Birthing: A wonderful experience
When I got married, I could not wait to get pregnant... Just after a month, my husband and I were so happy to find out that we indeed were pregnant. For the next 3 months I had my prenatal check ups, got a couple of ultrasounds, drank my OB vitamins and started reading on the joys of pregnancy. On my last OB visit during the 2nd month we got to see our baby, with buds of arms and legs already and a good heartbeat through ultrasound. Three weeks later, I started spotting. We had to go to the hospital and it was there that we were told that our baby was gone; has been dead for about 3 weeks already for no apparent reason. We were heartbroken but God is good and he quickly reminded us that things happen for a reason and that He has better plans for me. The "birthing" of my dead baby was no easy feat. We had to wait for my cervix to dilate before the doctor did the D&C. I was in great pain. I remember being alone in the labor room with pregnant mothers around me labouring for their babies, while I laboured for a dead one. The cramping of my stomach and back was so painful that tears silently flowed down my cheeks. I was given medication to help me sleep through the pain but the medication (though given 3 times) did not work. In agony, I clung to the metal bars of my bed and waited it out for a couple more hours. I never new pain like it.But God is faithful. Just after two short months, we again got pregnant. I would then like to share on my experience while giving birth to my son as it was quite an experience... It all started on April 16 (Wed) at 6:30 pm, contractions started to come every 10 minutes so I continued with my activities normally... by 10 pm they came in 5-6 minute- intervals. I knew I had to go to the hospital soon. So I took a bath and made last minute preparations then started to record the intervals.
Midnight came and gone.. It was already April 18 (Friday) and still I was 4 cm. By 6 pm of the same day I was only at 6 cm dilation, but the contractions were already overlapping and very much painful... I was still trying to walk around and exercise to help with the dilation but was starting to really get very very tired... more than a day with no food and water with pain can really drain a person... I was starting to really feel weak... could not even do the breathing exercise properly anymore because of fatigue and HUNGER!!!! Good thing God gave me a very supportive husband and family who came to watch me during labor... yes, my mom, my sister and a brother were there as well...
When 9 pm came and the doctor saw that I was still at 6 cm and was growing tired, she broke my water bag... Right after which, I transitioned from 6 cm to 10 in just a few minutes. Friday night, April 18, after 2 days of drug-free labor (I gave birth completely natural), my son finally came into this world. All the pain, the wait and hunger were all worth it.
I chose this example because I felt like I could share it more accurately since I went through it myself. I gave birth in a hospital because I know that giving birth is a very risky event. I wanted to make sure that my son was safe. I wanted to do Lamaze because I wanted to be able to remember everything clearly and be my complete self when I first interacted with my son. Nonetheless, we made sure that he was not in distress during the long labor by frequently checking his heart rate for if he was I was willing to completely deviate from the birthing plan we have prepared.
I believe that the quality of prenatal care and birthing impact the holistic development of the child. A mother, after receiving good quality prenatal care and gives birth in a safe and controlled environment may lessen the chances of complications that may lead to delays in future development, disorders or worse, death.
I was surprised and awed to have found out that in the US almost everyone gives birth in a controlled environment. Here in our country, that is not the case. Most here still give birth in their own houses or very small clinics or paanakans as we call them, especially those in the rural areas. Most still do not receive proper prenatal care and majority do not even know what a birth plan else, much less have one. Our country is also composed of diverse ethnic groups and each ethnic group has their own birthing and pregnancy rituals and traditions. For more information you may visit http://www.librarylink.org.ph/featarticle.asp?articleid=104 which just showcase a few.
Though I am Filipino, I gave birth very differently from majority of Filipino women. Though they also do not use anaesthesia like me, I gave birth in a hospital, with monitors and doctors and nurses. I also had a birthing plan prepared and was able to get good prenatal care and was able to attend child birth classes. As I see it, mothers in our country need to be educated about proper prenatal care, pregnancy, and birthing to help them prepare for this experience and also to increase the mother-infant mortality rate.
As stated in Newborn Deaths in the Philippines Article during the 11th National Convention on Statistics (page 1) retrieved from www.nscb.gov.ph:
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year nearly 3.3 million
babies are stillborn, and over 4 million more die within 28 days of coming into the world.
Deaths of babies during this neonatal period are as numerous as those in the following 11
months or those among children aged 1–4 years. Skilled professional care during
pregnancy, at birth and during the postnatal period is as critical for the newborn baby as it is
for its mother. The challenge is to find a better way of establishing continuity between care
during pregnancy, at birth, and when the mother is at home with her baby. While the
weakest link in the care chain is skilled attendance at birth, care during the early weeks of
life is also problematic because professional and programmatic responsibilities are often not
clearly delineated
.
posted by Elizabeth King Santos @ 4:27 AM
9 Comments:
Elizabeth,
What a beautiful post! Reading it brought tears to my eyes. My heart began to break for you when I read about your first pregnancy, then it soared as you described your son's birth. Truly beautiful.
Blessings to you and your family,
Julia
Elizabeth: I loved reading your post. It was very informative about the joys and agonies of birthing a child, especially in a natural state. I also want to offer my condolences for losing your first child. You have an enduring spirit, and I hope that your family continues to experience great happiness and love.
Thanks Julia and Christina! You are both very sweet.
Blessings!
Your story was heartwarming. Although the beginning brought tears to my eyes you proved to be a very strong woman and that you should be proud of!! I could not imagine the pain you experienced but your strength was admirable. Your family is lucky to have such a strong woman in their lives. Thank you for your honestly and willingness to share.
Elizabeth, Your story was so touching and I am so glad you were blessed with your second child. He is so cute!
I was wondering if the women in your country don't go to hospitals because there aren't enough or is it cultural? Is it because they can't afford it or is health care universal? What is the reason? Thanks for your time!
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I can not imagine the pain you felt in the beginning but God blessed you with another chance at complete happiness and motherhood.
Wow, your story was very uplifting. Sorry to hear about your troubles, but excited to read about you birthing experience. I enjoy continuing reading about you.
That was a wonderful story. I am so happy that you were able to overcome your hardship and was able to move forward with a positive and loving attitude. You have such a wonderful spirit and I am sure that the people in your life know how lucky they are to be able to be around you. I am also very happy that you were blessed with a healthy son. He is a very lucky boy!
- Kameren
Thanks everyone! You are all so encouraging!
Debbie0129, actually i think it is a combination of different things:
- culturally, some still believe that it is better to give birth at home with midwives or "kamadronas" as we call them here
- economically, it is far cheaper to give birth at home and most filipinos are do not have medical coverage
- geographically, some areas of the philippines do not have hospitals or are too far to one or too difficult to travel to one.
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