it was a really good experience and I felt really well cared for.

We wanted to give this baby a Khmer name to honor her heritage and her birthplace. We chose the name Kalianne, because not only is it a lovely Cambodian name, but it also includes the name of her grandmother (Deborah Ann) and both great-grandmothers on Katie’s side (Julie Ann and Lora Ann). We call her Kalli for short.

Her middle name, Faith, is inspired by Hebrews chapter 11. Our prayer for her is that she would one day have her own faith in Jesus, and that just like the individuals described in this passage of Scriptures, she would be bold in living out her faith and sharing it with the world.