Childbirth In Your Life and Arounf the World

I am fortunate enough to have two little boys in my life.  The pregnancies and birth experiences were very different from each other. 

My first pregnancy was relatively smooth.  From the moment I found out that I was pregnant I started to take better care of myself by taking prenatal vitamins, having regular checkups, and eating healthier.  I wanted to do all I could do to give my child a healthy start at life.  It was such an exciting experience too, from the first movement, getting everything baby would need, to his birthday.  After waiting 9 months the day finally arrived.  Our families patiently waited at the hospital for the moment to meet Tyler.  I remember being so scared and so happy at the same time.  Everything was fine and our bouncing baby boy was as healthy as can be.  He is now 5 years old.

My second pregnancy wasn’t so smooth.  Again, I did everything I could to give this new baby a healthy start with vitamins, checkups, and being healthier.  Everything seemed ok until one day at work I began bleeding.  I rushed to the doctor and after several months and bloody episodes we discovered I had placenta previa.  My placenta was covering my cervix and each time it would try and fix itself by moving it was like pulling a scab.  I was eventually bedridden and hospitalized still having episodes.  To make a long story short after all the tests and all the specialists we finally had to make the decision to have an early birth through C-section.  Kyle was born 5 ½ weeks early at a staggering 7 pounds but had to be in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.  He had several problems which included breathing and feeding.  After a little over a week we were finally able to bring him home.  He is now 3 years old.

This week’s readings about pregnancies and births made me think of what may have happened if the tables were turned.  What if I gave birth at home and not in a hospital? Would I still be here today? Would my child be alive? We both needed medical attention from birth complications.  Thinking of this and all the other complications others have during pregnancy saddens me.  Many children have been lost due to poor health care on the mother’s part, financial burdens, and even outside factors: teratogens.  What if I gave birth in one of the least developed nations?  Reading about the woman in Ghana giving birth in a dark, hot, hut curled in a corner with no sound amazes me.  It seems so peaceful yet not all are so.  She was fortunate not to have any birthing complications but what if she did.  I am very thankful to have given birth in the United States!