The day that forever changed my life and welcomed me to motherhood, December 12, 2001.
My labor was induced after waiting nine days after my due date at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. I opted not to have an epidural. My contractions were pretty intense and lasted about 3 1/2 hours before Jade was born at 6:28 p.m. There were no complications with the birth. Jade was a healthy baby girl who weighed 7lbs. 2oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. After she was born, I can remember thinking she was just perfect and instantly falling in love with her.
Jade being born is an unforgettable and memorable moment in my life. My first child was born. I always loved being around children at a young aged. But when Jade was born, I realized my love just grew stronger. I give credit to Jade for me pursuing my education in early childhood. I wanted to make sure that I was capable of providing her and all other children I interact with the best life possible.
Birth is a remarkable period in life. Understanding and promoting child development is crucial for children to grow and learn to their fullest capabilities. Young children who do not have rich or caring relationships or a rich and caring environment to thrive in will affect their development negatively.
Current common practices of giving birth in Afghanistan are extremely hazardous to mothers and their child. Most commonly mothers do not receive the proper medical care needed to ensure their health or the babies. The majority of mothers give birth on dirt or mud floors using unsanitary practices, it is common for the ones helping with delivery not washing their hands. Hospitals usually lack the proper and adequate medical equipment for child deliveries. It is also likely for Afghanistan women to wear clothing during delivery because of customs and traditions of men other than husband seeing them unclothed. Another dangerous issues dealing with childbirth in Afghanistan is the mother’s placenta being pulled out by the umbilical cord, which could create serious and life-threatening problems. Not having enough facilities and under qualified staff are issues that impair the likely hood of mothers and her child receiving the proper and sufficient care needed to be healthy after delivery. There are programs, internationally and locally, offered to teach and train about safe and healthier child delevering practices.
There are many differences compared to my personal birthing experience compared to the women in Afghanistan. I gave birth in a hospital which was clean, sanitary, and the best interests of my child and myself. Most Afghanistan women do not have that luxury of birthing a child in a hospital or a sanitary environment which promotes their health and well-being. Afghanistan has a rather high rate of death during pregnancy and during delivering. Different countries have different methods, practices, and traditions when it comes to birthing a child. Some methods, practices, and traditions are not in the best interests of the mother or child. Tradition and customs play a large role in the experience of childbirth and have a positive or negative development of children throughout life.
Resources
http://www.msf.org.uk/allywakeham.letter?lId=314cb605-9b08-44eb-b8f6-1dbcaf0c6234
http://reliefweb.int/node/117884
Hi Crystal!
ReplyDeleteThank you for researching and sharing what birthing is like for women in Afghanistan. It is very interesting to learn what women experience around the world in different countries and cultures. I feel so sad hearing about the experiences of women who must give birth in such unsanitary and deadly conditions.