Childbirth In My Life and Around the World

The birthing experience I chose to write was the birth of my youngest daughter. I have four daughters and the last one I had a natural childbirth. No anesthesia, which was a critical awakening for me.  Our Insurance changed and I know longer could have epidurals for pain that I had prior with my other three daughters.  I convinced my doctor not to put me to sleep. I did not want to sleep through the birth of my daughter. What a mistake that was! Based on my high blood pressure the doctor decided to induce labor earlier than my original due date. Now Ladies and gentleman I have had headaches and pain before, but I could never have prepared myself for what was about to happen. As the pain began I thought I would be o.k., but in the last stages the pain became unbearable. I then wanted to be put to sleep but based on the insistence and promise from my doctor he did not give it me. I felt as if my body was being ripped apart. I thought I could do this but, to my surprise it was the most painful situation I have ever been in. I have a better respect for my species, because of what we have to go through as women. The joy of holding my daughter for the first time I should say to you was well worth it, as much as I love her, but I don’t think I could be that crazy ever again! Thank God for medication. (Smile).

Birth in South Africa: Indigenous Traditions

South Africa is today a country of many cultures, languages and traditions. Yet at one time, the area was populated only by an original group of indigenous people: the Khoisan Bushmen. Khoisan tribes who have been studied by anthropologists, including the !Kung, has show that not only do they have a vast knowledge of the plant and animal life, but also a sound knowledge of women’s monthly cycles according to the moon, knowledge that pregnancy occurs through sexual intercourse and knowledge of the average length of a pregnancy. Motherhood, amongst the San Bushmen, brings status and social recognition to the young girl after she has navigated the journey of pregnancy and birth (Birth 2011).Unlike our attitude in the western world where women are offered pain relief at the slightest twinge that labor may have begun, a young !Kung woman is actively taught that she must face the pains of natural childbirth with courage and fearlessness. Most women will give birth alone in a squatting position, some few hundred meters from their settlement, and this is regarded as ideal, although mothers giving birth for the first time may have a helper at hand. Bringing a child into the world is a gift to the tribe and a young mother is taught that how she feels and thinks during the pregnancy will affect the labor and birth of the new baby (Birth 2011).Giving birth alone is a tremendous experience for the first time mother among the San Bushmen, and many young girls are encouraged to watch another woman giving birth so that they learn to face their fears. It appears that San women bite the cord with their teeth and bury the placenta after giving birth, before walking back to the settlement. This is her duty, to return the placenta, which is no longer needed, to mother earth. After a birth, the mother is secluded in her hut with the baby until she stops bleeding and burial of the placenta and cord has great importance (Birth 2011).  All African cultures believe that a new baby has come from the spirit world bearing gifts and talents.  The naming ceremony is therefore of vital importance, connecting a baby to the ancestors who have imparted these talents and bonding the newborn to the community.

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