I have a daughter who is 8 yrs old and I am currently 4 months pregnant. My birthing experience with my daughter was a very short, but painful one. I was induced at midnight on a Wednesday morning. I was told that I would not have my daughter until around Wednesday evening. Well the contractions began to stress Myah's heart and after getting an epidural and doing bed exercises at 7 am I had my daughter through an emergency C-section. I didnt get a chance to live out that whole birthing experience, being dilated for 10 centimeters, yelling at my husband, or any of those crazy things you hear women do when they are in labor. I hope to have a better story with my second birth! I chose to talk about my birthing experience because it is so near and dear to me. I love my daughter and to know that in such a short time that her life was at risk made me fall in love with her even more! My thoughts on child birth and the impact on child development is I think there are some parents that need a license to parent before they gave birth. I feel your environment, your outlook on life and how you choose to raise your child plays a really huge part in how well your child will be in life and in with other children as well.
I read about women who give birth in South Africa. Birth among the Bantu people was traditionally attended by an older woman such as a grandmother or a traditional birth attendant. After a birth, the mother is secluded in her hut with the baby until she stops bleeding and burial of the placenta and cord has great importance. When the cord falls off, it is understood that the newborn now not only belongs to the mother, but to the whole community. Traditionally an animal is slaughtered as a sacrifice and the skin of the animal is given to the new infant as a protective clothing or sleeping mat. The burial spot of the placenta seals the attachment of a person to their ancestral land and it is a place to which many will return as adults. This burial place of the placenta is a place to connect with their ancestors in times of trouble, to dream and eventually to die.
Thanks for sharing your birthing story with us. My younger daughter is also 8. It is amazing how fast they grow. When I think back I can remember all the details of her birth, because it is something so profound. It is interesting how in South Africa and Rural Russia elders or birthing attendants help in the process, it makes sense as I am sure they have vast knowledge to share.
ReplyDeleteAlissa
I'm sorry your first birthing experience didn't go as planned, but you are blessed with a second opportunity in about 4-5months! Congratulations! I loved your comment "I think there are some parents that need a license to parent before they gave birth". This is SO true in not only our society, but the world. What a difference that would make in child development.
ReplyDeleteI like that in South Africa, it is understood that the newborn now not only belongs to the mother, but to the whole community. I feel it does in fact take a "tribe" to raise a child.
Thanks for your post. :)
Thank you for sharing your story and congratulations on your upcoming new arrival. Like you, I had a scary time with my second child. I was induced because my blood pressure was too high and my daughter began to suffer stress during my labor. I was able to deliver her without a C-section but she was born with her cord wrapped around her neck. Luckily, she turned out to be fine but it was a scary few minutes!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that the umbilical cord has significance in so many cultures. I read about the Aboriginal culture of Australia. In this culture, the cord remains attached to the baby until if falls off on its own. It is then presented to the father who makes it into a necklace! Can you imagine men in our culture doing that!!
I am glad that despite the stress, your daughter is doing well. Congratulations on your little one on the way; I wish you the best of luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, many parents learned (or didn't learn) their parenting skills from their caregivers. I think it speaks to the need for access to parenting services.
In reading your research on the birth experience among Bantu women and Terri's on Aboriginal Australia, I wonder if there is a belief that the umbilical cord represents life. It provides nourishment to the fetus and connects the mother and baby. I just find that interesting and wonder on the meaning behind it.
Thank you for sharing with all of us.
I have three adult children with the youngest being 26 years old and I remember each birth as if it was yesterday.After the initial pain of it all once you take the first look ,what you go through seems worth it!Congrats on your pregnancy!
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