The Childbirthing Experience

   Since I have not had the privilege to experience childbirth personally and none of my close friends or relatives have either, I decided to write about my own; which I had to refer to my mom. My mom recalled all the details saying that she "just wanted to get me out!" She explained that she went into labor and her water broke during the middle of the night and they headed to the hospital. She was actually a few weeks early into her labor considering they were expecting me on around the 17th and I was born on the 6th! She said that she was in labor for about 12 hours and finally the doctor decided to give my mother a c-section because I had become distressed and she was not dilated enough. She said that 12 hours of labor and a c-section later I was finally born. During the c-section my dad was the only one allowed in the room. I weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. She has not had anymore children (I am an only child) so she has not experienced child birth other than having me.
   While reading through our textbook I have discovered the difference in childbirth in the U.S. and other countries. One aspect that was interesting to me was home births. In the Netherlands 30 percent of births are done in the home. For home births midwives re used and they are paid for by the government. The only time that a hospital is used is if there are complications with the mother or newborn. An ambulance or flying stork is used to send the mother to the hospital. Dutch researchers find that home births are actually better for the mothers and they pose no harm to the infants (Berger, 2012). I find this interesting since it is really rare for a mother in the United States to have a home birth. It is almost unheard of. Midwives are rarely used as well and I found it interesting that they are used as a government service to expecting mothers.
   I think that child birth plays a huge part of child development because so many factors can happen that effects a child's growth and development. A child being premature, distressed during birth, the mother using drugs, or any other complications can effect the child's growth and development in the future.

References

Berger, K.S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.