I have to be honest and tell you that this week has been very educational for me and also very trying. My husband and I are were not able to have children so over the years I have distanced myself from babies as a way of avoiding the sense of loss and sadness that comes with infertility. You might ask, why are you in this profession? I have always wanted to be a teacher. My passion is the world of three, four and five year olds. I love them. I hope my preschoolers will be my legacy. So, my experience with childbirth is no experience at all except my own birth and my parents did not videotape that event since no one did that in those days.
After the readings and video this week my eyes were really opened to how the prenatal period really has a profound affect on the health of the baby. I have a better understanding of some of my preschoolers when I look at the what their mothers' prenatal experiences were like.
I found an interesting link after watching the optional resource (PBS Nova: Life's Greatest Miracle).
The presentation is called "Two Worlds of Maternal Health". It was an interactive question and answer session comparing the birth experience for women in developing nations (North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan as defined by the United Nations) and all other regions. The following statistics were provided by Susan K. Lewis (2008): Women not living in developing nations face a significant risk dying from childbirth complications. It is the leading cause of death for women ages 15-49. In the U.S. a woman's chances of dying are 1 in 4,800. Many of the women in the poverty stricken areas are already suffering from malnutrition, anemia, and other infectious diseases. The research showed that if adequate nutrition and medical care were provided from early pregnancy through post delivery nearly 3/4 of all newborn deaths could be prevented. 28% of women in the sub-Sahara give birth by age 18. Their pelvises are small due to malnutrition or are not fully developed since the mothers are so young. They face a high risk of stillborn babies or birth injury. In developed nations, 99% of births are overseen by skilled personnel. Only 1 in 17 births in Ethiopia have a professional present and in even poorer areas 1 in 100 have a midwife or other professional present at birth. Most of these births take place in rural areas lacking clean water or sanitation. The World Health Organization concluded that education is the key to overcoming poverty and the low status of females, as well as the lack of understanding and access to reproductive health care.
Resource: Lewis, Susan. (2008). Two Worlds of Maternal Health. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/maternal-health.html
Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteI also struggled with infertilty. I was under the impression that infertility didn't exisit. I thought that if you wanted children it would just happen. I was in a dark place for a while. I am glad that you were able to move on from it and enjoy a career in early childhood.
Hi Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThe statistics that you presented are eye opening. The concept of childbirth regularly causing the death of the mother is foriegn to our North American society. I do agree that the lack of clean water, proper sanitation and reproductive health care are key components for WHO and developing countries to monitor and improve. As advocates for children's rights, it is important to include the prenatal period, as this period of development does have a profound effect on all future development.
Carolyn
You are so right, Carolyn. So many things we take for granted. Looking at how other areas struggle really put our discomforts in perspective.
DeleteSuzanne,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your deep and personal experience. I visited the link you provided and I was astounded that so many women worldwide suffer from death in childbirth! Very eye opening, and a reminder to look beyond myself and consider other places in the world.
Kristi
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne,
Delete(I am very sorry for removing my first post comment, but I wanted to add something else.)
After six years of marriage, my husband and I are having trouble to get pregnant, doctors say that physically everything is fine, so we pray for the opportunity to conceive. The same as you, I distanced myself from babies sometimes, because I feel sad for my situation, but I do my best to accept my reality, and working with preschoolers has been a good source of relief.
Talking about the information you got from the birth experience for women in developing nations, I found that the economic fact plays an important role again.
Caty,
DeleteKeep praying for that little miracle. I am glad that you have a clean bill of health. That is so important and you also have your age in your favor. I was late to marry and didn't start trying to get pregnant until I was 33.