Childbirth in your life and around the world
My first personal birthing experience was in Israel. I was a young woman (24), mentally and physically ready for the biggest exciting moments of my life. My husband and I took a birth class that lasted two months. we learned about birth, different breathing techniques in order to ease the pain, and watched a video about the stages of labor. In addition, we had visited the labor and maternity ward and learned about breastfeeding and how to take care of a baby in terms of feeding, bathing and dressing up. We were encouraged to have a natural birth with no drugs that may affect the baby.
When I was 38.5 weeks pregnant I started having contractions and went to a public hospital in my neighborhood, the same hospital that we visited during the birth class. I was excited and eager to finally get to meet my daughter and to have the natural birth that I was practicing in theory for the past months. My labor proceeded fairly quickly and I was in much pain. ignoring my original plan, I asked for medication to relieve my pain. Since I was already at an advanced stage of labor, I wasn’t allowed to take anything, and needless to say, that this experience was very different from the one I anticipated. Fortunately, the whole process took 3.5 hours, and when I held my daughter in my hands for the first time, I forgot all about the pain and felt overjoyed.
At the maternity ward, I was placed in a room with 4 more mothers with only a curtain separating us from each other. visitors came and went and we didn’t have much time to rest and really bond with our babies. The nurses would check us between shifts, focusing mainly on our physical health and not on our feelings. The following day an expert on breastfeeding came to visit us. there was only one expert supporting many new mothers and we didn’t have a real chance to get the support we needed.
Ten years later, my third and youngest son was born in California, by then I was a mother of 2 children ages 10, 4 and I knew that this labor will be pain-free and that I am going to ask for an epidural. My birth took place in a beautiful hospital where a large room was assigned to my husband and for me. We had a nurse that spent the whole birthing process with us. After the epidural was admitted and I was ready to deliver my baby, my personal OBGYN was called to perform the labor. Although my son experienced momentary stress when the umbilical cord was caught around his neck, it took the doctor a slight second to cut the cord before my son’s first cry announced his grand entrance to the world. I was an active participant in this labor, there was relaxing music at the background, We were familiar with the medical team and it felt surreal. At the maternity ward, I was admitted to a beautiful private room. The nurses came to me every few moments to check my pain level and my mental state. The following day my children’s pediatrician came to the hospital to check on me and my new baby. In addition, I was told that a private meeting with a breastfeeding specialist is available upon request.
Same mother, two countries and completely different experiences. I believe that my maturity took a great role in my birthing labor in America. I was already an experienced mother who knew what to expect. Personally, having the epidural helped me to take an active role in my birthing experience. In addition, having my OBGYN at the delivery room with me provided me with much-needed support. I also feel that since in Israel I gave birth in a public hospital with many women admitted to the same room, added to the overwhelming feeling I experienced. In contrast, in California, I got a private birthing experience where the medical team was at my side the whole time and provided me the physical and mental support all mothers needs.
In conclusion, I believe that future parents need to prepare for labor. They should think about the right plan that will work for them in order to be an active participant. In addition, they should, learn about the stages of labor and visit the hospital prior to their birthing.
In a final note, I have to add that currently, in Israel there are more birthing options. for instance, a private delivery ward with an additional special daily accommodation, where mother and baby are supported by a medical team that is assigned to them only and provides support and guidance as needed.
When I was 38.5 weeks pregnant I started having contractions and went to a public hospital in my neighborhood, the same hospital that we visited during the birth class. I was excited and eager to finally get to meet my daughter and to have the natural birth that I was practicing in theory for the past months. My labor proceeded fairly quickly and I was in much pain. ignoring my original plan, I asked for medication to relieve my pain. Since I was already at an advanced stage of labor, I wasn’t allowed to take anything, and needless to say, that this experience was very different from the one I anticipated. Fortunately, the whole process took 3.5 hours, and when I held my daughter in my hands for the first time, I forgot all about the pain and felt overjoyed.
At the maternity ward, I was placed in a room with 4 more mothers with only a curtain separating us from each other. visitors came and went and we didn’t have much time to rest and really bond with our babies. The nurses would check us between shifts, focusing mainly on our physical health and not on our feelings. The following day an expert on breastfeeding came to visit us. there was only one expert supporting many new mothers and we didn’t have a real chance to get the support we needed.
Ten years later, my third and youngest son was born in California, by then I was a mother of 2 children ages 10, 4 and I knew that this labor will be pain-free and that I am going to ask for an epidural. My birth took place in a beautiful hospital where a large room was assigned to my husband and for me. We had a nurse that spent the whole birthing process with us. After the epidural was admitted and I was ready to deliver my baby, my personal OBGYN was called to perform the labor. Although my son experienced momentary stress when the umbilical cord was caught around his neck, it took the doctor a slight second to cut the cord before my son’s first cry announced his grand entrance to the world. I was an active participant in this labor, there was relaxing music at the background, We were familiar with the medical team and it felt surreal. At the maternity ward, I was admitted to a beautiful private room. The nurses came to me every few moments to check my pain level and my mental state. The following day my children’s pediatrician came to the hospital to check on me and my new baby. In addition, I was told that a private meeting with a breastfeeding specialist is available upon request.
Same mother, two countries and completely different experiences. I believe that my maturity took a great role in my birthing labor in America. I was already an experienced mother who knew what to expect. Personally, having the epidural helped me to take an active role in my birthing experience. In addition, having my OBGYN at the delivery room with me provided me with much-needed support. I also feel that since in Israel I gave birth in a public hospital with many women admitted to the same room, added to the overwhelming feeling I experienced. In contrast, in California, I got a private birthing experience where the medical team was at my side the whole time and provided me the physical and mental support all mothers needs.
In conclusion, I believe that future parents need to prepare for labor. They should think about the right plan that will work for them in order to be an active participant. In addition, they should, learn about the stages of labor and visit the hospital prior to their birthing.
In a final note, I have to add that currently, in Israel there are more birthing options. for instance, a private delivery ward with an additional special daily accommodation, where mother and baby are supported by a medical team that is assigned to them only and provides support and guidance as needed.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI found your child birth story very interesting and informative. I am impressed that you and your husband took the birth classes for 2 months, and that you have learned to maintain safety and comfort during labor. I guess that these classes must be very helpful for all the young parents. This will help in building their confidence. I wish and hope that these birth classes are conducted all over the world.
Thanks for sharing the information!
Tasneem