My Personal Birth Experience

I chose to share my experience of giving birth to my daughter. In my native county Sri Lanka giving birth is a very private affair and so I have not participated in any birth experiences other than my own. After 7 years of marriage and many life experiences in between, my husband and I were very excited when we found out we were going to be parents. We immediately shared the news with our parents and siblings. It was decided as was the norm in Sri Lanka not to share the news with others until the end of the first trimester. I faced some emotional stresses during this time. Both my maternal grandparents who I had been very close to growing up passed away within three months of each other. My family tried to shield me from it as much as possible but I was devastated. It was difficult for me to deal with because I was half way around the world from them. My family kept telling me that I shouldn’t be upset because it would affect the baby. 

Regardless, I was blessed to have a relatively easy pregnancy without any complications. Morning sickness hit me towards the end of the first trimester. Unlike its name, I was sick every night for the next 6 weeks or so. My doctor offered me medication while both my mother and mother-in-law had many suggestions as to what I should eat and what I should avoid and other words of advice. Desperate to feel better I tried every suggestion.  Towards the end of my pregnancy we were advised to attend birthing classes as well as take a tour of the hospital. Some of my anxiety about the actual birth process was relieved through the hospital tour as a result of knowing what to expect once I was at there. I worked right up until 2 days before giving birth. I was a toddler teacher at the time. My daughter was born at 38 weeks, the day after we finished our final birthing class. My water broke in the early hours of the morning and I gave birth less than 9 hours later. I had made a birthing plan in advance, making it clear to my husband and doctors as to what I wanted. I had already decided I would opt for an epidural. At the final stages of the delivery, things weren’t going as planned and my doctor mentioned that I might have to go in for an emergency c-section. I was determined not to let it happen and fortunately was able to deliver my daughter vaginally before long. My mother had planned on being present for the birth and was flying in later that week. However, since I went into labor earlier than expected it was just me and my husband in the delivery room. As soon as the baby was born she was placed in my arms. It was the most amazing feeling! We were surprised at how tiny she was. The hospital scale weighed her at 4lbs 13 oz. My husband and I were worried. The doctors reassured us that despite her size she was otherwise healthy. Later that same day she weighed 5 lbs 9 oz. The hospital apologized that the scale in the labor room hadn’t been properly calibrated. I now realize that she could have been termed a Low Birth Weight infant based on the initial weight reading.

I had what I consider a relatively easy and uncomplicated pregnancy and birth experience. I look at my 2 ½ year old daughter and marvel as to what an amazing little girl she has developed into from the tiny little thing that was placed in my arms at the hospital several years ago. Looking back, I think the nature of my pregnancy and the birth process itself has had a positive influence in my daughter’s development. I had a lot of support throughout my pregnancy from my husband as well as my family although they were far away. We had the opportunity to bond immediately after birth. I was encouraged to breastfeed immediately and she was in our care throughout the time we spent in the hospital versus in a nursery. These factors among many others have helped us to form a close bond with each other. This I believe has had a positive influence in her current emotional development which has contributed to her overall development. I realize that things might have turned out differently if I were to have needed an emergency c-section. My daughter might have had to deal with complications resulting from it. I believe that the nature of the pregnancy and the birth process does have an effect on development. I feel blessed!