My Birthing Experience

My Birthing Experience When my sister would watch childbirth on TLC and other educational channels, I thought it was disgusting. It was not until I had my first child in 2004 before I began to view childbirth as a miracle. I would have to say that I had a great childbirth, I didn't have any morning sickness, I was happy go lucky, and I was willing to work up until the day I delivered. My sister and mom talked me into having a natural birth without any medications by saying, “If we can do it, we know you can do it.” I can remember it like it was yesterday. My fiancee had just left for work, that morning when I began to feel some pains in my upper legs and lower back. I called my best friend to let her know that I couldn't watch her daughter that day because of the nagging I was having. She replied by stating, “girl you are in labor. “ Then I said, no I am not due until next week, and she said girl look I had a baby before and I know you are having labor pains. She told me to get in the shower, that it will make me feel a little better, and her daughter and she were on their way to the house. I remember jumping in the shower, but I didn't realize that I was in there for 30 to 45 minutes. Once I got out I heard someone banging on the door. As I slowly made my way to the door, I head my best friend and her daughter calling my name as I opened the door, they told me that had been out there knocking and calling my name for 15 minutes straight. I told them that the shower felt so good, that I got out and then got back in the shower. They were rushing me to go to the doctor, but I told them I wanted to wait until 10:00 am because I was schedule for a doctor’s appointment. I arrived at the doctors a little bit early, my friend told me to sit down as she went to check me in and stated that she thought I was in labor. Well that 15 minutes seam like in turned into 3 hours. The pain wasn't really hurting but was nagging, so I finally got into the room, I had to come out so the nurse could test my weight, height, and urine. Then the doctor came in and did the usually check, he stated that I was losing amniotic fluid and the next thing I know they were putting me in the room with another person to take a stress test for about 1hr or 2. I was talking and laughing with my best friend and she would state hey girl you didn’t feel that contraction it is going over the line. I stated what contraction I just feel uncomfortable. Then the doctor came in and said we are sending you to the Women’s Hospital across the street, and I said no not yet I am not due until next week. I called my fiancée who worked 30 minutes away and told him it was time. Once I got in my room the nurse said that I could take a shower and I sent my friend out to bring me some lunch before they had considered me in Real Labor. I was in labor for exactly 24 hours and they had to give me so meds to help with dilating my cervix, because I was having contractions but my cervix was not dilating. In the room with me it was my mom, cousin, my finance and his mom. The nurse couldn’t believe that I went from a 1 to a 9 in an hour. I woke up and asked for the doctor, I said I think it is time. I heard the doctor laughing in the hallway. I told him to stop laughing and to get in here, the baby is coming. I pushed 4 times 2 for the head, 1 for the rest of the body and 1 for the afterbirth. My fiancee was in the corner recording it. It took me 4 years to watch the tape and all you can hear in the back ground is a deep voice saying ill that is nasty! (my fiancee). I had a little boy 5lbs. 15 oz and 22 in. long. He was and still is adorable, my bundle of joy. I could say that I had never experienced anything like that before. It is the miracle of life. Another Region In the World Birth Experience In many parts of the country prenatal care and neo-natal care is not like in the US. I took a look at the sub-Saharan Africa region of the world. These mothers would have their babies at the house with out any prenatal care and usually most of the times an elderly women in the town will deliver the baby if arrived on time. The author of this piece; Otolorin stated that “The integration of family planning and primary health care services is also crucial.”(Otolorin, 1986) Here in a small town a group of outreach members, included doctors, and nurses visited to assist women with complication of deliveries especially women whom had 4 or more births. The also help and trained people to help mothers with becoming aware of danger signs, including anemia, sepsis, hemorrhage, obstructed labor, and eclampsia, as well as covering topics such as oral re-hydration therapy, immunizations, and breast feeding. This was totally different from when I delivered my baby. I was blessed and capable of having prenatal care and a great delivery. I wasn't worried about any complications if so there were doctors and nurses there to assist with early treatment. Before we left the hospital, the nurse made sure that he had his first shot, a pediatrician and appointment all lined up. I have learned that if you are not knowledgeable of something then you shouldn't be held accountable. Otolorin, EO. 1986. Maternity, infant care needs remain unmet in sub-Saharan African. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12267950SimilarShare