A few things I didn't know about the birthing process was that it could take a while. It takes some people all day. I also didn't know that at the hospital where my niece was born they keep the amino sack for a week in case anything happens with the baby. I now have 5 nieces and nephews and another on the way in February. I have learned a lot about the process through my sisters and now through this first week of class. I think the birth has a lot to do with child development if the baby was going through stress or if something would go wrong could impact how a child develops. A child might need surgery right away for something or oxygen. I think giving birth in a facility that has the resources to help a child in an unfortunate situation, would make me feel better. I know the whole process of having a baby has come a long way and I'm sure things will change by the time I have kids.
I also researched the birthing process in China. They do have Chinese hospitals as well as Westernized hospitals. There are also a lot of home births in the rural areas of China. A woman who is pregnant in China as a lot of traditions and customs to follow. "A pregnant woman is expected and encouraged to continue working, as it is believed that this will ease labour and delivery." (http://www.4panda.com). I feel that a lot of Americans continue to work as well until the birth. There are similar nutrition guidelines to follow but there are also a few that differ. For example" Nutritious foods and herbal soups should be eaten, and ‘sharp’ foods such as pineapple and some other fruits avoided as they may cause miscarriage. Eating squid and crab are discouraged: the former is believed to cause the uterus to ‘stick’ during delivery, the latter to result in a mischievous child."( http://www.4panda.com). This is a superstition that surrounds Chinese customs. After a child is born the mother is suppose to go into a 30 day confinement period. "In Chinese, this is literally called "sitting the month," as new mothers are pretty much expected to just sit around in pajamas for a month to recover from childbirth." (Lim, 2011). They are not allowed to have cold foods or drinks. They can not bathe or leave the house. They have to wear thick socks and slippers to keep their feet warm. 'If it can be afforded, a special helper- responsible for both mother and child- is hired to tend the new mother for at least two weeks."(http://www.4panda.com/) Facilities have popped up in China that new moms can stay at for their confinement period. These places can be expensive, so many new mother spend this time at home. In the USA mothers usually get time off after the birth but, they do not have to spend that whole time at home. This just showed me how culture and traditions have a lot to do with the development of a child.
Resources: http://www.4panda.com/
Lim, Louisa. (2011, July 20) For Chinese Moms, Birth Means 30 Days In Pajamas. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org
Hello Rachael,
ReplyDeleteSounds like a successful birthing process for your sister. Japanese custom is similar to the Chinese with the "sitting month" I was able to do this with all three of my kids and have either my Mom, Grandmother and husband to help for about a month.
Hello Rachael, I also researched China. Their customs are somewhat alike as Americans, but some are totally different. The Chinese hospitals don't supply the mother with any necessities, they have to bring along bed linen, towels, and so on. They also have 90 days of paid maternity leave after given birth. I would really love this, because I only had six weeks. I didn't know about the home births. You have some great information. God Bless
ReplyDeleteThe birthing experience sounds special. My birthing experience was certainly a positive one (the second time around) and I love to hear success stories.
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