Childbirth––In My Life and Around the World

I have given birth three times and came home with three amazing children.  I wanted to be a mom for so long...we started trying for our first child just before we got married.  After being quite unsuccessful we sought professional help and went through lots of testing when they told me that they didn't think I was ovulating, which made sense to me.  So, now I had a reason and we would fix this...two weeks later, I called the doctor and told them I was pregnant!  I was so excited and overjoyed.  Now we had the wait until our baby made her way into the world.  On October 8, 1992 I went to work just like any other day, she wasn't due until October 27, when I started having a terrible back ache.  I didn't think much of it as it seems a lot of women have back pains while pregnant.  By the time I arrived home that day I was in a whole lot of pain and I sat rocking on my livingroom floor waiting for my husband to get home.  We then went to the hospital and we were admitted right away.  They thought my water had broke much earlier and there was some concern, but labor took it's course and four hours later I had my baby girl, Ryann Nicole.  She was perfect and beautiful!  I remember how much pain I was feeling and how I couldn't wait to hold my baby.  I choose this example because it was my first child, they were all memorable though!  My thoughts regarding birth and its impact on child development is that we hope things go well and that the baby doesn't experience any trauma during delivery.  I also hope that children come into the world being loved and feeling safe. 

I found an article in Parents magazine about giving birth around the world.  The author, Lara Schalken, moved from Texas to the Netherlands with her husband and gave birth to their son.  Most births there are performed by midwives and the majority of births occur at home.  They also desire a natural child birth with no drugs.  Germany has similiar customs with midwives being highly respected.  In Germany, a woman takes leave six weeks before giving birth and cannot work for eight weeks after and can take up to three years unpaid leave and still have her job.  The last year is a floating year and either parent can take that time!  The Japanese also regard having a natural child birth without drugs highly desirable although doctors are recommending epidurals to help ease pain.  In Brazil and Turkey there have been higher rates of cesarean births.  Each of these countries also have customs in regards to visitors and special foods or drinks that are shared after the birth of their child.  There are many differences, but also many similarities.  We have midwives here, but they aren't as respected and sought out.  I saw a midwife when I had my third child and if I had had a fourth, I would have opted for a home delivery.  In some of these countries, mom and child stay in bed for almost a month!  In some they are sent home within hours of their delivery.  We get sent home usually after 24hours, but we certainly don't get to stay in bed for a month...there is always so much to do!  I found it very interesting to read about other countries and how women around the world give birth. 

references:
Shalken, L.  Birth customs around the world.  Parents.  Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/?page=1