Birth Story

This weeks assignment is to talk about a personal birth story. I struggled with this all week, as I don't have a personal birthing story. I am a single, 30-something, with a younger sister who has chosen to not have children, and a group of friends that chose to be alone during their very personal birthing experiences. Luckily, this weekend I was able to spend time with my mom and dad out of town, and they were able to talk with me about a birthing story they know quite well; My own!

Almost exactly 31 years ago (my birthday is Tuesday), my parents were preparing to welcome their first child into the world. My mother, an avid reader, had read books, taken classes, and had developed an excellent relationship with her doctor. On the morning of my birth my mother prepared herself by relaxing, staying calm, and practicing the techniques she had read so much about.  My father, who was very ready to become a daddy, was not allowed to be present in the delivery room. My mom chose to have an all natural birth, and did not accept medicine. She said it's the best decision she's every made. I was born at 8:29am on January 14th, 1983 after several hours of natural labor. When my dad was finally brought into the room, he asked the doctor, "Can I touch her?" The doctor replied, "well, yes, she's yours  now!"

Both of my parents mark this as a defining moment in their lives, and I would have to agree, as it obviously had an impact on my existence. I believe that my mothers choices to have a natural birth, to breast feed me, and to raise me in an environment with love and a close family was integral to my early development, and has helped me to become the person I am today.

Many less developed cultures view childbirth in a similar manner as my mother; natural. I did some research on different birthing experiences all over the world, and found an interesting article on South Africa (http://www.spiritualbirth.net/birth-in-south-africa-indigenous-traditions). "Unlike our attitude in the western world where women are offered pain relief at the slightest twinge that labour may have begun, a young !Kung woman is actively taught that she must face the pains of natural childbirth with courage and fearlessness" (2011). My mother viewed the prospect of her first birthing experience in the same way as a !Kung woman, and I am glad that she did!

Reference

Littlejohn, M. (2011, January).  Birth in South Africa: Indigenous traditions. Spiritualbirth.net. Retrieved January 11, 2013 from http://www.spiritualbirth.net/birth-in-south-africa-indigenous-traditions