I gave birth to my son Daniel a little over four years ago. He was nearly two months early, but he came out 6lbs 6oz. I had him at a hospital and did receive an epidural and Episiotomy. I remember how happy I was going into labor, but I soon changed my mind a few hours later when the contractions began unbearable! I remember how many friends and family were there for me, and I remember how excited my parents were in becoming grandparents. Ten hours later, I gave birth to my son. I cried as soon as they put him in my arms. I didn’t realize it until my husband told me later. My overall birthing experience was amazing and one I will never forgot.
I chose to learn more about the birthing experiences of South Koreans because we are stationed here. The women are encouraged to push as much as they can to avoid an episiotomy. Birthing pools are also common in every hospital if the mother chooses to use one. Surprisingly C-sections are very high here. Nurses keep the babies for 24 hours. I assume this is so the parents can re-coop from the delivery. I wish I had this opportunity. I was handed my son as soon as they cleaned him up. I was so exhausted from not sleeping two days. There is also little communication between the doctor and patient here. There is no privacy here which I have personally experienced. Women have no shame walking around without clothes. They have maternity hotels here for women to go to after they give birth so they can rest. I love this idea! The women eat a lot of seaweed soup after delivery. I think that when a mother gives birth the joy is the same all across the world!
I agree maternity hotels sound great! I too rememeber being totally exhausted when they handed me my daughter. I was sooo nervous that I would drop her. Those are adorable pictures of Daniel! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to hold my daughter until about 4 hours until she was born. I was a nervous wreck. I just wish there was a motherhood hotel where I could crash for a couple of hours and have someone safe take care of the kids for me. Wouldn't that be awesome!
ReplyDeleteStacey,
ReplyDeleteMaternity Hotel!!!!!!!!! Wow, sounds good. I too was nervous during the birth of my son because I didn't know what to expect. I had a cesarean section with my son. My blood pressure was very high and my body was going into shock. It seem just like yesterday (tear). The picture of your son is very handsome.
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteGermany also has the maternity hotels that mothers can go to just before and after birth. I am half german and lived there for five years. My family in Germany were horrified that a mother given a c-section would be released after just two days! They stay at least a week with a c-section in the hospital. I think longer stays after a c-section would not be a bad idea and like the idea of the maternnity hotel. Your son is beautiful!
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching story! I also read your profile info and you are a military widow! How sad!!! I take it that you are remarried now from the info! How awesome to find someone again! Stationed in Korea!! Please upload pictures when you can! Your pictures are just beautiful! How smart of you to use this time to work on another degree!! You can do it!! I thought it was funny how the women walk around nude and it doesn't seem to bother them. Well while I was in Kazakhstan, the womean acted the same way! They all went to the river for a "group" bath! It did not phase them one bit! I had to leave! lol
Hi Stacey,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your personal experience... and your son is adorable! Maternity hotels are an interesting idea, going through childbirth is exhausting and it would be nice to have the time and space to recuperate. It is great that there is so much attention given to mothers there! I also thought that it was interesting that the nurses care for the baby for the first 24 hours...I was handed my son almost immediately and he stayed by my side until we were released! Although I was nervous to care for him and exhausted, holding him right away made everything so worth it!
Interesting about the Korean nudists. After each of my three childbirth experiences, I still maintained some modesty, even though there seem to be so many strangers present in the delivery room during a semi-nude, not-so-pretty process. The sight of my post pregnancy and delivery body was discouraging, too. I remember a housekeeping staff advising me not to step on the scale at the end of the hall the day after my first daughter was born. ("I wouldn't do that just yet, Honey.")
ReplyDelete