Childbirth In Your Life & Around the World

I don’t recall the age I was when I learned about my birth and what it was like for my mother.  However, I do remember all four of my mother’s birthing experiences led to cesarean section deliveries.  Even today, I feel a sense of sadness for my mom, knowing she never experienced a natural childbirth.  My own birth is particularly important to me because for many years, up until my own birthing experience, I believed her fate would somehow transfer and project in my life.  Fortunately, my personal birthing experience was successfully natural. 

More than one-third of U.S. births occur via cesarean section (c-section, or simply section), whereby the fetus is removed through incisions in the mother’s abdomen.  (Berger, 2012, p. 101).

The entire birthing experience, from how and where to deliver your baby, to decisions about breastfeeding, are all very personal and intimate decisions for any mother.  Certainly, there is variation dependent upon the cultural norms, access to resources and religious beliefs.  Nonetheless, the impact birth has on child development is significant, as information gathered can be utilized to further research and possibly influence future outcomes for newborns.

According to course text, The developing person through childhood, “In the poorest of nations, almost all babies are born at home:  Doctors are called only for emergencies, often arriving too late.” (Berger, 2012).  In contrast to the births in my family, the text goes on to describe “gentle births”, in a country like Ghana, where the infant mortality rate is, “10 times higher than in North America.”  (Berger, 2012).  While mothers, such as myself, prepare for tours of their local hospitals to ensure labor and delivery is optimal, in other parts of the world mothers simply await their new arrival within the confines of their own homes.  Each option presents its benefits, and challenges; however, it is important for any expectant mother to know what options are available to her in order to make an informed decision for her family. n♥

Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6^th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.