Saturday, September 7, 2013

Childbirth in My Life and All Around the World


People always told me that your second child comes faster than your first child and my son proved them right.  My first son was 3 weeks early.  I recall the morning I began labor and I kept trying to breathe through it because I figured it was another bout of Braxton Hicks.  By the time I got to work, I realized that something else was going on.  One of my employees drove me to the hospital and I was quickly admitted.  I was so afraid of pain during my first pregnancy that I went in to the hospital with the mindset of getting an epidural as soon as the pain was bad.  Throughout my second pregnancy, I decided that I was going to try and make it through without the epidural.  Well that didn’t happen!  As soon as the nurse told me it was my last opportunity to get the epidural, I jumped right on it.  A couple of hours later, my son was ready to make his appearance; however, the doctor wasn’t there yet.  The nurses encouraged me to try not to push and hold on until the doctor came into the room.  After waiting for what seem like eternity, the doctor finally arrived and my son made his entrance.

I would say that both of my deliveries were pretty common deliveries in America.  I choose to talk about the birth of my second son because I remember having discussions with several different people about giving “natural” birth.   I remember wanted to fill like I could accomplish what other women did before me.  But when it all came down to it, I had to do what was best for me and what allowed me to mentally bring a child into the world.  Epidurals are not as uncommon as I once believed, as matter of fact, I found Australia was similar to the United States, with a lot women delivering babies at hospitals and receiving epidurals.

3 comments:

  1. I too decided during my first and only pregnancy I would do it without any pain medication. I had read too many things about the effects later on and didn't want to experience those. The pain is intense! I ended up getting an epidural. I pushed for 3 hours so by the time I was actually giving birth the epidural has worn off.

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  2. Dalhia,

    Like you and Sarah I was advised to get an epidural which I did but believe it was wasted as my son ended being delivered by C-section. Many of my friends also chose getting the epidural which they were glad they did. I'm glad we have that choice here in the United States.

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  3. I do admire your efforts to try the idea out, but what most Americans find is the comfort of the usual hospital experience.
    I was interested to read that in some cultures like in West Africa, they give birth in different positions that are supposed to aid in the pain, like a squatting position, this seems to be a good idea in my opinion. Although I am not a mother, and have never had to go through the scary ideal of childbirth myself, when I am having my monthly cycle, certain positions like squatting aid in the menstrual pains. I myself am also an advocate for natural childbirths, my mother had all of us, (excluding my older twin sisters) at home in a natural way.

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