Childbirth

Although, I have yet to become pregnant and give birth; I have had the joyous experience of witnessing the birth of my cousin, who is now four years old. I have assisted her mother, who is also my cousin throughout her pregnancy and after three failed trips to the birthing center in four days. Sh'Miyae was born on March 31, 2007, a beautiful and healthy baby girl. This was a happy time for everyone. I remember Sh'Miyae's mother refusing Epidural and the pain she suffered while giving birth. I also remember her wanting to watch Sh'Miyae be delivered as well. The on-lookers attempted to have her relax, breath and focus on a picture in the room however she had other plans. I sat and watched her scream, kick nurses and be an on-looker herself as Sh'Miyae was being delivered. We were a little scared because after Sh'Miaye was delivered she was not breathing correctly and there was a sense of fear and panic in the room which quickly subsided as her breathing was back to normal. I chose this example because its an example of a normal birth. This year, I have also had the unfortunate opportunity of witnessing the birth of a child that was born twenty-two before gestation and he did not survive. Witnessing these two births provided me with the opportunities to view both the ups and downs of pregnancy and childbirth and child development. In one of my favorite books, Yesterday, I Cried by Iyanla Vanzant, Mrs. Vanzant summarizes that the in which one comes into the world, is the way one behaves, thinks and personality traits. An example would be if a child is breeched and comes out of his or her mother's womb feet first. I would like to test this theory out.

Berger (2009) writes that In the United States, only 1 percent of births take place at home. I assumed that this number would be at least 5 percent. However, in other countries most births are at home. For example, in China babies are born at home (now in some hospitals) in an armchair or futon with the assistance of a midwife, the baby and mother are put on a "sit the month" which means the mother is free of household duties/chores and nurses herself and the baby for an entire month. The husband is not allowed to care for the child during this time. Also, during this time the baby receives its first bath on day 3. This birthing practice is complete opposite of what I have witnessed as ShiMiaye was cleaned, fed and observed by staff for one day. Then, she and her mother were eventually released from the birthing center the next day.  In American births, most are completed in a hospital and if the baby and mother are doing well then they are released within one to three days. The Chinese mother gets at least 30 days to bond and take care of herself and child while the American mother is sent home and scheduled for a doctor visit. The time time that the Chinese mother spends with her child allows the parent/child bond to strengthen and also encourages a trusting relationship as this mother's only duty is to take care of the child which further allows for healthy development for the child.