Childbirth Examples

Childbirth: Present Day and Yesteryear

The natural event of childbirth has taken place since the beginning of time and while it’s beauty has never faded the child birthing process has evolved and differed from generation to generation. The dawning of childbirth seems to be a very primitive, organic one but health of the mother and baby were more at risk. While today the child birthing process may not seem as organic and natural it is a safer, healthier beginning for the mother and baby. I have heard my paternal grandmother speak both fondly and horrifically about her 2 different child birthing experiences many times. Her two sons were born in the 1950’s and it was a very different time for women, marriage, and childbirth. She was 18 and

I was married and had my first child at the same hospital my brother and I were born at, Irving hospital. I was very scared and did not know what to expect. I was told when I started contracting to come to the hospital when they are 2-3 minutes apart. My labor pains started three am the morning of April 6, 2007. It was also Good Friday. I was having back labor pains that felt as though they would kill me with each blow of contraction. I was in labor with my first child for 16 hours. I was medicated with an epidural that numbed my body from the waist down. This was extremely pleasant as it took the pressure off my aching body. I could still feel the sensation to push and I was wide awake. My then husband was allowed to be in the delivery room. Being wide awake and able to push made the delivery process quicker and safer as opposed to being on ether, unable to push and requiring the use of forceps. It is also a safer route than c section. My first child was born happy and healthy but like my grandmother and unlike my own mother I was not able to produce an adequate milk supply for my baby. He was given Enfamil baby formula and a few months later the milk was thickened with cereal for added nutrition. My stay in the hospital was about 3 days and they kept my baby in the nursery unless we requested that he be brought to our room. My second pregnancy came to natural end at 13 weeks gestation. I do not know what caused the

Although my grandmother did have her first born delivered at home, this was not by choice and she reports that she was scared for the health of her and her baby and would not do it again. While we chose the safe, medical approach with anesthetics our babies were all born healthy. The hospital stay varies in days with mine and my mothers deliveries. She had her babies delivered via caesarean delivery so her healing process took more time. I believe the stay for c section deliveries is 1-2 days longer than a vaginal delivery. Also, with my first baby, my hospital stay was 3 days as opposed to only 2 days with my third child. Drug use and alcohol use was not an issue with my grandmother, mother or my own pregnancies. In fact, I limited my intake of caffeine, eliminating caffeinated coffee, diet coke and tea. I would encourage any women to go with the delivery process and pain relief of her choice. It is her body, it is her choice. Today, they have midwives that are able to be in the home with the mother during the delivery process and even have medical aid on site. I understand the notion to not have anesthetics during the delivery but there are safe solutions and with that I would encourage the mother to go either way she wanted because both routes are safe. I, personally, have suffered from post partum depression especially with my first baby and it is a shame that I didn’t have