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.
Wow, you are lucky that you were in a setting where a c-section could happen quickly! Thanks for the information about the Netherlands. It is very interesting that they have very low infant mortality, but mostly have homebirths. It tells me the midwives are very knowledgable and skilled at their jobs!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. I too had a complicated delivery and would have had to have a blood transfusion and complications with Jayden had there not been modern technology and folks that know how to use it. I think we are truly blessed to live in the United States and feel sad for those that take it for granted. Thanks for sharing your personal experience, those are always my favorite to hear!
ReplyDeleteoh Deborah what an experience! Yes post partum depression is real! I am glad you had a hospital so you and your baby both had a chance to survive! How scared you must have been when they told you your baby was stuck! Many miracle on the blogs this week!
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your birthing experience with us, you were fortunate to receive the medical attention you needed! Postpartum depression is real and it is something that is not always talked about, so again, thank you for sharing your personal experience with us. The information from the Netherlands is really interesting-to have such low infant mortality rates and high rates of home births! I agree with Jackie, it shows that those who are assisting in the births must be very knowledgeable and skilled-it would be great if this pattern could be repeated worldwide and infant mortality rates could begin to decrease...what a great example! I also liked how you chose two very different experiences-yours where quick medical attention was life-saving, and the Netherlands where most of the births are out of a hospital setting.
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ReplyDeleteDeborah,
ReplyDeleteMany women suffer from postpartum depression. It is a very serious illness that occurs after childbirth. You did not experience the normal reactions of a woman who has given birth to a baby. I know it was an agonizing and confusing time for you. I am happy that you received excellent care in the hospital. I agree with you that it is important for women to deliver babies in the hospital. Complications can arise during childbirth even though you received excellent prenatal care.
I also suffered post partum depression w/ my 2nd son. People close to me kept trying to tell me nothing was wrong with me, that I was just pretending. But then my aunt, talked to my doctor and the doctor told her that I needed people to help me and to be there until Iwas ready to do it all. It last about a month, ans then I was ready to take care of my son.
ReplyDeleteI dont know what I would do if a doctors wasnt present for the birth of my child. I cant even see a midwife for my child, but im sure desperate call is for desperate measures. Im glad that we have a good medical sytem in the u.s
ReplyDeleteWow, I never thought that home livery was still practiced in so many countries around the world. It must be a wonderful experience for both the mother and the child, if no complications come across.
ReplyDeleteI had the experience of having a DULA, which is similar to a mid-wife but her job is more to coach you and your parthner on what to expect during and after delivery. She would also come every day for the first seven to 10 days to help me and my baby, she would fix me breakfast, care for the baby while took a bath and give me advise on child development activities to do with my baby.