I have birthed 2 children, but the one that I will discuss is the birth of my son. While I was working as an infant teacher at a daycare, I found out that I was pregnant! My husband and I were so excited. I planned on staying at work until he was born and then go on maternity leave. Well because of the strenuous nature of carrying heavy infants (18mo+) I started dialating very early(well this is why we think ), around 30 weeks. The doctors were very concerned. When they checked me, I was about 1cm. So they wanted to keep a close eye on me. I had a dr apt every week and I was still dialating. So, they opted to give me a shot of steroids that would help develop my sons lungs in case he were to come early. I had a few overnight stays in the hospital and was told to take it easy at home. So one night, around 33 weeks gestation, I woke up to a lot of blood and cramping. I called the dr and they told me to come in right away. Needless to say, my son was born that night. After 14 hours of labor and 6 weeks early we welcomed a new baby into the world.
He was immediately rushed to the NICU, I only got to see his face when the doctor carried him to me and then he was taken away. He had to stay in the NICU for 2 weeks and he was able to come home. After visits with the dr went ok but they always seemed to mention that since he was a preemie, he wasnt really at full gestation. I was a little confused about that, he was born but they counted as if he was not really at term until his due date.
I chose this story because premature labor happens frequently and there is some concern about development and premature babies.
Birthing in India:
I found an organization called Birth India that strives to help women in India to have natural childbirths. The website stated that about 50% of women are being led into C-Sections and in some private hospitals, it is as much as 80% of women! They state that many women in India are given C-sections and other un-needed medical interventions that are harmful to the women and babies.
The world Health organization states that the C-section rate should be between 5-15%
This is very disconcerting to me. I know that in the US, C-sections are a routine surgery but many women are not coerced into having one. I find this interesting and I hope to learn more about it.
http://birthindia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=6&Itemid=27
Christina,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that everything turned out okay for you and your son. It must have been a scary and stressful experience for you and your husband. Did you have to wait until he was out of the NICU to hold him? I often hear people automatically associate a child who is premature as being developmentally delayed although I myself have worked with children who have proved this wrong. Do you feel like your son's birth process and being premature has had any effect on his overall development?
Hi,
DeleteIt was a scary and very stressful experience. I was able to hold him the nexy day. Believe it or not, he was 5lbs 4oz! He was having trouble eating but he progressed very quickly. I am thankful that the Drs gave me the steriod shots to develop his lungs.
I was worried about his development. He was not very verbal until almost 3 years of age and that was a little hard to understand him, but everyone reassures me that boys can develop like that and its normal. So that was nice to hear and as far as I can see, his being premature has not had any long term effects. (I hope it stays that way!)
He is almost 4 and is speaking very well.
Hi Christina, I am going to try this again. I posted one comment and it did not take so if it shows up later, I apologize in advance if I repeat myself. I also am happy that things turned out well for you and your son. I agree it is a little disturbing that so many caesarian sections are performed as a convenience. It seems to have become an accepted norm if so many are not required and it takes little or no convincing to have women agree to them at such a high number. All three of my sons were born natural and no medications. That was many years ago, they are 21, 25, and 27. I look forward to reading more of your experiences and sharing ideas throughout this class. Cindy Ferguson
ReplyDeleteChristina, what an interesting story with your son. Scary but absolutely wonderful. I have friends who have had to stay 2 months in a hospital until ready to give birth. They have both been teachers as well. I think that the whole walking around and sometimes having to carry kids around can be a little tough during the last months of pregnancy. Thanks for the link, I would have never thought that in India C-sections would be an option.
ReplyDeleteHi Christina, to me you are a good mother and you have shown that prenatal care is important to expected mothers.
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