EQ: Why Don’t People talk about it?
The experience of one’s birth is often not a subject that one would usually come across in a conversation. Occasionally, one would only talk about their birth if he/she were asked to describe his/her birth—and that’s based on personal experience. Based on the multiple opinions between males and females, one may find birth rather disturbing than it is beautiful, or vice-versa. Most men are more frightened of the sight of a baby coming out of the vagina they had once “made love to” rather than it process being a ‘beautiful moment’. Meanwhile, women believe the opposite and think that the birth of their child is the most beautiful thing that could have happened to them. In the end of the process of giving birth, a baby is born, though it does pop a question—why don’t people talk about it? Why do people decide not to talk about how a baby is born, if the birth was a normal or natural birth, what extra procedures were done to help deliver the baby? Etc. Based on my YouTube experience over the break, it seems that people do decide to talk about their birth by posting it on the internet for millions of viewers to watch. On a serious note, people have the decision not to talk about birth/child birth due to the fact that it is a personal experience that should be kept and reminisced between the family and close friends. It also involves medical professionals who do not discuss the medical risks that could be involved when having certain procedures done when having a baby in a hospital in comparison to a home birth. One can believe that doctors do talk about some risks, but why do they ignore the risks by continually giving the patient, for example, an epidural?
In the home birth YouTube video, the process of giving birth was looked very calm and concentrating. The mother did have a lot of support and seemed relaxed, although she was still in labor; she looked like she had the patience to deliver her baby by just closing her eyes and having contact with her husband who was with her 90% of the time. During the process, I couldn’t help but notice how the person, who was guiding the baby out of the birth-canal, seemed like she was tugging on the baby’s head. From what I remember being said in class that a person should never pull the head of the baby due to the risk of pulling the head out of place. Aside from that small dilemma, the couple seemed very open about their birth which puts them on the fence to why people do not talk about it, when this couple had the courage to post their experience on the World Wide Web.
The C-Section YouTube video was an interesting kind of birth rather than it being disturbing. Don’t get me wrong, I do not like the sight of flesh being cut up, but the way the baby was taken out of the mother’s uterus was much faster than the average birth with having to push the baby in and out of the vagina. The process had me thinking about the possible risks doctors could have ignored when giving the mother a c-section, but because majority of c-sections across the world have been successful & expensive, all risks are most likely ignored by doctors.
The giraffe & dolphin birth looked rather similar. In both YouTube videos, the end of the baby was sticking out of the vagina, the baby dolphin’s fin and the four legs of the giraffe. The birth was obviously natural and did not involve actual people trying to help deliver their baby. I was amazed to how the fast a baby dolphin learns how to swim right when he/she is delivered. I also thought how painful it looked for the giraffe to be dropped on the ground instead of having the usual support a baby would need when given birth. I honestly thought that the people who worked in the zoo would put some sort of soft pillow under the mother giraffe, but instead put a kind of sand which acted like the support of the baby giraffe. When the topic is about mammals and how they give birth, animal experts are open to talk about how an animal gives birth, and what habits they do when trying to deliver the baby. In this case, the dolphin swims around while the giraffe just stands and is slightly squatting. A reason to why animal experts are open to talk about the animal’s birth is to show how similar it is to when humans give birth to their babies.
Situations that involve people talking about his/her birth story or their child’s birth story either has a positive or negative offense. With my own experience with asking my mom about my birth, she felt curious to why I wanted to know so much about how I was born and what happened when I came out of her. Although it was me who was being born, she took it personal and thought that the experience should be kept in the family. I asked if there were any recordings of my birth. In her response, she did not hesitate to say no. She told me that she did not think it was appropriate to record or talk to anybody about her birth experience with me or my sister. From my mom’s perspective, I could understand why she would want to protect her experience, similar to how she protects my sister and I. People do have their own reasons for not talking about their birth, possibly due to the personal experience of the pain that it involved, mental/physical pain of giving birth, or if the father was even there to support his child, or the experience it had between the mother and the father.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
AWOB - Natural Vs. Normal
Normal Birth, in my opinion, is a form of natural birth with a few adjustments to how mother delivers a baby on his/her birthday. A natural birth involves loved ones, a mid-wife, nudity, the sight of flesh, loud noises, no drugs-such like an epidural, shifting positions (while giving birth)/walking/kissing/sexual contact with the mother to help her deliver the baby faster, all of the attention is towards the mother giving labor to the baby and the baby can be delivered at any time during the day. Meanwhile, normal birth involves a medical professional that has all the attention on him/herself rather than the 'patient' giving labor the a baby. Those who have participated in normal births, which is majority of the country, are familiar with papers gowns and steel instruments, drugs (epidural or pitocin), a scheduled birth that is on the doctor's time & not the baby's time, and usually the baby is taken away after the doctor shows the baby to the mother of how he/she looks like to put into a metal glass 'hot-plate'.
I could understand why normal birth would be convenient to mothers, in most cases, however, the way the message was being made in class is that normal birth takes away all of the natural occurrences in child birth. The fact that the mother is not only alienated by the glass box that the baby is put into-&instead could be getting body heat from his/her mother- the mother is also being fed to FHM and an IV which limits the mother to do anything to comfort the baby. Although the machines and hospital assistance may help the mother deliver her baby, in comparison to natural birth, natural birth seems more efficient due to the fact that the process of delivering a baby is not in a rush and does not involve machines and a glass box that limits the mother and the baby from seeing each other.
& what makes me think is the risks involved when having a normal birth in a hospital.
Natural birth does not seem normal to most people due to the fact that it does not involve medical professionals and the 100 years of science to help deliver a baby. Natural birth is completely normal for those who prefer to not deliver their baby in the hospital, which i think more women should do to get the natural feel of having a baby instead of taking away 90% of what occurs in a natural birth in a normal birth procedure.
I could understand why normal birth would be convenient to mothers, in most cases, however, the way the message was being made in class is that normal birth takes away all of the natural occurrences in child birth. The fact that the mother is not only alienated by the glass box that the baby is put into-&instead could be getting body heat from his/her mother- the mother is also being fed to FHM and an IV which limits the mother to do anything to comfort the baby. Although the machines and hospital assistance may help the mother deliver her baby, in comparison to natural birth, natural birth seems more efficient due to the fact that the process of delivering a baby is not in a rush and does not involve machines and a glass box that limits the mother and the baby from seeing each other.
& what makes me think is the risks involved when having a normal birth in a hospital.
Natural birth does not seem normal to most people due to the fact that it does not involve medical professionals and the 100 years of science to help deliver a baby. Natural birth is completely normal for those who prefer to not deliver their baby in the hospital, which i think more women should do to get the natural feel of having a baby instead of taking away 90% of what occurs in a natural birth in a normal birth procedure.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
AWOB - Feb 10 Classwork/Homework
Ten Interesting Questions & Answers:
What is the process of an abortion? (Andy's Blog)
The process of aborting a baby can be done through medication or surgical procedures that eliminate the fetus that is produced in the womb.
One of the many abortion methods is the most common method is a suction-abortion, also known as the vacuum abortion.
Manual Vacuum Aspiration is the removal of the fetus/embryo by using a syringe. Electric Vacuum Aspiration is the use of an electrical pump.
What is the effect of having an abortion? (Tyler's Blog)
The risks of having any (physical) after-effects after having an abortion include: Abdominal pain and cramping, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Spotting and Bleeding, Heavy or persistent bleeding, Infection or sepsis, Damage to the cervix, Scarring of the uterine lining, Perforation of the uterus, Damage to other organs or Death.
How much does a Hospital birth cost vs. a Home birth? (Kareem's Blog)
Mothers would usually pay between $1500 - $8000 who have uncomplicated births, however mothers who have a complicated birth where it may include surgery, intensive care, etc. the cost would reach up to $21000+.
Home birth cost less than $3000.
How often do mothers die after birth? (Kiana's Blog)
Since the year 2000, a little over half of a million woman have died to maternal death. Aside from excessive blood loss that is one of the handful of causes for mother mortality, according to WORLD NEWS, mother who are obese have also have become a cause to mother mortality as well.
Where can you go and have a abortion? (Anias's Blog)
Because Abortion is legal in NY, local clinics are available almost everywhere. A few are:
Abortion Clinic New York
Early Abortion Options
Parkmed Abortion Clinic
Planned Parenthood
(5 of my own questions):
How long does it take to recover from a c-section?
Depending on the woman, it takes from a couple of weeks to probably months to recover from a c-section.
What kind of c-sections are there?-Classical C-Section
-Lower Uterine Segment C-section
-An Emergency C-Section
-A crash C-section
-A c-section hysterectomy
-Repeat C-section
What are the benefits of having a c-section?
-Fast labor in order to protect the baby's heart
-Reduces any risk of incontinence, sexual dysfunction, oxygen deprivation to baby during delivery, birth trauma
How often do mothers die after child birth, specifically after having a c-section? What are the causes?
"The placenta embeds into the uterine scar from a previous surgery, causing a catastrophic hemorrhage at the time of delivery. Most women with placenta accreta lose their uteri; as many as 1 in 15 bleed to death. In 1970, accretas were so rare that most obstetricians never encountered one in their career. Today, according to a University of Chicago study, the incidence may be as high as 1 in 500 births. And that is all because of caesareans and repeat caesareans." (LA Times)
What is infant mother mortality?
Mother mortality is the death of women after giving birth.
What is the process of an abortion? (Andy's Blog)
The process of aborting a baby can be done through medication or surgical procedures that eliminate the fetus that is produced in the womb.
One of the many abortion methods is the most common method is a suction-abortion, also known as the vacuum abortion.
Manual Vacuum Aspiration is the removal of the fetus/embryo by using a syringe. Electric Vacuum Aspiration is the use of an electrical pump.
What is the effect of having an abortion? (Tyler's Blog)
The risks of having any (physical) after-effects after having an abortion include: Abdominal pain and cramping, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Spotting and Bleeding, Heavy or persistent bleeding, Infection or sepsis, Damage to the cervix, Scarring of the uterine lining, Perforation of the uterus, Damage to other organs or Death.
How much does a Hospital birth cost vs. a Home birth? (Kareem's Blog)
Mothers would usually pay between $1500 - $8000 who have uncomplicated births, however mothers who have a complicated birth where it may include surgery, intensive care, etc. the cost would reach up to $21000+.
Home birth cost less than $3000.
How often do mothers die after birth? (Kiana's Blog)
Since the year 2000, a little over half of a million woman have died to maternal death. Aside from excessive blood loss that is one of the handful of causes for mother mortality, according to WORLD NEWS, mother who are obese have also have become a cause to mother mortality as well.
Where can you go and have a abortion? (Anias's Blog)
Because Abortion is legal in NY, local clinics are available almost everywhere. A few are:
Abortion Clinic New York
Early Abortion Options
Parkmed Abortion Clinic
Planned Parenthood
(5 of my own questions):
How long does it take to recover from a c-section?
Depending on the woman, it takes from a couple of weeks to probably months to recover from a c-section.
What kind of c-sections are there?-Classical C-Section
-Lower Uterine Segment C-section
-An Emergency C-Section
-A crash C-section
-A c-section hysterectomy
-Repeat C-section
What are the benefits of having a c-section?
-Fast labor in order to protect the baby's heart
-Reduces any risk of incontinence, sexual dysfunction, oxygen deprivation to baby during delivery, birth trauma
How often do mothers die after child birth, specifically after having a c-section? What are the causes?
"The placenta embeds into the uterine scar from a previous surgery, causing a catastrophic hemorrhage at the time of delivery. Most women with placenta accreta lose their uteri; as many as 1 in 15 bleed to death. In 1970, accretas were so rare that most obstetricians never encountered one in their career. Today, according to a University of Chicago study, the incidence may be as high as 1 in 500 births. And that is all because of caesareans and repeat caesareans." (LA Times)
What is infant mother mortality?
Mother mortality is the death of women after giving birth.
Monday, February 9, 2009
AWOB - Feb 9 Homework
Topic: C-Sections & Infant Mother Mortality
1. What percentage of women have c-sections?
2. How many women have died from having a c-section?
3. Which process of having a baby is more efficient?
4. How often do mothers die after child birth, specifically after having a c-section? What are the causes?
5. Why do mothers have c-sections?
6. How long does it take to recover from a c-section?
7. What is the emotional/physical effects a mother has on a c-section?
8. When was the c-section invented?
9. What kind of c-sections are there?
10. What are the benefits of having a c-section?
11. Should women have c-sections over natural labor?
12. What is the cause of infant mother mortality?
13. What is infant mother mortality?
14. How often does infant mother mortality happen?
15. What does the government do to help support infant mother mortality?
1. What percentage of women have c-sections?
2. How many women have died from having a c-section?
3. Which process of having a baby is more efficient?
4. How often do mothers die after child birth, specifically after having a c-section? What are the causes?
5. Why do mothers have c-sections?
6. How long does it take to recover from a c-section?
7. What is the emotional/physical effects a mother has on a c-section?
8. When was the c-section invented?
9. What kind of c-sections are there?
10. What are the benefits of having a c-section?
11. Should women have c-sections over natural labor?
12. What is the cause of infant mother mortality?
13. What is infant mother mortality?
14. How often does infant mother mortality happen?
15. What does the government do to help support infant mother mortality?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
AWOB - Four Birth Stories
Birth Stories
(ALL STORIES INCLUDE DIFFERENT MOTHERS)
#1
Her second child was born in the afternoon of october 22, 1991. She took a cab with her mother & father in-law, along with her husband. It took her 24 hours to deliver her baby, which she hoped was going to be a girl. She was told by her dad to 'think pink' which he thought would help boost her thought of delivering a baby boy. She did not have a cesarian or was given an epidural which emphasised her painful experience of giving labor after 4 years with her first child.
#2
Her Last child was born in the early afternoon of April 29, 1991. The hospital was two blocks away from her house so it did not take long to reach the hospital. When she got to the hospital, she had a successful c-section. She had fraternal twin baby girls that were two minutes apart which both girls became the 5th and 6th children of the family.
#3
Her 1 st child was born at 5:13am on June 28th, 1991. Before she gave birth to her son, she felt like she had to use the bathroom. Little did she know that her water had broke, so she and her sister tried to find a way to go to the hospital-because at the time she and the aunt did not own a car. A police car was sitting outside and asked kindly for them to drive her and her sister to the hospital. She did not have a c-section but had an epidural shot which she said was still painful to give labor to her son, since he was her first child and all.
#4
Her 2nd child was born in the morning of May 12th, 1992. Her husband drove her to the hospital located in flushing queens. She described her 2nd time giving labor, less painful than her 1st child, since it was 11 months later after giving labor to her first child. She has an Esisotomy, same way she gave birth to her first child, which she described was more painful.
(ALL STORIES INCLUDE DIFFERENT MOTHERS)
#1
Her second child was born in the afternoon of october 22, 1991. She took a cab with her mother & father in-law, along with her husband. It took her 24 hours to deliver her baby, which she hoped was going to be a girl. She was told by her dad to 'think pink' which he thought would help boost her thought of delivering a baby boy. She did not have a cesarian or was given an epidural which emphasised her painful experience of giving labor after 4 years with her first child.
#2
Her Last child was born in the early afternoon of April 29, 1991. The hospital was two blocks away from her house so it did not take long to reach the hospital. When she got to the hospital, she had a successful c-section. She had fraternal twin baby girls that were two minutes apart which both girls became the 5th and 6th children of the family.
#3
Her 1 st child was born at 5:13am on June 28th, 1991. Before she gave birth to her son, she felt like she had to use the bathroom. Little did she know that her water had broke, so she and her sister tried to find a way to go to the hospital-because at the time she and the aunt did not own a car. A police car was sitting outside and asked kindly for them to drive her and her sister to the hospital. She did not have a c-section but had an epidural shot which she said was still painful to give labor to her son, since he was her first child and all.
#4
Her 2nd child was born in the morning of May 12th, 1992. Her husband drove her to the hospital located in flushing queens. She described her 2nd time giving labor, less painful than her 1st child, since it was 11 months later after giving labor to her first child. She has an Esisotomy, same way she gave birth to her first child, which she described was more painful.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
AWOB - American Way of Birth Response
birth /bɜrθ/ [burth] –noun 1. an act or instance of being born: the day of his birth. 2. the act or process of bearing or bringing forth offspring; childbirth. (www.dictionary.com)
Although giving birth to a baby is stressing and painful, depending on the hours the mother is in labor and the situation the mother is involved in (planned pregnancy or not), I think birth has to be the most significant moment of a mother's life.
The process of making and giving birth to a baby is most common to womens American way of living. It is human to reproduce and make babies for the next generation, but there are some strings attatched to how the mother may react to other situations while giving birth. There is a chance of a change in the mother after giving birth which is a kind of form of alientation to ones self.
My perception of birth was very similar to those in class who thought that right after the water broke, the mother immediately rushes to the hospital. In reality, the mother who is in labor for the first time, takes her time getting to the hospital, like my mom who waited to be picked up by my God-Father from Manhattan, to be driven all the way to Flushing Queens, NY.
The different stories of mom's around the world giving birth is rather interesting and different than it is like every other story. I noticed that the different stories in class involved something so major that made the story significantly different from all the others. Whether it was about getting to the hospital, the process of which it took for the baby to come out, the different methods used to make labor easier (Epidural, Esisiotomy, Lithotomy).
Although giving birth to a baby is stressing and painful, depending on the hours the mother is in labor and the situation the mother is involved in (planned pregnancy or not), I think birth has to be the most significant moment of a mother's life.
The process of making and giving birth to a baby is most common to womens American way of living. It is human to reproduce and make babies for the next generation, but there are some strings attatched to how the mother may react to other situations while giving birth. There is a chance of a change in the mother after giving birth which is a kind of form of alientation to ones self.
My perception of birth was very similar to those in class who thought that right after the water broke, the mother immediately rushes to the hospital. In reality, the mother who is in labor for the first time, takes her time getting to the hospital, like my mom who waited to be picked up by my God-Father from Manhattan, to be driven all the way to Flushing Queens, NY.
The different stories of mom's around the world giving birth is rather interesting and different than it is like every other story. I noticed that the different stories in class involved something so major that made the story significantly different from all the others. Whether it was about getting to the hospital, the process of which it took for the baby to come out, the different methods used to make labor easier (Epidural, Esisiotomy, Lithotomy).
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
AWOB - My Birthday
I was born on June 28th, 1991 at 6:12PM in Queens General Hospital in Flushing Queens, NY. Hours before 6:12, my mom's water broke as she was coming home from work. My mom's doctor was located in Queens; keep in mind that we lived (and still do) in manhattan. At the time, my mom actually waited for my God-Father, who lived in Queens, to drive her all the way to Queens General Hospital, where my dad soon met up with after he finished working. My mom said that the doctor gave her epidural and had an episiotomy when she gave labor. She described my birth as a long and painful labor that took her about 3 hours--which I find hard to believe.
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