Experience from Europe
Hi you all,
Me and my hubby are thinking of having a baby and we are doing little research on pregnancies and birth stories. Yesterday we found out about Rickis film abouth birth and I have to say that I am shocked about a state of US regadring this topic.
In Europe most of the women give births in hospitals, but completley naturaly with midwife. You see a doctor only if something goes wrong. There is a big tabu regarding epidural, so I could say that we are completley the other way from you all.
I am thinking about epidural and thats why I am doing research, because epidural is used here very rarely. Non of my girl friends have done it....they all did it naturally.
But I have had all last year a on going panic attacks, so I have t think hard in order for me and my future baby to be healthy.
Best wishes to you all!!!!!
Me and my hubby are thinking of having a baby and we are doing little research on pregnancies and birth stories. Yesterday we found out about Rickis film abouth birth and I have to say that I am shocked about a state of US regadring this topic.
In Europe most of the women give births in hospitals, but completley naturaly with midwife. You see a doctor only if something goes wrong. There is a big tabu regarding epidural, so I could say that we are completley the other way from you all.
I am thinking about epidural and thats why I am doing research, because epidural is used here very rarely. Non of my girl friends have done it....they all did it naturally.
But I have had all last year a on going panic attacks, so I have t think hard in order for me and my future baby to be healthy.
Best wishes to you all!!!!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rachel on -
I'm just curious..where are you from? How do women talk about the pain of birth there? I am really interested as I think one of our problems here in the US is our relationship to pain and how we view it. I think it's great your researching your options...that's what it should all be about. Rachel
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Permalink Reply by Bili on -
Hi Rachel,
I am from Slovenia (neighbour country to Italy and Croatia....).
We dont talk about giving a birth in that "pain" way. We are talking regarding what is the most natural and normal way of giving birth for mother and for baby. That is why we do not have so many epidurals, as they are saying that a lot of babies are then being born with a help of vacuum....possible complications...
My both grandmothers are still alive and one of them had 11 children and the other had 9 childer. They all gave birth at their home, alone, no midwifes....nothing....and all of my aunts and uncles are normal, succesfull people. So we all believe that womens body is "designed" to carry a baby and to give a birth and we shouldnt make out of that experience a mediacal procedure. In Slovenia, you can not have scheduled c-section, unless there is a medical health reason for it. A group of doctors, beside yours, will decide, if you need c-section or not. And it is really rare.
You are talking about mortality of babies...I dont remember if i have heard of maybe 2-3 babies in last 15 years, being born dead or died right after birth in Slovenia.
And another very important thing that my grandmothers told to me....lets say advices: when you feel that the proces of birthing had begun sit on a hot towel..it will help you open more easily, warm showers; move, move and move - walk.....; and for the last part of the birth, when you feel urge to push...go into sitting position, hold your self to something solid, and then push. They dont understand how a woman can give birth by lying in bed.
All of my girlfriends and the other women that I know, have given birth in hosptital, totally naturally, or in our meaning normally, with their housbant at their side and midwife. When you see a doctor during birthing process you know that there is something really wrong. Even when you have induced contractions, they dont give a women epidural.
When I was talking to a few friends and my mom that I am thinking about epidural...she told me why? Birthing a baby is a normal end of a carriing process, and why would I like to robb myself from that wonderful experience, of baby being put to your chest right after birth, and of knowing that you did your own birth. She sais that it is very empowering feeling at the end, and that she feels "sorry" for the man, that they do not have privilege to feel that, like we do. And my mom was under induced contractions for 12 hours with me.
And another thing. We also do not have a mesaument for "timing" a normal birth. If a women is not dialeted at least 4-5 cm, they wont accept you into the hospital.....unless they diagnose, that something is not ok while checking you.
Best to you all......:)
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Permalink Reply by Cherylyn on -
Thank you Bili! I really appreciate your perspective. I wish women everywhere were more like the women of Slovenia when it comes to birth.
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Permalink Reply by Carol Van Der Woude on -
Dear Bili,
Thank-you for sharing your family's experiences with childbirth. It sounds like you have supportive women around you. The way you describe birth agrees with the 6 healthy birth practices listed at www.lamaze.org
Trust your body and the good practices that are in place. I wish you the best!
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Lerner on -
That is so amazing to see a country where birth is viewed not as a disease but as a natural part of life. I once found research on infant mortalitly and the US ranked number 11 of 12 developed countries for highest infant mortallity. I will try to find the link and post it here. If the US had the same view of pregnancy and birth as Slovenia we could save so many lives and end unnecessary suffering. Thank you Bilinfor sharing all of this information.
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Permalink Reply by Bili on
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Yes, thats why I was so amazed that in USA you can schedule for c-section.
Here is all in natures hand, unless something goes terribly wrong. All of my friends were on their feet an hour or two after the birth, and they can already take care of their own babies.
Best wishes to you all!!!
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