Week 2 Blog: BREASTFEEDING IN INDIA

I chose Breastfeeding because I have always been taught that the healthiest baby is a baby who is breastfed. I was breastfed, and my daughter was also breastfed. I wanted to see if there were any countries that had slightly a different outlook on breastfeeding and weigh their reasons why they did not think it was a beneficial thing to see if my idea that Breastfeeding is healthy would remain. As I researched different countries, I ran across India. Now, some women do breastfeed, however it is not pushed as it is in America. As I was reading it stated that "A lot of it is due to myths that breastfeeding affects their beauty." Before the idea of Breastfeeding was enforced largely, some mothers, and even now some mothers still feed their infants goat milk which was a tradition there. Colostrum which is the "first milk" was considered "dirty milk" which also was an influence on mothers to not breastfeed their infants. As a result of this almost two million babies died by the age of five from preventable diseases. Breastfeeding can increase immunity and this is something that other doctors and health advisors are trying to teach the women of India now.
    Reading about the different views of breastfeeding, makes me think about how many people are so accustomed to "their ways of doing things" that they sometimes are not open to receiving help on better ways to do those things. That, really hit me in a general context because that could go for not just breastfeeding. I know that if we as a world could be open to seeing what things or ideas work best in other countries and adopting those same techniques in our own then we would be a lot more successful in things that we do from day to day. Breastfeeding is a very important and natural way of providing nutrition for our children, and if it is proven to be so, then why not do it? This definitely impacts my views on just being open to other peoples ways of doing and seeings things in the future before just counting it out and saying "my way is the best way"
 





http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/india_54058.html

Week 1 : W.Mathis -Birthing Experience Comparing American to Chinese

After viewing some information about Chinese Birthing Experienced, I was able to see a lot of differences in the birthing as well as the months leading up to the birth. Chinese birthing experiences focus a lot on traditions. During the pregnancy process where American women are encouraged to do different things even exercise Chinese woman are restricted in so many areas. One thing that I read is that they do not believe in sex during pregnancy. Wow, I do not believe an American man would go for that. :-) During the birthing process, American women seem to be a lot more conscientious than the Chinese woman who has her birthing experience mostly in a more "mid wifery" setting. The one insight that I gained was that different countries see different things as important or less important. But studies continue to show which views work the best in the development of the child. I do believe that Americans have adopted one of the safest birthing experiences that there is to ensure the proper development of the child.

Week 1- W. Mathis , Personal Birthing Experience

      It was June 25th 2008 and I was going to the Doctors office for my regular visit when I was told that my blood pressure was high and that I needed to go straight to the hospital and that I was going to deliver my baby then. I was already up to my due date and they were going to schedule an induction however because of the results I had to go then. I rushed over to the Hospital where I was told that I had Preeclampsia A condition in pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, sometimes with fluid retention and proteinuria.

I was in labor for hours waiting to dialate to 10 cm but I never got past four when they realized my uterus was swollen, so they decided to rush me in to have a C-Section to avoid any issues with the baby. I went in and by this time it was June 26,2008 I delivered a beautiful baby girl. They kept her in the NICU for a few days to assure there were no issues but afterwards they determined she was fine. Now today, as a almost five year old she is still a very beautiful and healthy baby girl!

I chose this example because this is the only birthing experienced that I have physically been apart of apart from my own as a baby which other than what my mom has told me I really do not remember much.

When it comes to birth in relation to child development, I believe that it is very vital that the process is carried out in the safest most sanitary way as possible to avoid any issues with the childs health. It can be very possible that although through the whole pregnancy period that you carry a completely healthy baby but then by not taking the necessary precautions during the birthing process, end up with developmental, as well as health issues that directly affect the child.