The Birthing Experience of Sub-Saharan Africa.....

Teenage mothers who have tried to deliver their own babies at home often fail, resulting in a baby being lodged inside of them where most eventually die due to a loss oxygen and poor blood circulation.    Hundreds of thousands of girls have fistulas and the damage is often irreversible. In comparison with birthing in the United States, Sub-Saharan African countries have quite a long way to go in the advancement of medicine and medical treatment.

I never even considered trying to deliver my own baby. There was medical care provided each step of the way and as a result, I was able to be proactive in promoting good health in my baby. I am thankful for the many obstetricians that I had to choose from. I am blessed that I was afforded the opportunity to have my baby in an sterilized environment, reducing the chance of my baby being exposed to harmful bacteria and other hazardous risks.

After reading several articles about birthing in Sub-Saharan Africa, I can truly appreciate the United States and accessible healthcare, even as affordable healthcare is such a hot button topic.

Childbirth In Your Life and Around the World

I can remember it like it was yesterday. At 6:30 a.m. on 03/30/2005, I was rushed to the hospital. The baby was on their way. I endured a difficult labor from 7:00 a.m. on 03/30/05 until I had to have an emergency C-section at 3:30 a.m. the next day......Alas, Imani was delivered by way of cesarean section at 3:45 a.m. on 03/31/05, my everything! I remember the pain being so severe that I wanted to jump out of the window and smack everyone that I encountered on my way down! It was intense and excruciating! Nonetheless, once I saw her, the pain magically disappeared. Weighing in at a whopping 9lbs 13oz, 22 inches long, she was the beginning of a real love experience. My daughter means so much to me and I chose her birthing experience because giving her life was a pivotal moment in my life.  I believe that the birthing pattern that an infant follow is a precursor to their personality and the way they will do things throughout life.  My baby was stubborn and was born when she decided that it was time. Now at 7 years old, she is still stubborn and figures things out on her own time. Nonetheless, she always has perfect timing, whether I realize it or not.

My Supports

My Supports

My daughter and her paternal grandparents are my immediate support system. They assist me in baby-sitting so that I may attend work and other events that my daughter is unable to go.  Without them, I would have never been able to finish college or hold a steady job.  If anything ever happened to them, I would be distraught! This blog assignment has made me more appreciative of all that they do and help me with in my life.

My Connections to Play

Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.

Kay Redfield Jamison

People tend to forget that play is serious.

David Hockney

Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.

Joseph Chilton Pearce

My family supported me in my play by attending my exclusive, imaginary tea parties. They allowed me to take my children (baby dolls) along with me when we went outside and they helped me draw out my blueprints for the buildings that I wanted to construct using my legos.

Looking back over my life, I wish I would've played longer and enjoyed being a child.  As many children, I was in such a hurry to grow up!  I think a major problem that is faced by today's youth is that  often times, they are not afforded the luxury of choosing to enjoy their childhood.  Because of the many demands that society impose on advancement, children are being forced to grow up in record time.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because they to teach me about myself.  The older I get, seemingly, the wiser I become. The wiser I become, the more I realize that I attract who I am.  The word relationship is so broad in that it describes almost any interaction, ie. waiters/customers, parents/children, husband/wife, police officer/speed demon, etc.  As far as meaningful relationships go, I have two relationships that mean the most to me. My relationship with GOD is imperative to my well-being as is the relationship that I have with my child. What maintains my relationship with my 7-year-old daughter is open communication. If she were asked about the importance of communication, she would respond by saying that communication is the key to successful relationships. My daughter motivates me to be a better person. I am still a bit self-centered but I have learned to care for someone more than I care for myself. In many ways, my daughter has taught me to be humble, patient, responsible, reliable, sensitive and nurturing. While being a parent is such a rewarding experience, it an also be challenging. My baby and I overcome the challenges of our relationship by acknowledging that we have a partnership. This is my first time being her mommy and this is her first time being my baby. That being said, we learn through trial and error.  We keep what works and revamp what doesn't.  I believe that my parenting skills would definitely be a contributing factor to my career in early childhood education.  Armed with real-life experience in what it takes to understand children, teach them, love and nurture them, I will have an advantage over other early childhood professionals that rely solely on their academia degree to help them achieve success.

New Beginnings

Your life is a result of the choices you make... If you don't like your life it is time to start making better choices.  

-Unknown

I will not forget......