The birthing experience I was involved in was for an extended family member overseas. She had a fairly normal pregnancy up until her 37th week and she developed toxemia. From this point on she had to be hospitalized. At 38 weeks the doctors decided to take the baby by caesarian section. She asked me to sit with her during the procedure. I wasn't sure if I could handle seeing someone having surgery. I agreed to it knowing if I didn't she would stress out and cause her blood pressure to rise even higher than it already was. Having never been in the operating room or such a procedure I couldn't image that she would be awake during the c-section. To my amazement she was sedated from the rib cage down. She never felt a thing until they pulled the baby out. Needless to say I was the kid with their mouth wide open in Ah! Thanks to modern medicine and technology the baby was born with no complications. They monitored the baby for the first 24 hours and then released the both of them within 72 hours after delivery. I have to say this was the most amazing thing to have witnessed.
Since my experience took place in Korea I reviewed their procedures on birthing. Some of the differences are the doctors are not used to taking instructions from the patient, explaining what is going to happen or answer any questions (Korea, 2011). Korean fathers are not traditionally present during delivery like they are with American births. Korean hospitals are being more aware of foreign customs with delivery procedures and automatically assume that is what foreign patients want (Korea, 2011). If parents want something different then have to voice their desires to the doctor and hospital. The big difference between the two countries is that it is common for Korean for women to restrict their movement for two weeks after the deliver, often checking into a "maternity hotels" for one to two months (Korea, 2011). This is one custom that I won't mind sharing. However, when does the father have the opportunity to start bonding with the baby, if the mother has the child for the first two months alone?
I am thankful that we are afforded the opportunity to have our children in a hospital in privacy with appropriate family members present during the delivery.
Having a baby in Korea – giving birth. Published 2011. Retrieved from
http://www.korea4expats.com/article-giving-birth-in-korea.html on March 1, 2012.
I also looked into birthing practices in Korea. My nephew is adopted from Korea, so I was curious to see the similarities/differences. I was intrigued by the concept of maternity hotels. What a novel idea. But, I do see the flaw regarding the father and his time with the baby. Thanks for your insightful post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing information on Korea, I also read Rene's post about her adorable nephew who was born in Korea. I think the maternity hospitals do sound like an interesting idea, however I do see that eliminates the early bonding experiences between father and baby.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was a preemie, and one of the things that they encouratge my husband and I to do was "kangaroo care". Kangaroo care consisted of my daughter being placed on our bare chest in just a diaper. Studies show that it helps premature babies gain weight, maintain body temperature, and encourage parent/child bonding. For more information: http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/inthenicu_kangaroocare.html
Thanks again for sharing!
I also am intrigued by the maternity hotels! :) It would have been wonderful in so many ways, and horrible in others. To not have to worry about any other children would be wonderful, but I would need the daddy time with me and baby.
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