So this is my second class I'm taking in my Master's program. This is week one, and what better way to start an Early Child Development class than to start with the birth experience; where the miracles and fun begins. I believe without an initial birth, there would be no early child development, the two go together like peanut butter and jelly :)
I do not have any children so I personally have never given birth, but I was able to experience and witness the birth of my cousin Harry. Harry was born February 16, 2006 in Hattiesburg, MS. Harry's Mom (Lynn) and I are first cousins. I remember Lynn being in a lot of pain and the nurses deciding to give her an epidural further along in the labor and this actually slowed down the labor tremendously. After Lynn received her epidural she was extremely drowsy and we had to wake her up each time she had a contraction so she could push. The labor was so long that one nurse on duty actually taught me how to read the monitor to know when a contraction was coming! Lynn was in labor for almost 12 hours, eventually her epidural began to wear off and she was better able to know when to push with more energy and strength because she was ready for the labor to be over with. I remember when I first saw the crown of Harry's head, I cried, but it was there I also decided I would NEVER have children because it just looks so painful. Lynn also had to have an episiotomy which further confirmed my decision to NOT have children.
It was an unbelievable experience to witness and a memory that will be with me forever. I choose this example simply because this was the only experience I'd ever been a part of regarding child birth besides my own birth which unfortunately I remember none of :) (Wouldn't it be great if we could remember what our own birth was like?)
Every pregnancy and delivery is different don't allow your preception of Harry's birth to determine that you don't want to have a child. If you were to ask just about any mother if they regret the experience they would say no. What they would do is make complaints about how they would make the situation go smoother. Unfortunately we can't control that. I must admit there is nothing like the miracle of child birth.
ReplyDeleteTasha- I think it's wonderful that you are so close to your cousin Lynn that you could share in Harry's birth. I agree with Kvonya, you shouldn't let Lynn's experience influence your decision to have children. It is worth all the pain, and you forget how much it hurts so quickly! Childbirth is a true miracle, but I am so glad we can't remember our own. I think it would be very traumatic and terrifying. I can't imagine what those first moments in a bright, cold world must be like for babies!
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