The Miracle of Birth

This is a sensitive subject for me.  I was never able to have children and a failed adoption of a brother and sister fell through leaving me with mixed emotions and a broken heart.  As I progress in age, I have found peace through my work with children and families and as an aunt and great aunt. 

In reminiscing about children that I am close to and their births, the one that I remember most is that of my youngest sister.  There is ten years difference in our ages.  It is of memorable essence to me because it was a time of stress and great joy.  This baby was another “meant to be” as I was, which is my mother’s reference to not being a planned pregnancy.  For some reason I recall it as a time of great excitement.  There were already six girls and we were hoping for boy.  However, my mother would tell us that it didn’t matter if it was a girl or a boy, only that it had ten toes, ten fingers, and was healthy.  Because my parents were happy about the upcoming event, we were also.  The stress was fear for my mother.  As I look back, I did not really understand everything that was happening, I only knew that mom had to spend a long time in the hospital and that my father and older sisters took care to make sure my needs were met.  Because of that unselfish care, I did not really understand the ramifications of someone having toxemia (now it is called preeclampsia).  This condition can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood. If the placenta doesn't get enough blood, the baby gets less oxygen and food. This can result in low birth weight. When my sister, Shawna, finally arrived it was thrilling news that both mom and baby were fine.  Shawna was born at four pounds and six ounces.  There would be another long wait before we could meet our new baby sister as the doctor would not release her to come home until she weighed at least five pounds.  I remember seeing her for the first time.  It seemed surreal as she was so small.  I was amazed as we could hardly fold a diaper small enough for her and the baby apparel we had was too big.  My mom had to make special clothes that would fit her.  Needless to say, she was special to us and we doted on her.  I now understand why she was the “apple in my father’s eye”. 

Childbirth in the Netherlands:

Pregnant mothers do not see an obstetrician, but are referred to a midwife by the family doctor.  Physicians only intervene when the pregnancy is deemed “high risk” or if there are delivery complications.  They have the choice of having their baby at home or in a hospital.  If the choice is home birth, then it is the expectant mother’s responsibility to supply their own “kraampakket” (necessary medical supplies).  Natural birth is the choice of the majority of Dutch women.  Epidurals are only given if it is “convenient for the anesthesiologist”.  If the birth transpires early in the day without complications, the mother and new baby may go home within two hours.  Once home, there is kraamhulp (maternity home care for seven days) which is paid by insurance.  At this time a nurse comes to the home and provides medical services as well as cooking and cleaning the home.  For more information about childbirth in the Netherlands and other countries, visit the following site:  http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/?page=2

As I read about the current birthing methods in the Netherlands I recognized that my mother and my sister would probably not have a good chance at survival there.  The similarities are, there are Americans who have home birth and a midwife to assist with the birthing. Also a hospital is available if there are any complications in the US and in the Netherlands. The differences are they can only have an epidural during certain hours in the Netherlands, while here in the US an epidural is available at any time. Another difference is that insurance in the Netherlands pays for a nurse to provide medical, cleaning, cooking, and other services for the mother and the family for seven days, while here in the US this service is not provided. In the Netherlands a mother can be sent home two hours after the birth if there are no complications, while in the US they are sent home after two to three days if there are no complications.