Child birth Experience
My experience with birth relates to my daughter and what she experienced during the time of her pregnancy. At the onset of her pregnancy, the thought of having my first grandchild, brought me much joy and excitement. But during her fourth month, the joy and excitement turned into fear and a lot of worrying. After her fourth month, she was in constant pain which caused her to be immobile. The pain was so severe that she often had shaking spells as if she was having a seizure. After her shaking spell, she was not aware of what was going on around her. The doctor informed us that she was shaking as a result of the tremendous amount of pain that she endured. Even though the doctor didn't understand what was going on, they felt as if she was having a healthy pregnancy.
When we arrived at the hospital, the doctor informed us that she was in labor, but it was slow. The doctor instructed us that she had to walk to help speed up the process. He informed us that it was going to be a long night! After walking for several hours, the nurse informed us that my daughter had been in labor long enough without medication and it was time to give her some, if that is what she wanted. We agreed. My daughter was in and out. I'm not sure if she was aware of what was going on. Hours later they prepared her for the epideral and then it was show time. As time went on it was time to push, the more she pushed the more the baby seemed to have went further up, making it difficult to push him out. The doctor and nurse finally decided that after all the pain that she endured, it was time for help. The doctor then sunctioned the baby out. I had never seen anything like that before! It was amazing and scary at the same time. I just thanked God that both mother and son made it through that long journey of 18 hours!
We thought after she gave birth, that the trouble and pain would end, but we were wrong. After she gave birth, her muscles continued to lock up, her body was in severe pain, and the shaking spells continued. Finally, after two years of running back and forth to doctors, she was diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia. Doctors believed that the pregnancy brought the illnesses to the forefront.
I choose to talk about this pregnancy because it was totally different from what I experienced. My daughter's pregnancy was unique because of the unique symptoms that she experienced as a result of her pregnancy. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy inspite of the medications that she was given to help ease her pain.
It is my belief that if the mother has a healthy lifestyle free from drugs, and alcohol, and she receives the proper prenatal care the baby will develop normally with a slim chance of a birth defects.
South Africa and Their Birthing Procedure
Women in South Africa experiences are totally different from what we experience during pregnancy. In South Africa women who are in labor are often mistreated and not given the proper care at the time of delivery. During the labor process they are physically and verbally abused. They were made to cleanup their beds after labor. They were often left unattended, not given any antibiotics or pain medication. Women in South Africa were refused admission in hospitals even while in labor. They are given c-sections without permission and was often discharged from the hospital inappropriately.
From what I have read in The Shocking Truth About Giving Birth, there is no comparison. Even though my daughter's experienced alot of pain, she received the proper care needed throughout the pregnancy. The women in South Africa are treated as if they were being punished for having a baby.
Christian Nordqvist. (2011, August 8). "The Shocking Truth About Giving Birth in South Africa." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232413.php
Sheila,
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you have a healthy grandson and that now your daughter has a diagnosis so that she can get the proper treatment she needs.
I researched births in underdeveloped countries and was alarmed at the conditions just as you told about in your research, as well. In the poorest countries, only 1 in 100 mothers have any type of trained personnel assisting in the birth process (Lewis, 2008). From what you are reporting, it sounds like even those receiving assistance are not treated very well.
Lewis, Susan. (2008). WGBH (Producers). Retrieved from: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/maternal-health.html