My first labor experience took place August 16th, 2011 at 1:00 am. I remember thinking I would have a natural birth, but that turned into the biggest joke of my entire pregnancy. The contractions were out of this world! My husband remained calm but I was in complete pain. I cried so much, I thought my eyes would bleed. After trying several breathing techniques, I screamed for medication to control the pain. I was given My request was answered and they offered the infamous epidural. The epidural was explained as a local anesthesia into my spine though a needle. I was ready for anything until I heard the anesthesiologist say they needed my consent and one of the outcomes could leave me PARALYZED or cause nerve damage. I was in fear at that moment....but decided to go ahead with the epidural anyway. My first baby girl was born on her due date 8/16/2011 weighing 6 pounds 14 oz.
My second labor experience was totally different. During a regular prenatal examination February 13, 2014, cervical insufficiency was discovered which
included being dilated 4 cm and my bag being close to exposure. I was
admitted to the hospital and diagnosed as a high risk pregnancy patient due to
high risk of miscarriage at 21 weeks and 3 days pregnant. I was informed of the
amniocentesis procedure and Cerclage surgery with epidural as options and placed on bed rest. After reviewing the options I decided to go ahead with the cerclage surgery to close up my cervix.
The surgery was successful and I was released February 18, 2014. Shortly after the surgery I received notice of termination from my job February 22, 2014 and went into labor February 23, 2014. The labor was stopped and through medication and I was admitted into the hospital for bed rest until the end of my pregnancy with my due date being June 23, 2014. Unfortunately with everything taking place I delivered prematurely February 26, 2014 to my second daughter weighing 1 pound 3 oz. During my second labor all I could think about was the survival of my child. My total outlook from my first birth to my second was completely different. The life of the NICU (NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit) is a new world filled with modern technology and equipment, doctors, nurses and premature babies. Today due to the grace of God my daughter is now 8 pounds 4 oz.
For this assignment I decided to share these two examples which highlight the fears of both birthing experiences: Epidurals, premature birth and preemie babies.
The Birthing Experience in Parts of Asia Compared to America:
According to an article titled The Best and Worst Places to Give Birth, these excerpts resonated with me.
"If Bangladeshi women give birth in a hospital, they're often berated by the staff and prevented from reciting religious verses that they traditionally use as a source of comfort and pain management.
Bangladesh are looked down upon for expressing the pain of childbirth, which usually happens at home. Korean women are discouraged from getting pain medication but often have episiotomies forced on them.
Almost all women in China, Japan and Korea now give birth in hospitals. In the more urban parts of China, C-sections are considered highly desirable, a sign of status and wealth; some hospitals have C-section rates as high as 90%."
Lastly, Over 60% of preterm births occur in Africa and South Asia according WHO World Health Organization. Afghanistan having the worst infant mortality rate in the world.
Based on this information I can only thank God that I live in America where religion is considered a right, pain is required to be managed in hospitals, and being mistreated can lead to a lawsuit and quality hospitals and modern technology are readily available.
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