CHILD BIRTH IN YOUR LIFE AND AROUND YOU

Image result for animated images of childbirth

I was extremely scared of childbirth. I DO NOT handle pain well at all. I had been fortunate enough to avoid any kind of surgery or stitches. I cry every time I get a needle. My entire pregnancy I heard my doctor tell my mom because of my age I would have a C-section. My mother would respond, "I promise you everything is going to be okay." Then I would proceed to tell her just how scared I was, but I was determined to get through the pregnancy.
My childbirth experience began at the early age of 15. I had no idea my life would change so drastically. August 23, 1993 was the day I gave birth to my first child. I remember going through the hospital doors and up to labor and delivery. I was just a child myself and was about to experience a life changing event.
I got moved into my room and my induction got started. I, amazingly, only shed a few tears after they finally managed to get the IV into my hand. They started the meds to induce labor and I felt fine. The contractions began about an hour after starting the medication. I remember crying to my mother telling her how excruciating the pains were.
I remember my doctor walking in, and I was happy to see him. He checked me and said that he was putting an internal monitor on the baby, and then suddenly, this horrible pain started!! My doctor had broken my water. I was so upset. I was so scared to get an epidural because of the stories I was told by my friends. So, I sat there screaming and hollering after every pain. After about 2 hours, I delivered a 5-pound, 2 ounces baby boy vaginally no cesarean.

I chose my own birthing experience because I learned so much from this experience. That very moment I felt fearless. This experience has made me a better, stronger, and wiser person.

 West Africa Childbirth Traditions
It is customary for delivery to occur with the woman squatting on the ground surrounded by sisters and female relatives, some of whom function as midwives. Midwives get paid only if delivery is successful. A stool is also often used in childbirth. Men are never present at birth (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). The child birthing experiences differ in many ways. I have learned that every culture is different and unique and there is no wrong or right way to giving birth when it comes to culture. 

Reference

West Africa Childbirth Traditions. (2018) Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6558064

Comments

  1. Tracey MercerMay 13, 2018 at 12:57 PM

    Hi Yolanda,

    I wanted to first start off with a question, since you have had a child are you still fearful of needles??
    You are a very brave lady and you will be able to let young females know are pregnant at an early age, how fearful you where but you make it even though it was painful you did it!!!! Having experienced having is something that you will never forget, the bond is amazing.

    West Africa

    I respect people who have different cultures, but this is one culture that I wouldn't want to do. I rather have a child in the hospital with an doctor delivering me baby. Squatting down without any help is more pain to me because you are doing all of the work, then you are squatting on your knees. I commend those women but I probably would be so weak!!!! The women in West Africa are use to having births squatting and it probably doesn't bother them, it's their culture. We have to respect how they deliver their babies whether we agree or not.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Donna HoltMay 13, 2018 at 1:03 PM

    Yolanda,

    For being so young, you were very strong and brave to overcome your fears. What a blessing it is to have your mother's support throughout the birthing experience. Thank you for sharing your story.

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Wonderful World of TeachingMay 23, 2018 at 9:33 PM

    I like the cartoon picture.

    ReplyDelete

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