My Birth Experience
I remember on Sunday March 10th, 1991 I
was 8 months pregnant when I started to have pains in my stomach. My auntie
told me it was probably something I ate but I said, “I think it’s time”. Half an hour later the pains were 2 minutes
apart and I was in the back seat of my auntie’s car moaning and groaning,
trying to keep calm. One month prior I had packed a bag for my hospital stay
and headed to the hospital. We then arrived at the hospital at 11: 30 pm and
they took me back and realized I had dilated 3 centimeters but my water had not
broken. The midwife told me my little bundle of joy was ready to make her grand
entrance. At that moment I was full of different emotions, crying, screaming,
laughing etc. They induced my labor and broke my water. Twenty one hours later on
Monday March 11, 1991 at 9:05 pm, my beautiful little baby girl was born. She
was taken from me immediately because she had jaundice, a yellow-colored pigment of red blood
cells. The nurse later broke her to me so I could feed her and bond with her. I
went back the next day and spent the day and on Wednesday I took her home.
I chose my birth experience because it was one of
the most painful yet beautiful things I have ever experienced. When I saw her
head popping out, I was so amazed. She was so tiny and all I wanted to do was
hold her close to me because she so special. She was so perfect.
I feel child development is very important because
my daughter was born with low birth weight. I did not gain any weight instead I
loss because I was sick for the first seven months. I was depressed and I never
knew what I was going through would affect my daughter’s development. Even though
I went to my regular doctor’s appointment I didn't always follow what the
doctor said nor did I always eat healthy. It's important to keep yourself with
information about the many ways to keep you and your baby as healthy as
possible.
Births in Holland
Births in Holland are a little different from births
here in the United States. Women in Holland do not use obstetricians they use
their family doctor refers them to a local midwife and doctors only intervene
if there are complications. Women also choose between home birth and going to a
hospital and over half of the women give birth at home. All expectant mothers
in Holland are required to pick up a kraampakket that includes all of the
medical supplies necessary for a home birth. (Schalken)
Reference
Schalken, L. (n.d.).
Birth customs around the world.
Wow, what a story. At least you knew it was time, my sister-in-law, suffered all night because she though she had gas. I'm glad everything worked out well for you and your little one. Thanks for being honest and sharing that you did not always follow the advice of your doctor. I didn't as well and wasn't so lucky. My little girl died shortly after birth because I failed to follow the doctors' orders. I was supposed to be on bed rest, but because I felt fine I decided to go on a weekend trip (to relax) and went into premature labor. The drive and walking was too much. I believe we take for granted the little life that we are responsible for and the impacts of what we do and don't do during pregnancy. implications of development begins even before conception. I read an article years ago, I don't remember what publication it was in, but it discussed the health of babies based upon what we do before conception. Drinking, poor nutrition, drugs, even over the counter, and our mental state may predetermine the health and wellness of an unborn child. It was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI often tell my story to help prevent others from going through what I went through. Development encompasses many things and is vitally important at all phases of a child's life, even before being born. Many other countries don't have the privileges that we have, yet we fail to take advantage of them.
What a story! It sounds like you mother's "intuition" was right about having your daughter! Not to mention the long labor!! Like you, I had so many emotions when I found out I was having my daughter, 7 weeks early. Thank goodness for medical advances in our country. I think no matter what we go through, to have our children, it's all worth it in the end! :)
ReplyDelete