This week in class we read about prenatal development through the birth of the baby. In this post I will discuss my personal birthing experience and the birthing experience of women in Japan.
I had my first birthing experience last year on July 16, 2014, with the birth of my daughter. It is an event that I remember like yesterday and will never forget. I was schedule to be educed on July 15. That morning me and her father woke up at 6 a.m. and made our way to the hospital. 12 hours had went by and nothing happened. The induction did not work. The doctor repeated the proceed, but my mucus plug had broke around 7pm. That is when all of the contractions started to hit and I was now in labor. The next day at 12pm my water broke, but there still was no baby, which I expected to follow a couple hours later. Around 6:30pm the doctor announced that I would be going into surgery for an emergency cesarean. They threw her father a scrub and all the gear to put on to go into the surgery room. I was kind of out from the anesthetics, all I remember is hearing a cry, and the nurse running over to me to rub the baby's cheek on my cheek. And in that moment I meet one of the greatest loves anyone can ask for.
I chose to share this example with you all because this is the only time I have every experienced child birth. I am not interested in seeing children being born, so therefore I never witness it before. I believe that birth has a lot to do with child development. Because if you think about it if a child is born prematurely their development could be delayed.
The country that I chose to discuss is Japan. Most women in Japan choose not to get an epidural because it is said that it is a test for the mother to endure pain in preparation for the challenge of motherhood. From the research that I done, I found out the the fathers are not allowed in the room if they did not attend birthing classes. And when it comes to having a c-section the fathers are not allowed in the room at all. After giving birth the mother and the child stay with the mothers parents for a month or longer. The mother must stay in the bed with the baby for 21 days. My experience is similar to the Japanese because the births take place at the hospital. They are different because fathers are not allowed in the hospital rooms. I feel like having the father in the room with me made me more comfortable.
Enjoyed your post! It is amazing how you can instantly have the overwhelming love for your child after you have just gone through the agonizing pain that childbirth brings. But, at that moment of birth you forget all the discomfort and the mother instinct takes over. I agree with you that child development does continue with the time a child is born. I do think that child development starts at the time of conception because the developing fetus depends on a mother taking care of her health so that can be passed along to the child.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post! It is amazing how you can instantly have the overwhelming love for your child after you have just gone through the agonizing pain that childbirth brings. But, at that moment of birth you forget all the discomfort and the mother instinct takes over. I agree with you that child development does continue with the time a child is born. I do think that child development starts at the time of conception because the developing fetus depends on a mother taking care of her health so that can be passed along to the child.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about Japanese birthing experiences! I think it's quite interesting that the mothers stay in bed for 21 days following labor and think it must be very challenging! I think many people could benefit from the custom of living with the mother's parents after the birth. I feel like that is a difficult time for new mothers and they could use the support.
ReplyDeleteI can not imagine not having my husband in the room while giving birth. I feel it is as much of his right to be there as the mothers. I like the idea of having a home birth, but I imagine it must be difficult. AS for having to stay in bed for 21 days that is crazy. I don't think I would be able to do it. Thank you for the insight.
ReplyDeleteCrystallynn
Hi!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience. I was fascinated by your research of Japan's practices. I cannot imagine being in bed 21 days after giving birth! And only in one of my births was the father not allowed, but it was considered an emergency Cesarean birth. My other Cesarean births included other family members. Thanks again f or your research.