Childbirth––In My Life and Around the World

Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to witness the birth of my godson/cousin. I remember packing up to leave work on a Friday afternoon and I got a call from my cousin stating she was in labor and needed me to escort her to the hospital. I immediately went to her rescue and still had no idea I was getting ready to witness one of the most amazing things of my life. At the hospital, I stayed with her in the room, coaching her through contractions and trying to keep her as comfortable as possible, at the same time, I’m wondering when they were going to ask me to leave the room. When the doctor entered the room, he stated she was ready and the delivery process started quickly. I watched in amazement my cousin give birth to her son. Some many thoughts were running through my head, I remember thinking wow women are amazing, the human body is amazing, and this is awesome! I was in shock that I was actually witnessing a birth even after the baby was out I was still staring at the miracle that was unfolding before my eyes. I chose this example because I was at the doctor’s appointment when my cousin found out she was having a boy, I saw the growth of her belly through the nine months of pregnancy and I saw the miracle of his birth. I was overwhelmed with emotions it was an event that I will remember for the rest of my life!

My thoughts on birth and its impact on child development, is every child goes through the process of development. It involves the process of learning to walk, talk and mastering many other skills they will use for a life time. In understanding child development it is essential to learn about the different stages of birth and how it effects development. I also think it is important to learn about child birth around the globe because as professional we encounter children and families from diverse cultures.

In West Africa childbirth is interconnected with religious and medical practices. It is traditional for woman to give birth in a home setting squatting low to the ground surrounded by female relatives, some serving as midwives. The squatting position signifies the mother’s connection with the earth. The similarity with my childbirth example is my cousin was supported by a relative during labor and delivery. The differences are she gave birth in a hospital lying on a hospital bed and a doctor was present. Oppose to at home squatting on a stool, with midwives. Other insights I gained about birthing experiences in Africa are the fact that Africa has the highest mortality rate of mother and child due to the lack of training of medical staff and inaccessibility to medical clinics.

Resources                             

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6558064