Childbirth in My Life and Around the World
The Birth of My Child
I have three children. However, I
chose this experience because it is the most traumatic one, and similarly to The United States, I believe I was in a controlled setting. “Most U.S. births now
take place in hospital labour rooms with high- tech operating rooms nearby.”
(Berger, 2018)
On the other hand, in England, a
birthing pool is used to give birth.
Berger (2018) highlighted that. “birthing positions and places vary. Some cultures expect women to sit or squat upright, supported by family members; some doctors insist that women be lying down on their backs; some women give birth in a warm “birthing tub” of water.” Waterbirth was first administered to a lady who was giving birth in France in 1805, she had a very long and difficult labour. As a result, the warm water was used to ease the pain. Babies that were born in water were said to be calmer than those born in air.
According to a Headline Parental article, “During a
water birth, you’ll be submerged in water, usually in a stationary or
inflatable tub, and you’ll birth your baby in the water. You may also choose to
labour in water and deliver out of the water.”
The Benefits of Water Labour:
1. “Women
who labour in water may also have a lower cesarean section rate.”
2. “Women
who have water births reported less stress incontinence 42 days after delivery
then those who delivered on land.”
3. “Women
who births in water report higher birth satisfaction.”
4. “Laboring
in water may also decrease your need for epidurals or other spinal pain
relief.”
The Disadvantages of Water Labour:
1. “Water
births may not be recommended for women who are in preterm labour or who have
had two or more previous cesarean section deliveries.”
2. Babies
born in water may acquire infections or other diseases.
Postpartum Depression
Furthermore, according to Berger (2018) “When birth hormones
decrease, between 8 and 15 per cent of women experience postpartum depression, a
sense of inadequacy and sadness (called baby blues in the mild version and
postpartum psychosis in the most severe form).” I can relate to this experience
because after I went home from the hospital, the last thing my family members
did I was sad and depressed. I never thought of being hostile to the baby, but I
felt hostile towards the adults around me, whom I believed were overly
protective of the baby. This was to a point where I felt a level of violent
thinking and being emotionally unstable. I strongly believe that if the mother
is ill during pregnancy and after giving birth, it will dramatically affect the
development of the fetus or child. Because of the bond shared with the mother, the unborn or born child will sense that strain from the mother because they
are connected.
With postpartum
depression, baby care (feeding, diapering, bathing) feels very burdensome. The newborn’s
cry may not compel the mother to carry and nurse her infant. Instead, the mother
may have thoughts of neglect or abuse, thoughts so terrifying that she is
afraid of herself. She may be overprotective, insisting that no one else cares
for the baby. This signifies a fearful mother, not a healthy one. (Berger, 2018)
Postpartum depression will occur especially in
families of low socioeconomic background. A mother who gives birth and does not have
the next meal is bound to be depressed. Not only that, but if there are
relationship problems. When lactating mothers are unable to nurse their babies
for whatever reasons, this is also stressing to both mothers and children.
Reference
Berger, K. S. (2018). The developing person through childhood (8th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
The History of Water Birth https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a542003/the-history-of-water-birth
Marcin A.
(, 2018). What is Water Birth https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/water-birth#overview
Wow! You had a very long labor! I’m glad everything turned out great!
ReplyDeleteHi Sherida!
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to know that you were fortunate not to have complications after you were involved in the accident and it must have been a pleasant relief to see your precious son after so many hours of labor. Great job, you are such a brave woman!
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ReplyDeleteHello Sherida,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the experience of your son’s birth, although it was a long and difficult one. You must have been more nervous after the accident since it was so close to your delivery date and you mentioned that your blood pressure was elevated too. I was wondering if the Pitocin medicine was given in the correct dosage because you were still being induced when the other women were finished before you in the afternoon. Were your other children born by natural birth or with medication? Some women prefer natural childbirth, but myself, I am not that brave.
I can also remember the three times I gave birth, and I was induced all three times. My first two daughters were several days late, and my son had to be induced because I had preeclampsia. They all were very long labor and delivery. But I also had an epidural, so my pain was not so intense to be unbearable, just uncomfortable. Like you, I was admitted to the hospital at night and did not give birth until the next day. But I am thankful that there did not appear to be side effects after I gave birth.
-Juanita