Childbirth-In your life and Around the World

Childbirth has always fantasizing me. Although I have not experienced a personal childbirth, I have participated in someone's childbirth. There are two childbirth experiences that put a lot of impacts on me.


First Childbirth Experience:

My friend was about 23 or 24 years old (same age as I was) when she gave birth to a female baby.  I spent the night with my friend at her residence.  Her labor began with some bleeding. She asked me what we should do and I suggested that we visit the hospital.  By the time we arrived at the hospital, she started to have labor. The labor and childbirth took about 9 hours. I sat with her. I allowed her to clasp my hand as hard as she wanted. Her labor decreased through the day, which was not what medical professionals wanted; therefore, they administered medication to increase the labor. 

Since the mother is deaf, she had hard time requesting for an interpreter.  The hospital could not find anyone to interpret. I contacted my sister who lived a block away from the hospital in Maryland.  My sister interpreted until certified interpreter arrived. Without interpreter, it was somewhat terrifying for mother to not know what was happening with her body and the baby.

As the mother reached the birthing point, she permitted me to watch the birth up close.  It was utterly amazing! When the baby showed its head, I said, "she definitely looks like her father!"  The father was not in the room.  He wanted to wait until after the birth.  It was exciting time for everyone. We all wanted to hold her.

The parents asked me to be the godmother of this child and I accepted the offer. Fast forward ten years, Erika (the child) is ten years old and is a bright girl.  She knows me as her aunt.  My role has an impact on Erika's child development, because I was able to provide some of things she needed; especially clothings.

Second Childbirth experience:

This was not the best childbirth experience. My youngest sister was four month pregnant when she found herself bleeding excessively. She was brought to the hospital.

All of my family members were there except me. No one bothered to contact me to inform me of the early birth. 

My sister had to give birth to stillborn. She reported that it was painful and uncomfortable. After the birth, she was given an opportunity to look at 4 month fetus that showed hands, legs, fingers, genital, and face.  When she realized I was not present at the event, she became very upset and demanded to know why I did not show up. 

A few months after miscarriage, she was pregnant with my nephew who came along 9 month later. Picture above-Gabriel as a baby.  He is now 8 years old.

Giving Birth in France:

http://riviera.angloinfo.com/countries/france/birth.asp
http://www.livingfrance.com/expert-advice-healthcare-healthcare-pregnancy-giving-birth-in-france--4481

In France, there are detailed descriptions how parents can prepare the birth.

1. Once pregnancy is identified, the mothers need to bring her family history. The medical professionals will do blood examination to filter for allergies and identify diseases that may present risks.
2. Parents must fill out several documentation to declare the pregnancy to receive France National Insurance.
3. Medical Administration is to give pamphlets to the parents to review the maternal leave and maternity record book.
     A. Parents must fill out the maternity record book with documentation of   
         pregnancy procedures, consultations, and appointments.
     B. Establish follow up
     C. If parents follow this procedure, mothers will be entitled to 100% 
         reimbursement.
     D. If parents chose not to follow through with this procedure, parents may 
         find themselves in financial jeopardy (no refund or allowance to cover the
         pregnancy and birth).
     E. Offer labor class
     F. Offer pass to pregnant women to use to demand that someone gives up his 
         seat on public transportation for them and to allow them go into front of
         lines in public places.

France offers employment and maternal leave protection. Women are given 16 weeks maternal leave with pay for the first and second child.  If women have third, they are given 26 weeks maternal leave with pay. Fathers are given family leave.

When birth dues, women are encouraged to obtain midwife at maternal hospital to prevent further risks on mothers and infants.  Birth at home is uncommon and it is becoming trend.  France may change its regulation to support home births in the future.

France is known for providing high standard medical care to mothers and infants. However, the catch is that parents need to submit all the documentations and follow through with the procedures to receive full benefits. 

As I read information on birth in France, I realized that if mothers in France are given extended maternal leave, the infants would greatly benefit from social development with their mothers.  This possibly reduces the stress on the mothers and babies.  Oftentimes, in our country the mothers experience stress from obtaining maternal leave and ensuring that they receive sufficient pay. Then they have to worry about finding caregivers to care the babies when mothers return to work after 8 weeks.

I have watched a mother trying to arrange maternal leave only to find out that she must have plenty of personal time off hours to have 8 weeks off. Her company does not offer maternal leave. She only had six weeks worth of personal time off. Her husband and co-workers donated their personal time off hours to the mother.  After 8 weeks, she felt she need to stay home with the baby, but she could not afford to do so.  She returned to work.

Does our country support mothers and babies at lower rate than other countries? This would truly sadden me because to maintain life cycle--populating must continue.