My Personal Birthing Experience
For this blog I chose to write about the birthing experience with my son Layton. Layton was born December 26, 2006. I chose this birthing experience because I had to have a C-Section. My older two boys both were born vaginally and this was my first experience needing to have an emergency C-Section. I went into the hospital at 8:00 am and my water was broke and I was given pitocin to help my labor and dilation progress. I was doing great until I hit 5 centimeters. After this point I was not dilating anymore. The doctor gave me a little more medicine and wanted to give me some more time. At 10:30 I was still only a 6 and he decided that we needed to do a C-section because Layton was starting to become distressed. At 11:57 p.m. I delivered a beautiful 9lb 12oz baby boy. This was a scary experience for me, but I knew it was necessary for the safety of my child. I was concerned about the distress causing problems for Layton later on.
Birthing in Japan
I chose to focus on the birthing process in Japan for my assignment. Japan is similar to the United States in that they use hospitals, doctors, and nurses. I found it interesting that women giving birth in Japan do not like to use painkillers. In Japanese culture they feel the pain associated with the birthing process prepares women for motherhood. Another interesting fact I found is that fathers are only allowed to go into the delivery room with the mother if they participate in prenatal classes. Another custom in Japan is the mother and baby not go home after leaving the hospital, but they go to the mother’s parent’s house for 21 days. During these 21 days the new mom stays in bed with the newborn for bonding time.
I found it interesting that mothers in Japan have their parents help for the first 21 days. This gives new moms time to bond with their babies. In the United States you have many single parents that are sent home with no one to help them after the birthing process. This can be overwhelming for a first time mother and could play a role in post partum depression.
References:
Japan. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2011, from American Baby: http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/?page=4
Hi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the birth experience of your third son. I believe that it is a miracle when a mother and child are able to bond after a traumatic birth experience. Layton is almost five. It is amazing how mothers can usually remember the birth of each of their children. I hope Layton is doing great.
The information you shared about the Janpanese culture and their birthing options is insightful. Yes, it can be quite stressful for single parents and even dual parents if they do not have a support system. It is great that in Japan and in the Netherlands (I wrote about that culture on my blog) have avenues to lend support to women after they have given birth.
Thank you for sharing,
Sally Brooks
Thanks for sharing your experience Nicole, your blessed to have given birth to 3 blessings!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about the women Japan and their experience with child birth. I am amazed at how strong they are in refusing meds, I plan to have a natural birth for the same reasons that they give! Thanks for sharing.