Birthing Experiences around the World

I have had no personal birthing experience of my own since I am not a mother.  Nonetheless, the most experience I encountered took place twelve years ago.  My older sister had a beautiful baby girl.

It all started when she went to the gynaecologist because she was having some stomach pains.  When she arrived she had to give a urine specimen.  After a few minutes the doctor told her that she was pregnant.  They arranged her prenatal visits and she kept to her appointments.   The first two months of pregnancy was not so difficult.  However, towards the third month, she began experiencing some excruciating pain and she began experiencing difficulties, her gynaecologist discovered that she had multiple fibroids competing the foetus.  As the months went by, her pregnancy became very complicated which led to her being hospitalized for six months.  During that time, the doctor monitored her closely to ensure that the baby had a better chance of survival.   She was on medication which helped to curb the pain.  Towards the eighth month of her pregnancy her water bag broke and he was rushed to emergency surgery.  Through caesarean, she gave birth to 5lb 5oz, premature baby girl.  After she recovered from surgery she was unable to hold because she was placed in an incubator to help her to breathe normally.  The following day, my sister was taken to the ICU unit to see and hold her for a short time.  However, we the family member were unable to see her.  After they were discharged, we (the family members) had to sit with her (the baby) in the sun for sun baths in order to help her recover from the jaundice.  My sister was not allowed to do any work or visit any one since most older people believed that you should allow your body to heal before you start going places and doing regular activities.

The experience of having a baby in China is much different then having one in a western country like the USA. Routine and free prenatal care is limited in some areas. Technically it is also illegal for the those giving the ultrasound to disclose the gender of the foetus. Many hospitals in China only give epidurals for those having caesarean births and women labour together in one room. This type of system may not allow for many family members to be present during a delivery. After giving birth, care is provided by an elder female relative. The period of care right after the delivery is known as the sitting month, so resting for approximately one month after delivery is not unusual. Depending on regional differences, women may not leave their homes, take a bath, wash their hair, expose themselves to cold water, cold temperatures and wind, or ingest ice water or cold food, raw vegetables, salads or fruits. It is believed that women are undergoing a cold stage right after delivery due to loss of blood. In order to restore balance, they need to consume foods considered hot, hot water, soups, ginger, wine and food high in protein. The personality and disposition of an unborn child is thought to be strongly influenced by the state of his mother’s mind and body while expecting. For this reason, Chinese women are strongly urged to control their thoughts and actions (meaning no gossiping, no temper tantrums and no hard physical labour while baby is incubating).  Gift-giving before birth is considered very unlucky in Chinese culture, not to mention you could be stepping on grandma’s toes. The mother-to-be’s own mother is typically responsible for the new baby’s entire layette. A month before birth, the maternal grandmother sends a gift of clothing for the newborn to hasten delivery, then three days after the baby arrives; she visits with the remainder of her grandchild’s wardrobe and gear. 

There are a number of similarities and differences between the birthing experience in China and my country St. Lucia.

Similarities:

• ·         The women have labour together in one room in which the sections are separated with curtains
• ·         Family members and fathers are not allowed in the delivery rooms
• ·         They both have caesarean sections
• ·         Female family members provide support after the birth of the baby
• ·         There is a waiting period after birth to engage in activities
• ·         They both believe that the state of the mother’s mind and body influences the unborn child’s personality and dispositions

Differences

• ·         Epidurals are used in China but not in St. Lucia
• ·         In St. Lucia ultrasounds are given to determine the gender of the foetus in China this is illegal
• ·       In St. Lucia, baby showers are given for the expectant mother in which family and friends supply     gifts and layette, but in China it is considered unlucky to give gifts before child birth
• ·         In St. Lucia there is no restriction on what you must eat after birth like there is in China

Reference

 Medical Chinese, Retrieved from www.ethnomed.org  

 Childbirth of the world. Retrieved 2013 http://www.angelfire.com/wi/caretheworld/english/ebirthworld.htm