Dyer D.

I choose my youngest daughter because it was so different from when I had my first son, who was born in the 80^, the hospital stay was about a week, but when I had my daughter in the 97 the stay was two days. I remember being in the birthing room that included a hot tub that was very helpful keeping me relax throughout my labor pains. It was very relaxing until the time of delivery, I remember giving birth in the same room then moving to a single room, where my daughter stayed until we went home. I can compare the differences in my own birthing experiences, in the 80 my family members stayed in the waiting room until my son was born. In the 90 to the present time, dads and one other family member is allowed in the birthing room. As I look back I remember with my first child I ate anything  I wanted and stayed at home a lot, when I delivered my son it was in an operation room, and I shared a room with two other moms, while he was in the nursery.

 With my daughter I watch what I ate and worked until she was born, I remember singing and talking to her while rubbing my stomach I knew I had to eat healthy and be active to help with her development.

 I know the way a women takes care of herself while she is pregnant makes a big difference with her child’s development, if the mother is not eating right or is using some type of drugs or alcohol the child is subjected to different birth defects such as low birth weight, mental or physical delays even addicted to the drugs that was passed on to them through their mother’s. There is nothing like giving birth knowing that you have helped this little person develop while you are pregnant.

When I read about childbirth in India I learned that being pregnant, there is no need for a doctor visit only if there is a problem, women are isolated when giving birth they can choose to lay on a bed or squat on the floor or over a stool. Deliveries are done at home. After the child is born the placenta is burred in the court yard or under the house where the child was born this is done to keep evil spirit and enemy from taking and influencing the well-being and longevity of the child.  While pregnant women are encourage to eat cold foods it is said to help avoid miscarriages they can eat hot foods in the last stage of pregnancy because it is said it helps with labor.  They have a special diet after giving birth, women that live in low socioeconomic class work until delivery, while women that are well off have help from their family and does not have to work. After delivery breast feeding is delayed. And rituals aimed at warding off the evil eye. Doing these customs help ensure the provision of appropriate care that facilitates Integration of traditional and western practices.

J.Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs.1997 Sept.-Oct.26(5):533-9.