Week 1

A home birth versus a controlled and/or clinical setting birth for expecting mothers can be a hard decision. It did surprise me that 100% of births in the United States do take place in a controlled setting where as outside of the United States the majority of births occur at home. The more I read during my last pregnancy I felt as if many more moms began talking as if they wanted a home birth. I think this would be a nice experience but I believe hospitals have made it a great experience for families also. I have had good experiences at hospitals and for me it was critical to be in that controlled environment each time due to complications.

            Thinking about a personal birthing experience, I think about my three deliveries. I have had two c-sections with my two boys and one vaginal stillbirth with my daughter. My first son was born two and half years ago and I feel as if I remember it like it was yesterday. A specific memory I have from this event was when I turned to my husband said we need to do what the doctors says and do a c-section. I remember feeling scared and unsure but knowing we needed to do it for the health of our son. Everything during surgery went well yet my son ended up in the NICU. I choose this event because it was my first personal experience with birth and it was an amazing life altering experience. A child’s development begins at birth. I believe a bond between a mother and child is the start for this development and is very important.

            I chose to research birthing in the country of Chile. I learned that there has been a rise in caesarean births over the years. The majority of these c-sections are taking place in public settings. It is believed that cultural factors have pushed the increasing rate. “A very hierarchical health system where users have no higher incidence, the idea that using more intervention is synonymous of better health care, the idea that birth is dangerous and must be controlled by specialists, and a great fear of childbirth in general (hazardous event) and pain during treatment, among others” (womendeliver.org). Chile is rated 4^th globally for c-section rates. Relating Chile’s preferred birth methods to my own personal experience there are some similarities and differences. I had two c-sections as many of the women in Chile do but I did not consent to the c-sections due to cultural beliefs. It was medically necessary for me.  I did find it interesting that the article states, “frequently in our caesareans: after birth the newborn child is almost immediately taken outside the pavilion” (womendeliver.org). This is different than my experience. My doctor and hospital are big believers in the mother and child bond. My first son due to medical reasons was not with me the entire time but my second son was with me and my husband the entire time with skin to skin and nursing as soon as I was able. I think this critical bonding time is important in a child’s development yet not damaging if it doesn’t happen.

http://www.womendeliver.org/updates/entry/voices-of-advocates-part-2-caesarean-births-chile