Childbirth In Your Life and Around the World

The birthing experience I took part in was a vaginal birth in the United States of America. The birth took place at a hospital and it wasn’t scheduled due to urgent issues the mother encountered while away from home. Some events I remembered about the birth were:

-24 hour labor

-horizontal position of the baby

-minimal movements from the baby

            -the mother had to change her mind from not having an epidural to having one, due to an elevation in her blood pressure

-labor induction medicine (Pitocin) despite the need of urgency as the mother was being transported to labor and delivery; while being prepped for a cesarean section the baby positioned itself for a traditional vaginal birth. This was great because it allowed her family to participate in the birthing experience!

According to the United Nations, approximately 4,500 woman die annually in South Africa due to treatable and preventable pregnancy and childbirth related causes. Human Rights Watch personnel interviewed a large number of women, below is some of the highlighted details from those interviews are as follows:

-They pinched, slapped, and handled roughly during labor.

-nurses ignored help calls

-women were refused pain medicine

-family members were not allowed in the birthing areas because mothers had to “labor” by themselves.

One thing I appreciate as a United States citizen are the rights I have that differs from that of others in other their country. Having insurance, wonderful bed side manners, and pain medicine are major factors.