I personally do not have a child birth story of my own to share seeing that I cannot remember my own birth and that my children are adopted, so I have chosen to write about the birth of my nephew, Jackson. Jackson was my second nephew to be born; the difference with him and my first nephew, Joey, was that my sister had gotten pregnant after I had a tubal that ruptured. My entire family was petrified that my sister would have to endure the same pain and heartache that I had, but my sister was more afraid than we were. My sister had good medical benefits so she was able to deliver the happy little guy in a safe hospital of her choice. Shortly after he was born, the nurses came in and said that they had to take him back and my sister knew that something was not right. After doing all that she could to ensure that she had a healthy baby, she was told that her child may have cerebral palsy. Many tears were shed, only to find out in the end that he is only a carrier of the gene.
I wrote about this birth because it is one where the odds seemed to be stacked against Jackson and he has overcome all of the obstacles that the doctors said that he may face. Jackson is now a happy, healthy little two year old who is so intelligent! I believe that the nurturing environment that he is growing up in has allowed him to learn far more than any of the doctors thought possible. He has reached all of the developmental milestones for a two year old.
I chose to compare the birth of a child in the U.S. with the birth of a child in Nigeria. In Nigeria, the women are often uneducated about the risks that come with having no doctor care in the first trimester. About 40% of women receive post natal care two days after the baby is born, while many never do. Also, women in Nigeria view a c-section as a failure to themselves and the child so it is avoided even if the mother goes to a hospital to deliver the child. The placenta is buried after child birth as part of a ritual to provide health to the infant. The country has a very high infant mortality rate due to the lack of care given to the pregnant women and to the newborn infant.
My research into childbirth in Nigeria has shown me that education is the key. If the parents of the children in Nigeria were to be educated, they would be able to better provide the services that the child needs. Many places in this world still have birthing traditions and beliefs that are against Western medicine. Babies born in the U.S. are afforded more opportunities on average than those born elsewhere.
I am so glad that you have the spirit of love that you can give to those that weren't directly born from you. The story of your sister and the women from nigeria was touching because no woman that wants to give birth should have to be afraid. I really wish that there was more that we could do for Africa and those women.
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled to hear that Jackson is doing well! However, the plight of the women in Nigeria saddens me. It is a personal dream that all women receive adequate health care.
ReplyDeleteJamie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching story about your family. Similar to you, I did not have a birthing experience to write about. I have never given birth nor do I remember my own birth. I chose to write about my friend’s birth experience. Learning about the giving birth in Nigeria is very interesting. I learned a lot from your post. I can’t believe that if a woman gives a c-section they are considered to be a failure. I can’t imagine living in a place where that is a part of their culture. Thanks for the valuable information!