Public Health Topic Breastfeeding

     The public health topic I chose to write about this week is breastfeeding.  I breastfeed both of my children for over a year.  This topic is meaningful to me because of the special bond I developed with each of my children during this time.  There is something very powerful about feeding and providing that nourishment for your child.  It was not always easy or comfortable but I feel blessed to have been able to provide this nourishment for my babies. 

     I looked at Ghana and how they look and feel about breastfeeding.  Ghana is a very conservative.  It is not okay to walk around in a top that shows cleavage but it is okay and expected that you nurse your baby if the need arises.  It does not matter where you are you are expected to nurse your baby.  In fact, if you do not nurse your baby and they are crying people start to think you have stolen the baby.  People are so use to seeing nursing babies that they do not think it is strange or offensive.  In fact nursing a baby is highly encouraged.  This is quite the opposite from what we see her in the United States.  People do become offended and there have even been places that band mothers from nursing their babies.  One Ghanaian woman pointed out if you grow up thinking it is normal you will not be offended by it.

“A study done in a rural area of Ghana evaluated the time of first breastfeeding after birth. Breastfeeding was initiated within the first 24 hrs after birth in 71% of infants. The later the start of breastfeeding the greater the risk of neonatal death. Infants given any food or fluids before breastfeeding was established on day 1 of life also had higher risk of neonatal mortality. The authors estimated that 22% of neonatal deaths after 1 day of age could be prevented by starting breastfeeding within 1 hr of birth” (Edmond, 2006 ).

Wow, that is an amazing statistic! 

Edmond KM, Zandoh C, Quigley MA, Amenga-Etego S, Owusu-Agyei S, and Kirkwood BR. Delayed breastfeeding initiation increases risk of neonatal mortality. Pediatrics. 2006: 117(3); e380 Accessed 1/16/14.

Birthing in the Netherlands

In an article in American Baby the author speaks of different birthing experiences her and her friends have had around the world.  She speaks of her experience in the Netherlands.  Women there rarely see a doctor.  They see a midwife for prenatal care and by law a midwife must be at every birth even when a doctor is present.  Women decide if they will have the birth at home or a hospital.  All women must pick up a kit with all the medical supplies needed for a home birth regardless if they have decide to have the baby at a hospital.  The kit is called a Kraampakket.  If they have a baby at the hospital and everything went well they usually and go home within two hours.  After birth a nurse comes the the home for seven days and provides medical care as well as cooking, cleaning, and helping with parenting instructions.  She is also responsible for making the traditional snack for when visitors come to see the baby.  This is all covered by there insurance.

In many ways this is different from the traditional American experience.  We mostly see doctors and deliver in hospitals.  I like how they support the mother and family after the birth.  One thing that was common in many of the birthing stories that I read is the support from family and friends.  It seems to be universal to rally and celebrate the birth of a child.  And it should be they are such miracles!
Below is the link to the article that I was referring to above.


http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/?page=2

Birthing Experience

     In my Early Childhood class, I was asked to write about a personal birthing experience.  I have been blessed to have a few experiences so it was hard to choose.  I considered writing about my own.  I have given birth twice and the experience was unbelievable, intense, and something I will hold dear to my heart forever.  I felt to write about these two experiences I would probably have to write a book as there are so many details and emotions felt during this time.  For know I will keep these memories in my heart.

My first birthing experience was the birth of my first niece.  As long as I could remember I wanted to be an Aunt.  I have a great relationship with my Aunts and was excited to try on this role.  My sister – in – law was gracious and excited to share this event with me and the rest of the family.  We got the call she had gone to the hospital and all day were getting updates.  After work, my husband and I headed down to the hospital.  By the time we got there, things were really moving along.  I have never been good at visiting people in the hospital.  In fact, I have become the patient twice while visiting my sister after surgery and then visiting a sick friend in the hospital.  I ended up passing out.  I do not like to see people hurting and in pain.  Well let me tell you the delivery room is not free of people in pain!  My mother – in –law thought it would be special if I could hold the focal point card for my sister-in-law.  All I had to do is stand there holding the beautiful prayer card well my sister-in-law breathed through her contractions.  However, as I had said the delivery room is not free of pain and she was in a lot of pain.  To make things even better my husband her brother thought that the machine that told when a contraction was coming and measured how big it was very interesting.  He stood there telling her you are about to start one and this is a big one.  She had had enough of him and snapped at him I will tell you when I am having one and how big it is!  We laugh about it now.  

I am not feeling well but how can I tell a laboring women I am really not up for holding your focal point anymore?  It was not much later that the doctor came in and said she was ready to start pushing.  I was off the hook as we ended going down to the waiting room.  My poor sister–in-law pushed for three hours.  After three hours of pushing, they took her for a C-section.  We got to go down and meet and hold our beautiful little niece.