I don't have a personal experience of birth, and I know few details of my own birth. So I am just going to relate to the pregnancy and birth of a close friend's daughter, though I was not there for the birth itself. When my friend first became pregnant I was in disbelief and happy at the same time, reason for my disbelief is because i didn't expect her and her husband to have a child just yet. It was wonderful to see the baby growing inside her, though I am not aware of all the events that took place during that period, I do know I was elated to feel the baby kick. The process of pregnancy is a sacrificial one, what a mother has to do just to be sure they have a healthy baby, such as taking iron tablets which me friend hated. On the 24th July 2007, the day my friend's baby was born, I was sure to there the evening just to see the baby and her, after their 24 hour labour process.
The country I've chosen is Haiti. Giving birth in Haiti can be an extra life or death situation more so than in other countries. The reason for this is because of the level of poverty that exists in the country, and because of the poverty very few can afford to receive the care needed during the pregnancy and thereby the care while in labour. This situation causes the women to have to give birth at home, with untrained midwives, and the use of home remedies, which aren't always bad, but without the necessary medical attention needed some of these mothers die after giving birth. Poverty and devastation has caused upon Haiti, yet they somehow still have great hope.
The main difference between the two is the medical care received or lack there of, the access of medical care is free in Barbados, while in Haiti they have to pay though they have nothing to pay with. Therefore that's the reason for the lack of medical attention given to most expecting mothers. Since in Haiti giving birth may lead to the death of the mothers, this will indeed affect the development in more ways than one. There will be no breast feeding, no natural mother to interact with while growing up which can have devastating effects as the child grows up.
Oh, I bet that was a wonderful experience for you, feeling the baby kicking!! I remember that wonderful feeling of that little life kicking inside me--one of the best feelings in the world! As you pointed out, being an expectant mother is a time of sacrifice, or at least it should be. Unfortunately, in the early childhood field we encounter children whose mothers struggled with varying aspects of that sacrifice, thus leaving their unborn children vulnerable to the teratogens they ingested during their pregnancy. Also, according to Berger (2012), there are also behavioral teratogens that cause no physical harm, but can affect the brain, causing hyperactivity, antisocial behavior, or learning disabilities. I believe there are enough unexpected and uncontrollable risks in pregnancy without making a conscientious decision to add to the risk of the developing fetus. Therefore, it is importance for early childhood professionals to understand prenatal development so that they can educate families they are working with and refer them to community resources to support an existing pregnancy or any future plans to become pregnant. In addition, I think understanding prenatal development will allow us to better understand the negative effects of both, intentional and unintentional teratogens.
ReplyDeleteI also wrote about the lack of medical equipment in other countries as oppose to the enormous amount of doctors that my sister had in the room with her when my niece was born. I really wish that all children could be born in a safe environment that allowed them the greatest chance for survival. Really enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKiendra,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information you provided on Haiti. I remember seeing the devastation after the hurricane a few years back. It was heartbreaking to see the condition and trying to imagine the health of moms and babies. Also it is great that you had a chance to relate to the birth experience of your friend. My husband and I tried for over 10 years to have our baby and it is so rewarding. The first kicks and movements are always exciting!
Hi Kiendra,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you when you said that childbirth is a huge sacrifice for mothers. Most mothers selflessly give up lots of things in order to have a healthy happy baby. It is unfortunate though to hear about those mothers who still smoke, drink and even do drugs while pregnant. It saddens my heart to know hear about a child that has problems after birth because his or her mom didn't take care of herself and her baby during pregnancy.
Hi Kiendra
ReplyDeleteLike you, I have not actually experienced child birth since I am not a mother. However, I have had some vicarious experience through the births of my nieces, grandnieces and grand nephews.
It was really distressing to read your reinforcement of the negative effects of poverty in Haiti on child bearing. it is said that these mothers have such little care during their pregnancy, and that the majority of them have home births without trained midwives. This does not only put the lives of these mothers at risk but also the lives of the baby. With so many mothers dying after child birth one can just imagine what would become of these children and this is again very heartbreaking.
It was enlightening to know that access to medical care in Barbados is free unlike St.Lucia, although they are both Caribbean islands. Medical care in St. Lucia is quite expensive, but unlike Haiti , low income or unemployed mothers have the option of going to the health centres in their villages for for prenatal and post natal clinic with the community nurses or health aides.
Hi Kiendra,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information on Haiti. It is always sad to think of the women in some countries who do not have access to medical care and information. That is good that you were able to feel your friend's baby kick. That is such an amazing feeling.