I have two sons who are seven years apart. Even though they have the same mother and father, they are different in many ways. Their births were similar but different. They were both full term babies and born in the same hospital. Both were delivered vaginally by a doctor and crew of nurses in a private maternity room. My oldest came on his due date ten hours after being admitted to the hospital. He was a sweet and quiet little baby. My second came a week before his due date and was delivered about four hours after being admitted into the hospital. He was not as sweet and quiet as his big brother. The picture above was taken when the nurse had to give him to me to help calm him. He was too upset to even allow the nurses to take his initial vitals. As soon as he was placed in my arms, Jacob calmed down and relaxed. After a few minutes of being with me, the nurse was able to take him back to get his measurements and vitals. With both boys, I stayed in the hospital for a full 24 hours before being released to go home.
In the Netherlands, most expectant mothers do not see an obstetrician but are referred to a local midwife. All explanation mothers are required to receive a kraampakket, which is a home birth kit. Unlike the United States that requires new mothers to remain in the hospital for at least twenty-four hours, if a mother does not have any complications during birth, she and the baby may be released to go home two hours after the birth. Follow-up visits by a nurse may occur for up to a week after the birth to provide medical care and basic parenting skills training.
Reference:
Schalken, L. (2017, December 06). Birth Customs Around the World. Retrieved from
http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI never knew anything about a kraamparkket, but now I do. When you have a midwife, do they stay in the home with you, or do they visit you daily?
I like the picture of you calming your second son down after the nurse could not calm he down. It's so amazing how you can form a bond with your child while they are in your womb, he was never held but knew that his mommy had him. I like how in your culture you have follow up visits by a nurse to provide medical care and basic parenting skills.
Hi Donna, I love the picture! It reflects that the infant/mother bond is formed in the womb. Your son was immediately calmed when he received contact with you and that is amazing!
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