Birthing Experiences

The birthing experience that I chose to write about is the birth of my sister's daughter, Lexi.  When my sister found out she was pregnant everyone was nervous but very excited!! When the time came for my sister's labor and delivery my family was there to support her.  My sister had a very hard time during labor, she had some complications and the labor lasted more than 24 hours.  While my sister was in labor, she had very good medical care, the doctors and nurses were so nice and caring.  They helped keep my sister calm and assured her everything was going to be ok.  Finally after a hard and long labor process my sister gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Lexi.  After the birth, the nurses and doctors helped my sister in every way the best way and made sure that both baby and mom were doing well.  I do not have any children of my own, so this is the only birthing experience that I have ever been a part of.  It is an event that I will always remember, it was stressful and worrysome, but it was also exciting and wonderful.  This Thursday my niece will be 2 years old.  She is healthy and happy and mom is as well.

However, in South Africa the birthing experience most of the time is nothing like the experience that I just described.  The pregnant women who come to the hospitals because they are in labor, sometimes are abused physically and verbally.  Some women are even turned away and reprimanded because they are accused of lying.  The women that are commited to the hospitals are pinched, slapped, and handled roughly during labor and at times the nurses ignore calls for help.  After the birth, women and their babies are ignored for long periods of time.  Many times, the mothers are sent home with no pain medication and no care products. I am so glad that  my sister did not have this kind of birthing experience.  There are organizations working to change the way births happen in South Africa.  I hope one day all women will be able to experience the birth of their children in a way that will allow them to cherish this special time. 

Nordqvist, Christian. (2011, August 8). The Shocking Truth About Giving Birth in South Africa. Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232413.php