I have always wanted to have children and was told it would be very hard for me to do this. A couple of years went by and out of no where I found out I was almost three months pregnant. I now have a healthy, energetic 14 month old. I went into the hospital to be induced on a Monday morning at 3a.m. Things were progressing very slowly. I was surrounded by my boyfriend, parents and step parents and my boyfriends mom. On Tuesday morning I finally reached 4 cm and they broke my water bag. Shortly after things progressed rather quickly. I began to feel every contraction and lasted a good while before asking for an epidural. I pushed for about an hour or so before they realized he wasn't going any further so I had to have a c-section. I was so tired I was falling asleep in between pushes. I had not had anything to eat since Sunday night and I had not slept. I was exhausted. After he was born I started feeling every pull they made on me so they gave me some medicine that knocked me out. For the first few hours of his life I was in out and can't remember much. I have to rely on pictures and stories. My little Ethyn is the best thing that ever happened to me. I call him my miracle baby!!
As for birthing in Japan, things go a little different. Minimal noise and expressions are accepted. Loud expressions are considered to be shameful. Mothers are expected to deal with pain in a stoic manner. I mentioned I had my boyfriend and father there and in Japanese tradition men/significant others are not to be present except male doctors. In the US breastfeeding is optional, where as the Japanese consider breastfeeding a priority the day after birth. In the japanese tradition mother and baby are not allowed to leave the house for 2-4 weeks. The Japanese also have a few traditional ceremonies after the birth of a baby that we in the US don't have.
Oshichia- a ceremony when the baby turns 7 days. This when the parents officially names the baby.
Hesono O- when the babies cord dries up and falls off, it is put inside a special wooden box and kept indefinitely.
Hyakunichimairi- a ceremony when the baby turns 100 days old. Baby, mom and grandmother all dress in the finest clothes then visits family and then returns home to a celebration that includes friends, family and a lot of food.
Resource
http://www.halocc.hawaii.edu/nursing/RNJapanese03.html
I enjoyed reading about the birthing experiences in Japan. There are so many differences from what freedom we have in the U.S. opposed to other countries. It would be unimaginable to have so many stipulations on how you express yourself and how you deal with pain. I find myself very fortunate to have the acceptance and freedom that is offered to us. Thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed and learned a lot reading your post. I learned also that breastfeeding is very important in this culture. I feel that children can bond with their mothers when this occurs. Some people believe that breast feeding is a great way for children to be healthier because of the chemicals in the milk provided in breast milk.
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