The birth experience I have chosen to write about is the birth of my youngest son. We had a difficult time getting pregnant, and then staying pregnant, so it was a joyous time in our household! I remember telling my husband to leave the plastic on the brand new mattress we bought when I was about 8 months pregnant. He looked at me strangely, but decided to humor me! Good thing, as my water broke in the bed about 3 weeks later! Must have been a pregnancy premonition. This happened about 3:00am, and by 5:00am, we were at the hospital.
It went pretty smoothly for a few hours, but my contractions were very slow. They gave me Pitocin three times to increase my contractions, and by that time, I scarcely had time to take a breath in between them! I dilated, effaced, and moved along according to plan until pushing time came! My son (and we didn't know the sex of the child)was definitely strong willed, and had decided he needed to see where he was going! The doctor would push his head back down and he would pop it right back up. After a couple off hours of that, I was informed I would be having a C-section. Well, I became a little panicked because when we had gone to childbirth classes; on the C-section day, the nurse giving the class was sick. My husband also tried not to come with me, but I was adamant that if he could gut a deer, he could certainly come with me! So, he did, and I received a spinal anesthetic and was totally awake during the procedure. However, intervention is not always best for the mother and child. In general, cesareans are easier on the fetus, and quicker for the doctor and the mother, but can increase the rate of birth complications in later pregnancies. (Berger, 2009).
My husband was giving me a play by play and my son was born shortly afterward. He looked huge to me! The doctors were joking about his size and said that he must weigh 10 or 11 lbs. My OB said he could not pick up a 10 lb. baby with one hand! So, his father took him to the nursery with the promise he would come right back and tell the doctors what his exact weight was. His official weight was 9lbs, 8.5 oz. He looked like a 3 month old baby to me!
I chose this example because it is still so clear in my mind, and it happened 26 years ago!
My thoughts regarding birth and child development are that I believe certain characteristics are evident from the very beginning! And long lasting too. He was strong willed (stubborn) at birth and that characteristic has served him well for the past 26 years too. I am sure it is with him to stay!
References:
Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Hello Deb,
ReplyDeleteThere is something about boys!! My son was to happy where is was. He was really late coming and protested like crazy when he came into the world. He is still the same way, loud and wanting to stay put when he is happy. What a joy they are.
Thank you for sharing your birthing experience. I love to hear happy stories. My biggest baby weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces and my smallest baby was 5 pounds 8 ounces. I am sure your baby did look like a 3 month old. Thanks again for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJosie Zbaeren
Hello Deb,
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying reading your birth experience. Whenever I saw my only child supposed do something but seemed tardiness, it reminder me the moment of her birth. Even after 24 years, she still has the characteristic of tardiness. We could do some research on the assume that "characteristics are evident from the very beginning! And long lasting too."
WOW!! I am amazed at most birthing stories, since I have not experienced it myself. Thanks for sharing such an intimate piece of your life. Your migraines, where they related to postpartum depression?
ReplyDeleteNo postpartum depression! I was thrilled! He and his brother are 7 yrs apart! We waited a long time!
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