Childbirth

Childbirth is a unique experience to each and every person.  I have been privelaged to given birth to two children.  My daughter was born in 2009 and my son was born in March 2013.  Each was unique in their own way but also similar.  I had a lot of prenatal appointments with both my children.  These appointments included measurement of the baby, fetal non stress tests, blood pressure checks on myself and the doctor just getting to know me.  I remember waiting in anticpation for the arrival of our daughter. I also did not want anyone in the room with me except for my husband.  For me being in labor and giving birth to our daughter was very easy.  I even remember saying that was it? I could do that again.  The nurse looked at me and said most people don't say that.  I remember when the nurse handed my daughter over to us I felt happy, relieved that she was healthy and couldn't believe how tiny she was. 

I chose this example because it is what I know.  I also believe that it is important to share positive brith stories.  Too many times I hear of horror stories and it scares people and gives people a negative attitude when they go into delivery.  It was important to me that I welcomed our daughter into a postive enviornment. 

I feel that if families/parents are stressed the child is going to pick up on that.  I believe that the stress impacts the child developing properly.  When stress is involved I feel that children will develop more slowly and will not thrive like they should. 

I looked up information on the Netherlands.  I found it interesting that pregnant moms do not see an obstetrician and instead use a a midwife.  The moms decide whether they will have a home or hospital delivery. If you do opt for a hospital birth you will unlikely get an epidural due to the anesthesiologist's schedule. I also found it intersting that a baby may go home in as little as two hours A nurse will come to the house for seven days and it is know at maternity home care (kraamhulp).  I found this interesting because with my son I stayed in the hospital for three days after delivery and I felt like the doctors were not in a rush to send me home either. 

What would be interesting is to compare how different states in the United States deal with child birth.  I know that in Alaska it is very different than Washington State. 

36 Weeks Pregnant