Childbirth In Your Life and Around the World

When I had my son about 20 years ago I was a young mother who was scared of what child birth would feel like. I remember it was on a Tuesday evening on August 6, 1991 when I felt a gush of water that flooded my feet. I knew something was soon to happen. I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance with my mother by my side to support me. Things happened fast, my son's father didn't have the chance to make it to the delivery room because he was out of town. The baby wanted to come and was not waiting for anyone, not even dad. I was dilated and ready for delivery by the time I got to the hospital. Once the delivery room was prepared and it was time to give birth, I was overwhelmed with pain. I was told to push several times and finally my son was born six pounds fifteen ounces. I was filled with so many emotions I cried and cried my new baby boy was born healthy. He reminded me of a little frog when I held him close. After having my son I went through a period of detachment. After all, motherhood was a new experience for me. I knew I loved my son but I felt some what disconnected. As I gained more experience as a mother and with the support of my family, I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful experiences I ever had. I have two children and both births are memorable but having my son was the first time giving birth therefore my emotions and experience was not the same as when I gave birth to my daughter. When I gave birth to my daughter it was ten years later, I was an experience mother and new what to expect, and thus it was a different experience. I personally feel that birth is definitely part of child development. My personal opinion is that child development begins from the time there is conception.

I recently read an article named Birth and a Vision: Lamaz Childbirth Education in Kenya, East Africa written by Jennifer I. Carroll. Years ago in Nairobi, Kenya when women gave birth, it was done in the home. A pregnancy in Kenya is view by family and the community as a blessing from God. The women in the family normally took care of pregnant woman with an elder woman, who attended the woman’s needs through birth. Today elder woman who attend pregnant women are called Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA). In recent years child birth in Nairobi, Kenya hospitals now have access to Lamaze class and men are more supportive during the birthing experience. Although stricken with poverty, unemployment, and struggling economy women still use TBA's to give birth in their homes because giving birth's in home is less costly. However, births in the urban areas of Kenya, women are not as prepared or informed about giving birth. The Lamaze program was setup to inform and educate women throughout their pregnancy.

In the United States many women who don't have health insurance have access to free clinics that provide services while their pregnant. Medicaid paid by federal government and states often help pay for hospital costs and medical visits for low income women. The financial difference I believe plays a large role in the development of children. Poverty, uneducated woman, and limited support during pregnancy are a prevalent comparison of the differences with the United States and Nairobi, Kenya.

If you’re interested in the article, you can find here
websitehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595210/pdf/JPE130027.pdf