The birth of my first son is not a story many people will want to hear. I would love to tell you it was a wonderful and uneventful experience, but it was not. My son went past his due date and due to his expected size, my doctor insisted that he induce labor. After 12 hours of intense labor I was finally dialated to 10 and could not deliver. The doctor told my family he was not sure I would survive and a C-section could not be preformed. After 4 more hours passed, I finally delivered a 9lb 13 oz happy and healthy baby boy. There are many other details, but I will not be sharing those. It is true that one forgets the pain after the child is born. I would absolutely do it all over again! I chose to share about this experience because I will never forget the happiness I felt after the delivery was over. Once you hold the precious baby in your arms nothing else matters.
After doing some research about childbirth in other places, Cambodia sparked my interest. In Cambodia after a woman delivers a baby she is not allowed to breastfeed the baby for 1-2 months, therfore someone else does it for her. Also, after a woman delivers a baby she is placed on a bed with a fire burning underneath the bed. This is called "roasting" and the fire is supposed to heat up the body and prevent illnesses after the postpartum period. This process takes about a week.Cambodian women also sit on a hot rock each morning after delivering. Sitting on a hot rock is suppose to keep the uterus from coming out. Most Cambodians deliver at home using a midwife. These practices are much different than the ones we practice in the United States.
I'm sorry that you had such a poor birth experience, I always hate hearing that. I don't really understand the whole making the mother wait 1-2 months to breastfeed, how does she maintain a milk supply?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea about the milk supply. There were several things I wondered about that whole process.
DeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful it is to have you with us today when the doctor didn't know if you would survive the birth! I am thankful that both you and baby were ok. I agree that it is the most amazing thing holding that little one. All the pain goes away almost instantly for that first little while. I understand when you say that nothing else matters!
It is amazing what some of the women in more underdeveloped countries go through after childbirth. The things you listed about mothers in Cambodia are amazing. Sitting on a hot rock will keep your uterus from falling out?! Wow! I didn't sit on a hot rock and I'm pretty sure everything is where its supposed to be. :)
Amanda
Amy,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your experience. I have never had this experience before and I am enjoying reading everyone's blogs. I wonder if not breast feeding immediately and sitting on a hot rock have any religious meaning.
Thanks! Chrisina