I was blessed to have three children. My girls were born full term however my son, who is our first born, was born three months early and weight 1pound and 10oz. The doctor had given him a 40 percent change of survival. After six months in the hospital, close calls and 10 hour visit we were able to bring him home. Now he is a healthy 24 year old man who lives in Indianapolis and is doing well. I chose this birth because it was a life changing experience and it helped us to realize how precious life is. Because he was born early his lungs were not fully developed and the doctors said he would be behind the months with his mile stones. He did catch up and graduated from high school and college with honors.
Birth in other countries…
In the Netherlands the mother has a choice to deliver at home or in the hospital. Most Dutch mothers have midwives and deliver at home. A doctor is only seen if the birth a high risk case. The mother does not receive pain medication during birth and if they chose to deliver in the hospital, and the birth is good, the mother and child are sent home within two hours. This experience is opposite of the births in America.
Reference
http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteWow! How luck you are! Weighing 1 pound and 10 oz is a very small baby. I can't even imagine what you went through. I know it must have been so tough having to be in the hospital for a long six months hoping for the best for your son. I am so glad that everything worked out in your favor and that your son did so well with his development later on. And congratulations to him for graduating with honors. That is a great accomplishment. You must be so proud!
I found your reporting on birth in the Netherlands very interesting. I never gave it much thought to how other countries may differ in their birthing practices. I have never known anyone close to me that chose a home birth and a midwife, but I know that it does sometimes occur in the United States. Personally, I would feel better giving birth in a hospital with a doctor around, but I know all women feel differently and therefore they choose different methods.
Sometimes I wonder if they keep women and infants too long in the hospital here. I think after I had my son I was ready to go home shortly after. Instead, they kept waking me up all night, poking and prodding and checking things. Really, I had no complications and wished I could have just gone home earlier. That is one thing that sometimes makes home births look so appealing, I am in the comfort of my own home and after I get all cleaned up, I can rest peacefully in my own bed in my natural surroundings.
ReplyDeleteThe story of your son is a miracle. I think it is amazing the way doctors are able to save even the tiniest and undeveloped babies. There is always that wonder if they will turn out alright later down the road or continue to have complications their whole lives.
Kelly you may have thought everything was fine but what happens if something went wrong and you were home and it was not caught?
ReplyDeleteThe story of your son is amazing. Did you notice that he was behind on his milestones? How long until you found that he was a typical child and caught up on his milestones. Did he end up getting sick very easily?
Wow, only 1 pound 10ounces, what a story. Life is definitely precious. Living each day to the fullest is what I strive to do daily.
ReplyDelete