BIRTHING EXPERIENCES

The birthing experiences I have are the ones of my own two children and one of a close friend.

I remember when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. It was an exciting and nervous time for me. I knew at a young age I wanted children so I was ecstatic to be pregnant. I loved every moment of being pregnant except for the morning sickness. The ultrasounds, doctors visits, hearing the heart beat and especially when I began to feel her move and kick. She kept me up at night sometimes but what a miracle and such an amazing feeling. My husband and I heard all the stories of labor and delivery pains but I wanted to be brave and wanted to feel and experience EVERYTHING so I chose to have a natural birth with no pain killers! Yikes. It wasn't very long into my labor that I was screaming for the epidural but by this time it was too late. I had to go on with no meds. Labor was 7 hours and about 45 min to push her out. It was  a painful experience but I wouldn't change it for the world. I learn my lesson and was no longer brave and curious with my second child. I made sure to ask over and over again for the epidural as soon as I could have it. 

Two very close friends of mine had children at a young age. One was 16 years old and the other was 20. Although I was not there for the birth I was there just a few days later. I was able to help them figure out diaper changes, feedings, helped comfort the baby and gave one of the babies her first bath because her mom was terrified she would drop her. That first bath was an experience I will always remember. The child I bathed is now in her twenties and just got married. I chose this experience to share because it was meaningful to me and I still share the story with my her, her mother and my kids.

The country I chose is Okinawa Japan. This country is rich in culture and they follow old customes. Women in Japan typically do not take any sort of pain killers during labor. Their belief is that labor and delivery is a time for mother and child to bond. They also believe the medications could harm the child or bring on complications. I related to this custom with my first child. I felt I wanted to experience the birth and labor so that I could bond with my child. Women in Japan typically stay in the hospital longer after birth. Four to ten days and this time is for mother to rest, heal and to be pampered.