My Birthing Story
I was 25 when I had my first daughter. I felt I was prepared. I was done with college; I had worked with children pretty much my entire life, and wanted to be a mother more than anything. As the day came closer I could not wait to meet my daughter. I only had two weeks until my due date when preeclampsia sent me in to see my doctor. I trusted his opinion and we had a wonderful working medical relationship. We decided to induce and get the process rolling since I was now at risk. I was in labor for 27 hours. I could not believe all women went through this. It made me think of women and mothering in a completely different light. I was in awe of the whole process and also in a bit of shock about natural childbirth and the pain which went along with it. I ended up having a healthy baby girl and did the whole process over to have my second child.
I chose this example because it was one of the biggest events in my life. It changed me and made me love something more than I could ever imagine. I also felt a sense of great accomplishment and understanding about being a mother and a kinship with other women who had already had a birthing story to tell.
I believe the setting of the birth, the demeanor of the mother, and the environment as a whole effects child development. All of these factors play into how the child will see their world. I was much more relaxed when having my second child and in turn she was a relaxed baby. She was very easy to breastfeed and sooth. Babies pick up on these feelings and the environment affects them.
Birth in Rural Russia
Midwives or village grandmothers used folk medicine to help the delivery of babies in rural Russia, and mothers returned to their work in the fields after delivery. Women had little chance for maternity leave. Fields had to be worked and animals tended to. Typically a woman returned to work three days after while an older sibling would care for the baby. Midwives used traditional methods to help the mother during delivery. Many women used non-traditional birthing methods. One was hanging from the rafters of a barn. Gravity would assist with the birthing. Mothers did not look toward traditional medicine for advice as they understood the Midwives and grandmothers knew more about the birthing process.
My birthing story is completely different than the women from rural Russia. I used modern medicine and had my child in the hospital. The Russian women had their children at home and sometimes in the field they were working. Even though the stories are completely different, this is a natural process women have always gone through and your body will guide you through the process.
Hello Alissa,
ReplyDeleteChildbirth is an experience within its ownself. You never know how much we as women go through until you give birth. Its like nothing else even matters, just as long as you and the baby are safe. It is very unreal how women from other countries give birth. I think you should read my story about women in South Africa as they have an unusual way of giving birth.
Alissa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story with us! I was 27 when I had my first child and I don't think I've ever wanted anything as much as I wanted that baby. Today, "that baby" is 17 years old and he'll be starting his senior year in the fall. When you hold them for the first time, it is an amazing and overwhelming feeling. It is unbelievable how fast that time goes!
So, far it is something that each post I have read includes a 'challenge' that mom and baby experienced. This shows us the miracle that life is.
ReplyDeleteI researched the birthing experience for most women in Sweden. They also rely on midwives for typical deliveries. However, I found the combination of this with the modern services has created a much more enlightened philosophy for them. They value the natural process while providing education and prenatal care for all women. In the U.S., we have seen from all of your stories, that is so wonderful we have the medical services we do. It is just interesting to see how this culture compares to ours.
Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Hi Alissa. I am so thankful for modern medicine and hospitals. In my birth story if I had lived in Russia both my son and myself would have died during the birthing process. I wonder what they do to help women who have preeclampsia there?
ReplyDeleteHi Alissa, Thank you for your story!! I've heard so many bad stories about childbirth but by reading your story, I felt like maybe someday I can do it!! I don't have any children but I made a promise to myself to wait until I find my mate/husband to have them. I have so much respect for you all who goes through childbirth. I will make sure I have my children in the United States so that I can have clinical assistance and family support. Russia? no way I can go there...lol
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day Alissa!!!
Hello Alissa, Wonderful story. I do not have any children myself, but I hvae senn many child births and this was amazing. I can't wait to have a child myself one day.
ReplyDelete