A personal birthing experience for me was the birth of my son. This was my first child. I remember lying in the hospital bed having contractions. Everything was going fine. In the final stage of labor, I begin to bleed heavy. I was in a lot of pain. I was nervous and afraid. Doctors and nurses came with different types of machines and equipment. The doctors were able to see and monitor my baby. My baby was stuck in a transverse position. The baby’s side was trying to come instead of the baby’s head for delivery. My baby was stuck! Thank God I was in a clinical setting. The doctor said the baby had to be delivered by cesarean section. My blood pressure was very high and my body was going into shock. I was taken to the Operating Room for emergency surgery. I was scared and concerned about the baby’s health. After the baby was born and I came out of recovery, I had no interest in my baby. I was in a lot of pain. I did not want to see or hold my child. I only wanted something for the pain and was tired and sleepy. Later that day, I noticed a change in my appetite. These were signs and symptoms of postpartum depression. I feel that first time births should be done in a clinical setting because, I never had any complications doing my pregnancy or delivery until the baby was ready to be born.
If I had not been in the hospital, I probably could have died and my baby also. In Netherlands delivery at home attended by a registered midwife or nurse has been the norm for quite a while. Deliveries are considered a natural part of life. The United States is medicalized. Netherlands has one of the lowest infant mortality rates of the world. Netherlands has a large network of certified midwifes, who guide almost all pregnancies. Only when serious problems occur during pregnancy or delivery an obstetrician is involved. The family doctor is almost never involved in pregnancies / deliveries. Like the United States, women do have checkups every month. Your blood pressure is measured, your weight, and they feel your belly: first the size of the uterus, later the position of the baby. The only difference with a delivery at home is that you use a labor room in a hospital. In the United States, a delivery room is also available.
If I had not been in the hospital, I probably could have died and my baby also. In Netherlands delivery at home attended by a registered midwife or nurse has been the norm for quite a while. Deliveries are considered a natural part of life. The United States is medicalized. Netherlands has one of the lowest infant mortality rates of the world. Netherlands has a large network of certified midwifes, who guide almost all pregnancies. Only when serious problems occur during pregnancy or delivery an obstetrician is involved. The family doctor is almost never involved in pregnancies / deliveries. Like the United States, women do have checkups every month. Your blood pressure is measured, your weight, and they feel your belly: first the size of the uterus, later the position of the baby. The only difference with a delivery at home is that you use a labor room in a hospital. In the United States, a delivery room is also available.
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience with the birth of your first child. I am sure it was a very scary time for you. Did you have anyone with you to offer support while you were there? In our readings, it said that women who had emotional support during the birthing process often did better in the long run. I hope you had support. Did you end up going through postpartum and how did you deal with that? I admire you for sharing and letting us experience such an important time in your life with the class. Thank you!
Kate
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteIts nice to meet you! I enjoyed reading your post! I had some of the same questions as Kate. I was able to escape postpartum with my third pregnancy. What advice you you give to expectant mothers that could help them when dealing with situations similar to yours?
Ladies,
ReplyDeleteYes, that was the scariest day of my life, I thought I nor my child would pull through this ordeal but we did. I didn't have to go through postpartum because I was getting better day by day. The only supporters by my side was my husband, family, nurses and the good Lord from above.
Ladies,
ReplyDeleteYes, that was the scariest day of my life, I thought I nor my child would pull through this ordeal but we did. I didn't have to go through postpartum because I was getting better day by day. The only supporters by my side was my husband, family, nurses and the good Lord from above.
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your birthing experience.Postpartum is scary. Glad you did not weather the storm. With a support team like that you can move forward. Again, thanks for sharing.
I am sorry your experience was so scary but I am glad you and you and your son made it through the experience unharmed. It can be scary when an emergency c-section has to be performed, and I am glad your outcome was positive!
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for sharing your experience. I have not yet had a child of my own or witnessed childbirth in person. Your words drew me in and took me right into your delivery room. I am glad that you and your baby were well after the birth. I know that having postpartum must have been very difficult.
I found it interesting that in the Netherlands has one of the lowest infant mortality rates. I like the idea of having a home birth or a water birth. I would love if more birthing centers would open around the U.S. to give women more options for child birth. When my sister was pregnant I watched the film, The Business of Being Born. I loved it.
My sister had thoroughly researched having a water birth in her home. She had a midwife and a doula. Her pregnancy was normal however, her doctor recommended having her baby in a hospital setting. My sister disagreed.
About a week before she was to give birth, there was a terrible snow storm and her midwife who lived more than an hour away could not make their upcoming appointment. My sister scrabbled to find another midwife and was unsuccessful.
Near her due date, my sister went into labor. She arranged to have her baby at the hospital. She labored in her bath tub for hours and went to the hospital. Her baby was delivered naturally within 30 minutes of her arrival to the hospital.
For her second baby, she planned to have a hospital birth. This time she lost a lot of blood and passed out after her delivery. It was a bit more traumatic but she made through. Her children are 3 and 1 1/2 now.
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteYour story was very touching. I had to have a C-section with my first daughter, because she was stuck in the birthing canal. Her head was swelling. She wasn't able to move anymore. After the procedure I had high blood pressure as well. I had so much pain medication that I wasn't able to hold my baby. I wasn't able to see her until 6:00 the next morning. (I had her at 7:22pm) But when I seen her I didn't want to let her go. I pray that you have a bond with your son that no one can break! All the pain was worth that blessing.