At 7 1/2 months, she was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a disorder which can cause high blood pressure, and can be fatal to both the mother and baby. My sister was hospitalized to keep an eye on her and Alec's (my soon to be nephew) blood pressure. The doctors chose to induce her, however, she only dilated 3 cm... in 3 days. The tried to put a balloon in her uterus-this sounded oddly weird so I looked it up- foley bulb induction is another option to help induce labor- but it didn't work. She was scheduled for a c-section 5 days later. They talked to her about what to expect from the operation; she would receive a spinal tap (to numb her from the chest down); they would make an incision, horizontally, in her lower abdomen and cut the lining of the uterus to expose Alec; finally they would then press on her stomach to help push him out and then pull him out. In total, my sister was in labor for 5 days: natural labor for 1 1/2 days and medicine induced labor for 3 1/2 days.
Throughout those five days, I stayed in the hospital with my sister, only leaving to get us food or to go to school (which was only 3-4 blocks away). Of course other family members came to visit, but I stuck out the overnights. My mother however, was in the room with my sister during the surgery. I remember her all dressed in the booties, mask and outfit. This is really the only experience I had with birthing. My birth was a complicated one for my mother as well, I was delivered through an emergency C-section because I was drowning in my mother's blood. My other sisters last pregnancy, she developed gestational diabetes. I fear for the complications that may arise when I do become pregnant.
Child Birth in the Philippines
https://brookes.com.au/giving-birth-in-philippines-a-fathers-experience-ae17d2b56064
In this article, Phillip Brooks discusses his experience with the birthing procedures in the Philippines. Birthing is a little different there; the fathers are not allowed to be part of the experience and, unless you were fortunate enough to have the money to give birth in a hospital, you would go to a "lying-in" or a paanakan where a midwife (of sorts) would help you through you labor. According to Brooks, they were responsible for providing all materials for the birth (bedding, pillows, food, fan etc.).
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experiences and thank God all is well with your sisters and you. You've witnessed the not so pleasant side of pregnancy and child birth and to have concerns about your own experiences is understandable. I hope you can take from it the positives; you and your sisters overcame the hurdles.
It is interesting to learn that in the Philippines fathers are not allowed to take part in the birth of their children. It's hard to comprehend how anyone can justify having a parent miss out on such a momentous occasion.
Hi Amy!
ReplyDeleteWow I really enjoyed reading your post. I would like to say your a a trooper and it is inspiring to hear your story. Family is so important and you being there every step of the way is amazing.
Thanks for sharing how birthing works in the Philippines. It was interesting to read that fathers are not included the experience and that low income families are to give birth at a lying in. It makes you think about how much other counties and their way of birthing as well. Some counties are not so fortunate to have the things that the US has but it makes me want to help those counties in some form, but how?
Hey Amy! Thanks for sharing. It always so amazing to hear about other peoples birth stories. Your sister and I both had preeclampsia although mine was undiscovered until I went in to labor. It is always so miraculous the struggle of childbirth. Its even more amazing to have a wonderful support system. I am glad you were able to be there for your sister. I was lucky enough to be a part of my sister in laws c-section and it is unbelievable what women can endure. It was also interesting to hear about birth in the Philippines. It seems like no matter where birth occurs around the world women seem to have some kind of help from a midwife or attendant regardless if they are skilled or unskilled. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete-Allison Giles
Hi Amy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your sisters birth story! It is always so interesting to hear about different birth stories, and learn that each one is unique in their own way. Your sisters experience sounds very tiring and stressful. I can imagine why you feel worried for when you become pregnant as you have only been exposed to very difficult deliveries.
I find it very interesting that in the Philippines the father is not allowed to be involved in the birth. After this weeks reading, I learned how important it is to have the father involved in the pregnancy as well as the birth to help calm the mother. It is amazing how different birthing stories are in different parts of the world.
Thank you for sharing !
Brianna
There have been several mentions of preclamsia. I wonder in other countries that practice childbirth outside of the hospital or at home how this type of thing is monitored. It may be that the diets or lifestyles lessen the risk and sometimes I accredit the grace and mercy to the success of those births. What do you think?
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