Childbirth-In My Life and Around the World

My first birthing experience (25 year ago) was what I considered to be fairly simple.  My water broke several days prior to birth and I was admitted to the hospital even though I was not dilating or near delivery.  By day two, the doctors agreed that if I did not start to dilate they would need to perform a cesarean.  Well, lord and behold, early that morning I started and within two hours my son was born, without any complications.  It was what I, and many mothers I have spoken with, considered to be an easy birth.   Fourteen years later, I had a similar delivery in that I was a career woman who had worked all day and come home that evening without any labor signs.  At midnight I went into labor and rushed to the hospital, less than two hours later my son was born. I choose these experiences because I have not shared in many births, just my own two and have only talked with parents about their birth experiences.  In our country, prenatal care and advances in technology both affect and impact child development.  Issues such as medical supervision, routine examinations, and interventions are key in reducing complications of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

I have always been intrigued with Brazil and therefore researched childbirths in that country.   Natural births are not common, but when they happen they involve routine use of epidurals and episiotomies.  If you are fortunate enough to be in a private hospital, you will more than likely have a caesarean (70 to 90% chance). Doctors prefer caesareans as they are faster and more practical, as they can schedule them ahead of time, to prevent being called on at an inconvenient time. Fasting is an almost compulsory item and in many hospitals tricotomy is required.  Some hospitals have labor and delivery rooms, but they are usually inside the OBGYN centers.  You are only allowed one relative or friend, but absolutely doulas.  And even some states and cities, husbands are forbidden from entering the obstetric centers.   As opposed to the Brazil, caesareans are not an immediate in the U.S. and certainly not for the reasons cited.  Even though I did not have many individuals in my rooms during either of my births, I cannot imagine not having my husband present.

I was surprised to read that many health care providers favor C-sections when labor (93%).  The impact of the birthing experience in Brazil continues to face developed country problems.   Children are much healthier now and more of them are getting healthier faster, because of improvements in education, use of health services, transportation, water supply, and their own individual behavior.