The birth of my two sons were very different. When I had my first son, I went into labor at 2:20 am. My water had broke at home, so they hooked the IV up and prepared me for delivery. I didn’t receive any medicine for pain. I was only 19 years old, so I was scared. They didn’t allow anyone to go into the delivery room with me, so I was alone other than the staff at the hospital. My mother was allowed to stay in the labor room with me until I was fully dilated. I was in labor from 2:20 am until 11:40 am when my son was born. My son was delivered by a midwife. My experience was okay. They kept me comfortable.
When I gave birth to my second son (11 years later), it was more soothing. I had my family with me the whole time. I went into labor at 8:00 pm. My water broke when I got o the hospital. The pain was not as intense with my second son as it was with my first. I had a natural childbirth (no meds). I chose not to have medicine because I wanted my baby to be fully alert when they arrived. I had been told that with the medication the baby will be a little drowsy. I did not fully dilate on my own so the doctor had to help with that. That was uncomfortable and i sort of made me mad, but he talked the whole time to take my mind off of it. During delivery, I talked with my family. My pastor; who is a very dear friend, kept making me laugh. I noticed she did that each time the monitor showed I was having a contraction. My OBGYN delivered my baby. When he was born, the doctor whistled a tune and then a lullaby started to play over the intercom. I was not moved to a delivery room. I remained in the same room from the time I got their until my son was born. He was cleaned up in the same room and I was able to hold him right away. My sister cut the cord. It’s funny how when you are having a baby you forget that everyone can see your goods. It doesn’t seem to matter. Maybe because it is a natural and joyous occasion.
Giving Birth in Ghana
Women in Ghana are able to choose if they want a traditional, modern, or religious childcare giver. It is mainly based on what their beliefs are. It depends upon who she trust the most. It has been said that the tradition and religious caregivers tell the women to pray so that they will have a protection over their pregnancy and their unborn child. They typically do not use any birth control because their family planning consists of them having as many children as they want. They do not attend the clinic for their checkups because being pregnant is not a disease and they don’t see any logical reason to go. This is not true for the entire population of Ghanasian women. Other factors such as work and poverty also play a part. Those who choose not to deliver in a hospital will find people that the trust to deliver the baby. These are mainly people that the family has used before. Women in the U.S. have choices. We can go to the hospital, stay home, and even have water births.
Fischer, M. (2002). Childbearing in Ghana: How beliefs affect care. SIT Graduate Institute/SIT Study Abroad. Retrieved from http://digitalcollections.sit.ed/cgi?article=
Angela
arltaylor 
Dear Angela,
I believe it is very comforting to have people whom you care about and who care about you with you when you are going through that much physical pain and so much joy at the same time. It makes it easier to tolerate the pain and provides a unique chance to share the most joyful experience of your life with your loved ones.
Regarding childbrith in Ghana and in general , I believe every woman must have a chance to chose how she wants to give birth unless she is incapable of making sound decisions. It makes the pregnant women feel more comfortable and less stressed during birth. Thanks for your post!
Maryam
Giving birth is different for every women some go fast while others go very slow. I have heard many say that they feel a difference between boys and girls, because they say they are sicker when carring a girl. After doing my research about other countries I am glad to be able to give birth in the United States.
Hi Angela,
I can relate to the emotions that are display during that beautiful time of birth. I too have two children but a girl and a boy. Their births were totally different and so were they. The first child was exposed to my lack out knowledge. She was what I call the experimental child. Even though I had previous experiences of being a mother, my son was my greatest challenge. I now know that with all the literature available about proper nutrition and care for me and my unborn children, I should have been more cautions.
I’m not saying that I was a bad mom or provider: I feel that I did a great job myself. I just believe that I should have read more about the proper way to care for me and my child. There is always room for growth.
Angela,
What a difference in 11 years! The process is much improved, allowing family to be close and having birthing suites so you can labor, birth and stay in one place. Thankful for those advocates who set out to change the way we do childbirth in this country.
Thanks for sharing about Ghana. The fact that they see no need to go to the clinic as pregnancy is not a disease is fascinating. Seems as if there is really no concept of progressive prenatal health in that country. I am thankful to be in a progressive nation.
Angela,
I had a similar experience when I had my son. I was admitted to the hospital with preeclampsia. They put me in a dark room and no one was allowed to see me and stay with me. My high blood pressure keep rising until the doctor made the decision to do a C-Section to avoid damages to my baby. My family was not there and they did not know I has having a C-section it was very scary to me. It was really comforting to me when I finally got to see them after the surgery. I remember I felt so happy when I saw my son that I forgot I was scared.