Childbirth In Your Life and Around the World

Write about a personal birthing experience. It can be your own birth, your child's birth, or one you took part in. What do you remember about the event? Why did you choose this example? What are your thoughts regarding birth and its impact on child development?

I think I would like to take about the birth of my daughter. I can remember going into the hospital every Friday night starting on December 22, 1994 and the doctor sending me home every Sunday afternoon. I know everyone is more than likely thinking- WHAT? Well it was true this was my first child and my doctor was already concern about the pregnancy. I had gotten so good at connecting the heart monitor around my stomach the nurses would just come in to make sure it was done correctly. 

The final and last time I went into the hospital was February 17, 1995. Mt doctor had told me he was stopping my labor yet again and I just could not let it happen. I cannot explain it call a connection with my daughter but I just knew she was to be born on a Friday and it would be cold outside as well as raining. I explained to my doctor that if he would just break my water I would dialect.  What I have not told you yet was that I would go to 3 cm and then stop. He broke my water and the next thing you knew I was in full blown labor. The pain was awful but I knew the outcome would be worth it. 

I was given an epidural and mane did it help. Now for all you that have been in labor will understand the joy and love to the person who developed this miracle drug. However, it soon weaken and was no long of any help I was given more of the wonderful drug. This was great but it had a single side effect I was not ready for I literally could not move from my waist down for two days. Yes, I gave labor with the help of my doctor, nurse, and my mother. Now image this my obstruction is using a plugged type thing the nurse is on top me with a belt around my waist and my mother pushing my back up. (To be honest the only thing I did was squeeze the rails and shut my eyes like I was pushing.) I gave birth to a wonderful little girl who weighed 9 pounds and 6 oz. However, my beautiful little girl was having trouble breathing. I looked at my doctor and he looked at and just got up and took over from the nurse and got her to breath.

I believe that children who just come into this world is eager for knowledge and can grasp everything going on the moment they take their first breath. They are make connection social and emotional with their mother the first time they are held. They start to learn sounds and facial expression from those around them even if we cannot see it at the time.

This experience was a life altering moment in my life that could have easily gone the wrong way if it was not for the well trained doctor and nurse. I understand that most countries are not as fortunate as we are in United States to have access to the a health care system that not only advances at just a mind blowing pace but to have the understanding of and reassurance of the medical profession as a whole. However, this is not always the case in other countries such as Africa.

Choose a region of the world or a country, other than the U.S., and find out how births happen there. Write about what you learned, and the differences and similarities with your experience (in the personal example you provided). What additional insights, if any, about the impact of the birthing experience on development, did you gain from this comparison?

 I chose the country of Africa; I was interested in why it was such as risk for mothers to give birth. I found an article that help me to better understand why this happens and I must say before I get started I am glad to live in the U.S.A...  “Pregnancy and childbirth complications are the leading cause of death and injury for women in developing countries.” (The Guardian, 2012)  While mothers who are to give birth are often assist by other family members or mid-wife they were not well trained; in fact “only 37 percent of births are in least developed countries are attend by skilled health workers.” (The Guardian, 2012)  Infant fatality of mother deaths can be linked to several factors but the most common three could as follows according to The Guardian,

·         Delay in seeking care: women may have to get permission from the male head of the household, may not recognize the emergency, or may fear attending a health care facility. 

·          Delay in arriving at a health care facility: transportation may be unavailable, unaffordable or simply take too long.

·          Delay in receiving care once at the health care facility: health centers may lack staff, equipment or supplies; richer patients or males may be seen first; or care may be unaffordable.

References:

The Guardian. (2012). Giving birth - the most dangerous thing an African woman can do?

Unknown Author, Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/journalismcompetition/giving-birth-the-most-dangerous-thing-an-african-woman-can-do

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