Birthing Experienes at Home and Around the World

My personal birthing experience...............


 I have given birth to six children of my own (4-boys 27, 25, 22, 6 and 2-girls 9, 6). My last birthing experience was twins; which was a wonderful experience. 

However, I have chosen to write about the birth of my first grandchild, Kaydenz. I am very close to my daughter-in-law (Melissa) and she allowed me in the birthing room along with her mother and my son.

My granddaughter is only 9-months younger than my twins....

The perspective of the birth was very different than it had been for any of my own children. Melissa's labor had been induced, we had spent several hours just waiting, with several visitors coming and going. The nurses were in and out of the room every few minutes checking vitals etc., when it was finally time. The nurses busied themselves getting the room set up, contacted the Doctor, and dismissed all visitors with the exception of my son, her mother and myself. The doctor walked in and within a matter of two minutes (literally), I saw the head crown and then the shoulders emerge.  It brought tears to my eyes to see that miracle unfold. I had never seen child birth from that perspective before, and it was a truly amazing experience for me. Kaydenz was quickly taken by the nurses to have her vitals checked, weight and length measured, Apgar conducted etc. within moments we were oohing over her. I remember hugging my son very tightly and telling him how proud I was of him, and he had an amazingly beautiful daughter. 
 


When I had my first set of children in the 80s doctors did not induce labor just because mom was ready. My water broke, I went into labor, rushed to the hospital and waited, and waited, and waited for 17 and a half hours for my son to come along. My second birth was about the same, with the exception of the baby being in fetal distress, at which point the doctors induced...and within a short time conducted a c-section in order to save the baby. It is my opinion that doctors are too quick to induce and deliver babies before they are finished incubating. 

In The United States some families pitch and and help out when a new member arrives, however, in many families (mine included) there isn't a lot of help with a new baby. Mom and dad are on their own to juggle their households, jobs and other children (if there are any).  

Most couples begin choosing baby names as soon as they find out they are pregnant and baby showers are extremely popular and expected in the U.S.

And Experiences From Abroad.......................................

I looked up the birthing rituals of the Chinese because my husband spends a lot of time in China. I figured it would make a good country to research.......

Pregnant Chinese women are encouraged to rest, avoid heavy work, and eat well to stay healthy and have a healthy baby. Having a son is traditionally more valued than a daughter.
During pregnancy and the postpartum period, a Chinese woman may be perceived as needing extra attention in terms of food and rituals. Women are advised not to eat "cold foods" such as mung beans, bean sprouts, or bananas during the first trimester to reduce a risk of miscarriage. Women do not discuss abortion openly but will seek it when needed. Birth control is practiced, according to religion.

Traditionally, men do not play a major role during deliveries; female family members provide support.Since the ancient Chinese view childbearing as an age-old women’s vocation, custom dictates that fear and apprehension be abolished from the process. To help with this, women often drink a strong herbal potion to ease the pains of labor.

  After giving birth, care is provided by an elder female relative.Resting for approximately one month after delivery is not unusual. The period of care right after the delivery is known as the "sitting month." Depending on regional differences, women may not leave their homes, take a bath, wash their hair, expose themselves to cold water, cold temperatures and wind, or ingest ice water or "cold" food (raw vegetables, salads or fruits). It is believed that women are undergoing a cold stage right after delivery due to loss of blood.

 Naming a baby isn’t always about thumbing through a book and picking the most pleasant-sounding moniker. For some, the process is highly complex and filled with social and religious rules and taboos.Chinese babies receive their official names after birth,and many times, they’ll be given up to four more throughout their lives: one for childhood, one for school, one for adulthood and another upon death.

The personality and disposition of an unborn child is thought to be strongly influenced by the state of his mother’s mind and body while expecting. For this reason, Chinese women are strongly urged to control their thoughts and actions (meaning no gossiping, no temper tantrums and no hard physical labor while baby is incubating).

Gift-giving before birth is considered very unlucky in Chinese culture, not to mention you could be stepping on grandma’s toes! The mother-to-be’s own mother is typically responsible for the new baby’s entire layette. A month before birth, the maternal grandmother sends a gift of clothing for the newborn to hasten delivery, then three days after the baby arrives, she visits with the remainder of her grandchild’s wardrobe and gear.