I have had the opportunity to be part of two births, other than my own. The first was a child that could not wait to travel to the hospital so he was born at home while I took care of his older sibling and dad and the paramedics assisted mom. The other occurred in a hospital, though without the use of drugs. When I think about each of them, I remember the various emotions I felt, from fear to joy and everything in between!
As I took care of the sibling in the first experience, I had to remain calm for him, yet support dad until the paramedics arrived. I remember him asking me to go get a shoelace and thinking "What for????". I learned later that it would have been used to tie off the umbilical cord. As a 23 year old, I was learning more than I really wanted to about the miracle of life.
In the hospital with my close friends that had invited me to be part of the birth of their second child, I was again reminded of all the emotions that go along with such an event. I met them at the hospital at 11:30 in the morning and Lucas was born at about 3:00. It was a long 3 hours for me, but even longer for her as she progressed so quickly, regretted not getting the drugs, and managed to have this beautiful baby boy regardless. At one point, I was encouraging her through a contraction and the phrase I had used again and again was "You've got this." She turned to me and said "I DO NOT HAVE THIS!" It was time for me to either find a new phrase or just be quiet and hold her hand. We joke about it to this day.
Compared with a "home birth" in Ghana as described our text from this week, it seems that, because the process is more widely practiced, it is a calm and quiet time for both mother and newborn child. "The baby did not cry, not because there was any problem, but because it was a gentle birth" (Berger, 2009). In my experience, the mom I observed was a calm as she could be, but because it was progressing unexpectedly fast, there was panic and tension. Notably, the child has developed typically and has no lasting effects of the birth, except an incredible story to tell.
I think you did very well as a coach. what an awesome expeiernce. I’v only been present for one birth other then my own. But I would love to experience it again. Having never experience natural child I’m not sure how the women of Ghana are able to be quiet. But I can see how the culture might think it would be a more peace full experience for the baby. Maybe the yelling and talking scares our babies therefore they cry. I was always meant to belive that I wanted to hear my babies crying right after birth. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou have been blessed to have the opportunity to experience 2 births. From my own experiences having some supportive with you makes the experience better. I was blessed to have supportive people with me at each, even if I didn't express while it was happening.
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing experience to be part of a birthing event of those you love. I relate with the emotions you expressed, especially feeling lost for words to comfort the mother in labor. Thanks for sharing about your experiences!
ReplyDeleteIn terms of giving birth in the U.S., many people assume giving birth in the hospital is the only way, and many associate it with a stressful and painful experience away from home. I enjoyed reading in Berger's book too about the peaceful birth in Ghana where the mother and midwife were present. It was interesting too to read that the mother gave birth in a sitting / squatting position in her own home.
Those were awesome experiences that you were able to be a part of. I am curious is those experiences impacted your thoughts on having children in a hospital or at home?
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