My Birthing Experience (as told to me by Mom)

• My parents had gone to Lamaze classes and read books in preparation for my arrival.
• My mom describes it as a normal pregnancy, no complications, but rapid weight gain, as she found out at 2 months.
• Sonogram showed I was a boy.
• Her contractions began, water never broke, Dad rushed her to the hospital
• Doc broke her water with what she describedas "a crochet hook looking thing", and contractions came faster and harder, she was breathing like she remembered from Lamaze class
• No epidural, episiotomy, 4 hours of labor
• Big push, I crowned, Dad turned away when he saw head full of hair and went to a ssist my mother with breathing
• Mom says "It felt like I was ripping in half."
• I came out eyes wide open and sucking my fist- and a girl. 7lbs 8oz.
• The nurses took me to do testing and Dad followed because he thought they were taking me away (Mom forgot to tell him about the testing and the toe-pricking which resulted in him getting mad at the nurses for hurting me when I screamed out in tears)
• Mom breastfed me with no problem, said "I was greedy" and I ate every two hours
• The hospital served a "Mother- Father" celebatory dinner for new parents
• Mom stayed in hospital with me for three days

I chose this example because I wanted to interview my mom and it was fun to hear her relive it and tell me in her own words. Since 1983, hospital policies have changed tremendously and having babies seems more like a factory process, in-out-ship home. My mom, having had three children, said that each time was a different experience in the hospitals becasue of changing rules.  Not having had any children of my own, I feel that the birthing experience, whether positive or negative, could have a on effect on the baby coming into the world. I was born with no complications into a loving and peaceful environment with parents who welcomed me and nurses who took care of me. This may not be the case for others. I believe culture (belief systems, family values, etc) has an effect on development no matter where you are from. Take a look at the possible birthing experience of a Cambodian baby...

Cambodian Birthing Experience (based on cultural practices)

• No hospital (too expensive and wrong social status)
• Traditional Birthing Attendants (midwives) assist the mother in the home becausetheir service is cheap and they are locally available.
• Baby is born and given to someone else to breast feed and care for it for the first full month while the mother undergoes the postpartum traditional practice of healing called Sor Sai Karchey
• Cambodians hold the belief that a woman's body is cold after giving birth so she undergoes a heating process to heat up the body and prevent further cooling or deterioration.
•  For one month after birth the mother will lie on a bamboo bed with a constant fire underneath, no bathing during this time.
• This process known as "roasting" is believed to prevent illness.
• The mother is told to sit on a heated rock every morning for three weeks after giving birth to prevent the uterus from coming out. it is also common to place a heated rock on the abdomen to make the uterus shrink and prevent sagging of the abdomen later.
• Steaming is also recommended for removing impurities in the mothers body. (like sitting in a sauna)
• the mother is to eat only spicy foods.

This is very different from my birthing experience. A lot of cultural beliefs are included in the birth of this Cambodian baby, which are said to help the mother heal after giving birth. Midwives are the main source for delivering babies in the home. In the U.S. we can choose to have a midwife help deliver in our homes, in the hospital, or in a birthing center. The differences are vast but the one similarity I feel is that no matter how different the practices, cultures, traditions, are- each feels they are doing what is best for the mother and child based on years and years of practice.