childbirth in my life and around the world

On October 12, 2009, I gave birth to my third child and daughter, Kailey. I had to have a scheduled c section, because the doctor I had before Kailey’s doctor cut me. I was a little hesitant, because I didn’t want to go through another c section. I learned that I did not have to have a second c section.  I went in to church on the 11^th and the hospital that night around 9 o’clock. I couldn’t eat after six o’clock. My husband and two daughters spent the night in the hospital with me. We don’t have family or people we can depend on to support us or be there for us. I went through surgery alone. My husband cared for my daughters. Delivery went quick. By the time he had dressed the girls put away blanket and the air mattress, and went into the regular room; I was out of surgery and in recovery. Kailey was my biggest child born. She weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces. I slept for the rest of the day and off and on during the evening. That evening I spent the night alone at the hospital. My husband came back the next day. I met and held my daughter for the first time, about ten a.m. I remember staying in the hospital for four days. I left the evening of the fourth day.  I choose this example because it wasn’t my first experience and my second experience was at a time my family was in town for our church week long revival. I was not able to bond with my child until the next day. I am not sure if having a csection instead of vaginal delivery affected the development of a child. Her head wasn’t shaped like a cone.

I thought this was a very good birthing tradition, from Africa. Before a child’s birth a mother goes away along and sits under a tree until she hears the song of unborn child. Once she hears the song she returns to the village teach the song to the child’s father. As they conceive the child they sing the song to invite the child to its birth. Later they teach the song to the midwife. During the child’s birth they sing the song to invite them into the world. As the child grow up the entire village learns and sing the song, allowing the child to hear their song throughout their life. This song is song for the last time at the child’s death.

This experience is different from my personal experience because of the links in the child’s life. My children didn’t have a lot of people around them rooting for their birth or helping to groom a healthy development, arrival or conception. I am sure the child who grows up with as much consistency and love; will have a better chance for success. I learned how imperative it is to bond, sing and talk to a child. It promotes a healthy development.