Week 1-Memories

I must say when people talk about the birth of their child they never prepared me for the birth of my child. I remember the week leading up to let's just call it "b-day" like it was yesterday. Those last and final days I remember being so tired, didn't want to get up for work, didn't want to walk the dogs, all I wanted to do was sleep. Who knew that would be the last time I'd sleep deeply.
Day one of labor I recall dropping my step children off at summer camp. I was experiencing what I thought were Braxton hicks. Ironically my doctors appointment later that afternoon so I was anxious to tell her what I was feeling. Later at my appointment my husband and I went in there very excited, my doctor informed us that I was just a mere 2 cm dilated and that at 39 weeks I wouldn't make it to 40.
 I just felt so different, I just knew that my son would be here soon. Later that day my contractions increase and I got even more anxious, so we headed to the hospital just to be turned away because I hadn't dilated any further.
The next 4 days of labor, yes 4 whole days, were exhausting, painful and annoying. Each time I made my way to the hospital I was turned away. I couldn't sleep or eat. Walking around the mall to progress labor was the worst idea any nurse could've given me, I could hardly move and I felt like a whale. Finally, my husband went back to work I stayed home alone and that's when I couldn't take it anymore. I called my husband to hurry home and take me back to the hospital. When he got home we rushed to the hospital got admitted and I finally got some much needed rest thanks to pain medicine. The next few hours were a blur I remember them breaking my water, being flipped around. Then they woke me up to tell me my baby's heart rate was dropping and they needed to get him out immediately. I was so scared and exhausted but I had to do what was right and get my baby out of there. They prepped my husband and I for surgery and off we went. A few minutes later my son was born I'll never forget the feeling I felt and how much my life has changed since that day.
This example is ingrained in my mind because I had everything planned out and no matter how much I planned for his arrival he still did what he wanted to do. This birth has an impact on child development because it shows how quickly medical problems occur. Fast reactions and proper medical plans play a key role in the health and development of a child. 

 

I've always wanted to visit Brazil so I thought why not see what having a baby in this country would be like. I was shocked at my readings. Brazil has a high rate for C-sections almost 87% in private hospitals alone. This is very alarming to me. It's simply because the birth rates in this country are so high that families are scheduling C-sections because they're easier and more convenient. A poor person having a baby goes to a government subsidized hospital, while a wealthy person can have a luxurious labor in a private hospital. Considering a large portion of Brazil is poor, hospital overcrowding is a realistic aspect. Similarly we share a higher C-section rate, but quality care is provided in the same hospital regardless if a person is rich or poor. When I think about the overcrowding of hospital I consider us fortunate not have to deal with this issue. I just envision parents hugging their newborns in the hallways and being released without any prenatal care. I gained invaluable insight on the various changes in birth. I would hope that one day health care can continue to expand and be universal across all countries. Not saying that our health care is the best, however I'm sure we can combine our research and knowledge to help other countries.

Alter, L. (2015, January 22). If you want a natural birth in Brazil, you'd better go elsewhere. Retrieved July 7, 2017, from https://www.treehugger.com/

Alter, L. (2015, January 22). If you want a natural birth in Brazil, you'd better go elsewhere. Retrieved July 7, 2017, from https://www.treehugger.com/