Stories of Giving Birth

The birth of my two sons.

Both my sons were born by cesarean sections. With my first son I had placenta previa which meant that I could not give birth naturally and hence we had planned the Cesarean. Starting at 16 weeks, I had been placed on restricted activity in order to avoid any contractions at all. When the day finally came at 38 weeks, the experience was quite clinical and we were just checking off on a list to begin with. I was nervous of course but so ready as well, I wanted to meet this little person so much. The doctors insisted on general anesthesia due to the risks involved and so I was taken alone into a cold operating room and prepped up like any major surgery: Gowns, large lights, betadine scrubs and IV lines. All I could think about and all I told my mother and husband was how to take care of my baby when he was delivered.

In the recovery room, after my pain was controlled, I was shown my beautiful little boy and though I was still quite lethargic, he was placed next to me for some time. In that Dubai government hospital in 2002, their practice was to wash the baby right after birth; which is something I was not keen on. I tried to breast feed after I got to my room but was not successful to begin with, so my son was given formula until I was successful a day later. My first few days were all about recovering from the cesarean and trying to breast feed; as well as learning to change diapers and burping and swaddling my little boy. My son and I went home on day 4 after surgery.

I chose to share this birth because I find that the success of my first son's birth is a perfect example of the delicate prenatal care and delivery needed for a fetus to develop successfully and then the newborn baby too. Had my placenta previa not been diagnosed, my life and his life would have been in danger if I went into natural labor. Had the medical care not been adequate, the delivery could have jeopardized both of our well-being. The successful development of my son in pregnancy and then upon cesarean delivery is due to the support I received from the medical professionals, my husband and his family, and my mother.

My second son was also born by cesarean section because according to my obstetrician, I had started contractions but my cervix had not dilated which made it risky for the baby. That experience was completely different to me for various reasons. The procedure was done under spinal anesthesia which was incredible comfortable, and I was fully awake for the delivery. My husband was in the room with me behind the big curtain and we heard our son cry after he was pulled out. It was a less stressful experience altogether. When they handed me my son, he was still in his natural state (not washed), and my husband was offered the cutting of the chord. Few minutes after I was stitched up, I was in the recovery room and my son 'crawled up' my chest and breast fed so easily. Once again, I had my husband, my mother, my in-laws and lots of family to support me; which is how my son's well being and his older brother's was ensured.

Against the odds of a high risk pregnancy and an emergency cesarean section, my two sons had a great start to their lives, with lots of love, good hygiene, breast milk, warmth and the health services needed.

Child birth in Denmark

My close friend and colleague is from Denmark, and a mother of three wonderful children. I had always heard her talk about her natural deliveries, and decided to take this assignment as an opportunity to hear about her experience. In summary, the Danish have two choices of where to deliver their babies: the government hospitals (Denmark has high quality public health care for all its citizens) or at home. It is a mid-wife that delivers the baby and doctors (anesthesiologist, obstetricians and pediatricians) are only on call. There is no pre-booked cesarean sections allowed, and they are discouraged completely unless it is medically necessary. No pain management is offered, and the birth is as natural as possible.

For all three of her children, my friend delivered naturally with a midwife, without any pain management except a little 'laughing gas'. With her first daughter in 1998 she stayed in hospital two nights as permitted for a first child, with her son in 2000 she was discharged five hours after delivery, and with her second daughter in 2001 after much pleading she was allowed two nights' stay. Breast feeding is expected of all mothers.

Maternity leave in Denmark is very impressive; my friend had 6 weeks of paid leave before the baby was due and 6 months of paid leave after delivery. Her husband had two weeks of paid leave, and she also had the option of taking an additional 6 months leave at 60% of her salary.

An interesting document that seems to be published by the healthcare system in Denmark points out more facts. During a pregnancy there are three checkups with a GP, only 2 ultrasound checks, 5-7 checkups with a midwife and only if necessary does the expectant mother see an obstetrician. Giving birth is considered an outpatient procedure, unless it is the first birth or complications are expected.

I have always been intrigued by the fact that the majority of the Danish do not own cars, and their main form of transportation is bicycles. Sure enough, when I was researching giving birth in Denmark, I found a blog that addresses this part of the culture and how pregnant women are encouraged to ride their bikes, even to get to the hospital for delivery.

I find it very interesting that such a progressive and civilized country plans the birth of its infants in such a 'back to basics' method. I find it quite contradicting to other westernized countries where the delivery itself is made as comfortable as possible, but the mother is expected back at work within 45 days or 6 weeks.  Of course with public health care, we know that costs are always minimized as much as possible, so could this be the driving force for their birthing approach or is it their 'viking' culture of endurance? Regardless, the Danish population, including their children, is considered one of the happiest in the world.

Please check out the links mentioned:

http://www.regionh.dk/NR/rdonlyres/305349A6-E2C8-40F7-870B-AAD46B27DA13/0/pregnancy_and_birth_A4_pic.pdf.

http://www.copenhagenize.com/2011/09/cycling-with-contractions-to-hospital.html