Giving birth to my two girls will always be the most memorable
experience that my brain will ever remember. Thanks to our Lord, they turned out to be very healthy natural
births with no complications. I had both births 4 years apart, but the nervousness
and fatigue were the same. I want to talk about my last one since it was only
four months ago. My second girl’s name is Rennata, when she was born everything
happened so slowly but when I started pushing she was with us in only 25
minutes. It seems that mothers are the only ones who suffer when going through
labor, but babies also are tense. They experience a rise of adrenaline much
stronger than a heart attack, they breathe for the first time, and it is pointless
to say that it is crucial that they perform this action vigorously. After giving
birth, many mothers could suffer depression. Post-partum depression affects the
mother directly and indirectly to the baby. A recent study on depression showed
that mothers who didn’t interact with their babies with apathy (due to
depression), these babies demonstrated major implications with their heart and
brain development (Berger, 2009). Without a doubt, the task of being born and
being dependable from older adults is not easy. We are so vulnerable at this
stage, that any abnormal situation could be perpetrated in our lives.
Cultural influences are so strong, that even births are different
because of this. I chose the Netherlands as a country to learn more about
births. In Holland about 50 % of women give birth at their home. Doctors are
only required for uncommon cases. Another interesting fact, was that the
epidural in only given if it fits the anesthesiologist’s schedule, or if an obstetrician
demands it. Definitely, here in the U.S. we are pampered and spoiled. I
honestly can’t think myself surviving without the epidural. But I guess is
always from a cultural point of view.
References
Berger, K. S.
(2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Schalken, L. (n.d.). Birth customs around the
world. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/?page=2
I agree we are definitely spoiled here! I couldn't imagine going through labor without an epidural!! You make such a good point about how vulnerable babies are at this early stage. So many things can effect how they develop. The relationship between mother and child is so important and if a mother is depressed and is not able to bond with her baby, the effects can be so negative. Great point!
ReplyDeleteHeather
Unfortunately, I am guilty of post-partum depression mainly because I was re-hospitalized after labor and delivery due to extreme blood loss and had to have a blood transfusion performed. I was extremely sad and depressed becasue at that moment I needed medical care and could not provide it for my own child who was less than a week old. I felt hopeless and even after returning home, I feared having to go through it all over again. That experience affected me mentally as I now try to remind myself that "every pregnancy is different". Now, almost 19 months later, I have gotten to the point where I do want more children but I pray that post-partum depression doesn't hit as hard when I decide to have a 2nd child. CONGRATS on your two little girls. I hope my next is a girl! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a cultural shock for me to know that the epidural is provided only by appointment in the Netherlands. Wow, I could not imagine giving birth without it. This only reminds me to count my blessings because not every is as fortunate. Women are strong and endure alot, God stored alot in us to be able to bear things throughout this lifetime.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very interesting to me, I find it very interesting that babies, experience a rise of adrenaline during birth, I never knew that. It is also amazing to me the different birthing methods & procedures that women from all around the world go through just to bring a new life into the world.
ReplyDelete