Childbirth––In Your Life and Around the World

Childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as either one.

GLORIA STEINEM

Twenty years ago, I got to experience childbirth at an very early age. On a hot day in June 1991, my first born entered into this world. The baby was wrinkle, pail and screaming to the top of his lungs. Those are all things I remember about my childbirth. But I will never forget that I placed my left hand in my baby hand and the infant squeezed so tight that as if he know I was his mom and he did not  let go. I will never forget the first actual touch to my child after a c-section. I always wanted to have natural birth, but due to health issues I can not. I try to tell everyone that the first touch of your child is a moment that you will never forget.

It was like he was waiting to grab my finger and hold onto it. I was nervous, scared and sick all at the same time, but I got through it. I only had the support system of my mom. Over the last eight years I have gotten to experience childbirth up close and personal. The experience is life changing to see the action thing happening. I have also gotten to see what my mom did not see when I had my son, I have also been the the operating room to  see a c-section performed which will knock you off your feet if you have can't take it.  I used what I had learned from my experience of childbirth to help someone else experience better. I have a coworker who did not have anyone, so I was her support person.


I always wanted to know how Japanese childbirth were doctors are addressed as "Sensei" in Japanese. You have the choice to have a natural birth, water birth and a C-section is only given in case of severe health circumstance. In Japan there is may hospitals to choose from. 


Doctors  favor very "natural" pregnancy and childbirth. They do not prescribe prenatal vitamins of any kind, but encourage the mother to eat healthy, walk if it is possible and be active in general if there is no problem with the pregnancy. And they also advise you to control your weight - more than 10-12 kilos over your normal weight before pregnancy is considered too much as they fear complications before and during birth. So, limit your calorie intake and try to eat as many foods containing calcium and iron as possible. Do not expect epidurals or some other anesthetics during childbirth. Cesarean is also very limited. About the father's presence during birth - some hospitals OK it, but some do not.