EYE OPENERS
Prenatal, Birthing, and Postnatal Traditions
My Birthing Experience
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My birthing experience was frightening. At age 27, I was pregnant with my first and only child. I took Lamaze classes to prepare, ate healthily, and went to my prenatal visits, however, I had a lot of false labor visits to the hospital. I was in extreme pain but not dilating when I was admitted to the Catholic hospital in Inglewood, California. I was admitted Christmas morning but because I had not fully dilated I was administered Morphine for the pain and sleep throughout Christmas Day only to wake up on December 26 in the morning, water breaking. I had a natural birth without an epidural block or medication just the nurses coaching me to breathe. I shall never forget the pain before and during birth. I swore I would never have another child and have not, but I did end up acquiring another daughter. I ended up raising my brother's daughter from 6 months old and have I claimed her as my own. I choose this experience because it is the only one that I have personal experience with. I understand that every birthing experience is different. I have heard some say that they enjoyed being pregnant and the delivery. Mine was not enjoyable but it was most memorable.
I did not smoke when I was pregnant, but a glass of red wine was advised by my obstetrician to help build up my iron deficiency because I had become anemic during my pregnancy. I think that pregnant women especially should be mindful to take extra care of themselves by eating healthy, exercising, reducing stressful experiences, restraining from teratogen as research shows that they may have long term effects on the development of an embryo, and the development of the child, and following doctor’s guidelines. These preventive factors will help in reducing birth defects and birthing a healthy baby.
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Extraordinary Birthing Traditions
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I was intrigued by a birthing practice called “lotus birth”(Sharma, 2018). This practice is been noted in Balinese and Aboriginal culture of Australia for centuries, however, it has also been noted in Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Judaism religious traditions.
This practice allows keeping the umbilical cord and placenta intact after birth and letting it naturally separate from the infant usually within 3-10 days (Hart Hayes, 2019). The placenta is then placed in a bowl or wrapped in a towel and placed near the infant. This practice allows for the blow flow to completely transfer from the placenta to the baby.
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Once the umbilical cord has detached from the infant it is washed, salted several times, wrapped in a cloth, and placed in a basket for airing and drying or “breathing of the placenta”. The washing, salting, and rewrapping occur several times a day. The “lotus birth” is said to have several benefits. Studies have shown that it the complete transfer of the placenta blood of help improve immune function and circulation and increases iron levels, helping to prevent anemia and bowel infections for the child's first year of life, bonding with mother, However, after delivery, the placenta has no blood circulation, therefore, there are dangers of bacteria developing from the decaying tissue causing infection.
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“Most healthcare providers will not perform a lotus birth delivery because of the lack of research. The major maternal and fetal health organizations don’t even have statements on lotus birth because it’s so rare and not well understood (Norris, 2015 para. 24). However, some hospitals will honor this practice for religious reasons but require the umbilical cord to be detached before the mother leaves the hospital.
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In some cultures such as Vietnam and China, the placenta is viewed as a life-giving force. Therefore, it is dried and added to certain placenta recipes in order to increase a person’s energy and vitality.
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References
Hart Hayes, E. (2019). Placentophagy, Lotus Birth, and Other Placenta Practices: What Does the Evidence Tell Us? Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 33(2), 99-102. https://doi.org/10.1097/JPN.0000000000000402
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Norris, T. (2018, November 15).What is lotus birth and is it safe? Retrieved June 29, 2020. from https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/lotus-birth#risks
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Sharma, N. (2018, July 7). The 11 strangest pregnancy trends. Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://www.livescience.com/63006-strangest-pregnancy-trends.html
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Pregnancy and Birth in China
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Before Birth
Mothers-to-be in China have the option of having their baby in a private, public, or international hospital. The decision is based on what they want to pay. The prenatal care is done in local walk-in clinics and then women are sent to public hospitals. Public hospitals tend to have poorer service and there is a wait time. Some of the public hospitals do have VIP wards but they are costly. Expectant moms will choose a hospital and then are assigned a doctor that will provide all the prenatal checkups. Women that chose public hospitals to share a birthing room with other women. Those that chose VIP care will have a private room. During delivery, the doctor will make all the decisions and tell the mother what to do.
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During Delivery
Many expectant moms want their baby to be born on a certain day so they schedule a C-Section. Over 40% of Chinese babies are delivered by C-Sections. Those that do not choose C-section may choose to sit or squat to give birth. Many Chinese moms believe that during birth they may not cry or scream out.
Men are not allowed in the delivery room but must stay in the waiting room.
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After Delivery
After delivery, the mother is moved to the maternity ward which is also shared with other women. Extended family members care for the new mom and the baby. Public hospitals in China do not provide food so the family members must bring food to the mother.
For the first month after the baby is born the new mother remains at home with no visitors. The Chinese believe that pregnancy disturbs the cold and hot balance of the body that is required for good health so many dietary and behaviors practices are customary. New mothers do not shower, eat raw fruits or vegetables, nor drink cold beverages, or coffee. This period is referred to as the zuo yuezi or ‘sitting month (AXA-Global Health Care, 2019). This practice is to return the mother’s natural body balance known as the “yin” and “yang”(Lau, 2012).
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Differences and Similarities
Chinese mothers much like American mothers have the option of choosing a doctor and hospital. Although American mothers’ diet is monitored there are no rigid restrictions of what to eat. C-section delivery in the United States is usually done because of health problems or complications in birth. Nurses care for the mother and baby before and after birth and fathers are encouraged to participate in the birthing. American mothers are encouraged to be active after birth rather than remaining at home for a month.
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References
AXA-Global Health Care. (2019, July 25,).A guide to pregnancy and giving birth in China. Retrieved July 3, 2020. from https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/wellbeing/pregnancy/china/
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Lau, Y. (2012, March). Traditional Chinese pregnancy restrictions, health-related quality of life, and perceived stress among pregnant women in Macao, China. 6 (1). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2012.02.005
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