My personal birthing experience was when I gave birth to my first child. This was and still is a lifetime experience. I was in labor with my daughter for 18 1/2 hrs. After being in labor for that long period of time, she had not dropped far enough that I could deliver her, so the nurse asked me to walk around for a little to see if she would drop. This was very hard for me to do because I was experiencing hard contractions, but I tried. After walking for about 5 minutes, I made my way back to the room, only to discover that she still had not dropped any. I was then taken to the delivery room and the nurse told me to start pushing , to see if she would start coming, but no luck at all. The doctor had to use forceps in order for me to deliver her. What an experience that was, but I gave birth to a healthy 6lbs. 21oz. baby girl on July 8, 1991. I chose this example because this was my first born child and a personal experience that will stay with me forever. There's nothing more precious than giving birth to a child. it gives you that assurance and confidence of knowing that for 9 months you carried and watched a fetus grow inside of you and now it has developed into a baby. Childbirth has an impact on child development because it is where everything begins and progresses and develops through the child's life.
In Africa, mostly the rural areas, where resources are scarce, ladies give birth at home with the elderly ladies of the family assisting. If any complications arises while the lady gives birth, no help is available at hand. They have traditional birth attendants that can advise them about nutritional needs and help the expectant mother with small changes that may be occurring with her body, but they are not reliable when the delivery progress starts. I learned that in poorer regions of the world, ladies give birth at home and not at hospitals or medical facilities and without doctors, nurses or midwives. I feel very grateful that i was able to give birth in a hospital, with support from my family, doctors and nurses. It is very unfortunate that ladies who are from poorer areas or regions of the world are not able to receive any prenatal or medical care or assistance of doctors or midwives to help through the labor and delivery process. This increases maternal and infant deaths, especially in Africa.
Ali, S. (2011). Giving Birth in Africa: A Moment of Joy or Agony and Fear. Retrieved from
http://cureafrica.com/blog
I love how colorful your blog is!! I also enjoyed reading your post about your personal birth experience...you are a trooper!! I've not had children, but the thought of 18+ hours of labor makes me nervous!!! The information you found on Africa is similar to what I found on the Phillipines regarding births at home(which most women do in Africa and the Phillipines) versus a medical facility. Aren't we lucky to have the option of such great medical facilities ??
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience Tonya, your daughter's birth sounds similar to my birth. I cannot begin to imagine a labor that last that long, I am curious about a couple of things......1. do you have other children? and 2. do you think the length of the birth, the energy you put into it has any direct relation to the closeness you have with your child? I know this is an odd question, I have a friend from childhood who was not an easy delivery and her mother still, after 40+ years, reminds her of how hard it was and how much it hurt and it actually has been a burden on their relationship. So I am curious if this is just their dynamic or if it is something can happen to others.....
ReplyDelete