Halyn was born April 14, 2010 at 4:14. She wasn't due until the first of May, but signs of pre eclampsia caused me to be induced three weeks earlier. I remember on April 14, I had a doctors appointment for an ultrasound and was told we need to go ahead and induce me. The doctors were concerned that my daughters lungs wasn't completely developed. I had to be at the hospital at 7:00pm so they could start the Pitocin. Then after a few hours of medication I still haven't dilated any. My blood pressure continued to rise which was very scary. The doctors continued to monitor me then came in and told me they were going to prep me for a C- section. Then, right before they were getting ready to take me back they checked one last time and Halyn was almost out. Apparently she didn't want me cut! She came out blue with the cord wrapped around her neck. Needless to say I didn't get to hold her right then and there but after she was ok it was the best moment of my life.
I was fortunate to have my family members in the room while I delivered. My sister videoed and took some photos. My mother in law was there watching her first grand daughter come into the world. I really felt supported and safe. It was a hard few hours of labor and the pain from the contractions vanished as soon as I got that swell of emotion of seeing the baby on my belly that had been in my belly for so long. She was beautiful and amazing.
I chose this story because it was the one I remembered the most. Just writing about it brings back so many memories!
I chose to look at stories of women in Nepal and their birth experiences. I had heard that Nepal has one of the highest maternal death rates during childbirth. I found a fascinating news story done by a Nepalese woman who herself was pregnant. Her news story was about how different her experience being pregnant was with that of her poorer sisters in the countryside. I was saddened to learn that even though money and support has been given to the elders of the villages, much of it never makes it to the women in the form of skilled birth attendants to assist the mothers. I also learned that complications during the birth are normal in Nepal which is why so many women are dying when they give birth. These types of births can also be traumatic for the unborn baby. Lack of oxygen to the brain, poor blood flow, infection, and stress can all cause infirmity in the baby when it is born.
There were not many similarities between my birth and the one of the poor mothers in Nepal. The only thing I saw that was the same was how much we all loved our babies. I also noticed that perhaps we all have a fear of dying during childbirth, but for the poor women in Nepal, that fear is very real and very possible without the proper medical care.
There were not many similarities between my birth and the one of the poor mothers in Nepal. The only thing I saw that was the same was how much we all loved our babies. I also noticed that perhaps we all have a fear of dying during childbirth, but for the poor women in Nepal, that fear is very real and very possible without the proper medical care.
Having children can be very frightening at times. My first pregnancy all types of ideas flowed through me head. But it very sad to read how the women in Napel are at risk while pregnant.
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