I am in a unique situation because I had my first daughter in Japan and second daughter in the US. What I remember the most for both is that I held the baby to my chest just after I gave birth. I chose this example because it was a big event that made me feel “ I am your mom”. I think this kangaroo care is important for both mothers and babies development because the moment I held my baby made me a “mom” who is strong and responsible and I could see that my first baby, who was full term, was reassured by staring into my eyes even though she looked a little lost and trying to find out what was going on.
The biggest difference between the ways to give birth in Japan and the US is whether we use painkillers or not. In Japan, we have a choice to use it but most don’t because people think the pain must be overcome to become a mother and if we avoid this, we are likely to be seen as a kind of failed mother or weak. I actually heard a doctor say a negative comment about a mother-to-be implied that she wanted the painless way. My friends and I have discussed that we also afraid that anesthesiologist may hurt us fatally by mistake because we do not trust them since they are not commonly used there.
One difference is that clinics which take care of pregnancy to birth are common in Japan. We could go to the hospitals but we usually do not change clinics or hospitals unless people need to go to ones in different prefectures to stay with their parents so that the grandparents can take care of new-moms after they give birth. Another difference is that mothers stay in the hospital longer in Japan. I stayed for 5 days in Japan and only 2 days in the US. But this makes sense because mothers who made birth without drugs are so tired and mentally fatigued that they need longer stays to recover. The other difference is that we are supposed to visit a doctor as soon as 5 or 6 weeks into a pregnancy in Japan but we wait until 12 weeks to see a specialist doctor in the US.
Other things are pretty similar. We go through many tests for abnormalities during pregnancy, even though I feel ones America are more detailed. Both countries have parent classes, though my husband was required to attend the one in Japan. Both countries also use similar high technological devices to monitor both the mother and baby’s health.
I personally think using painkillers is better for mothers and babies because easier birth enables a mother to take care of their babies sooner and puts less of a burden and stresses on mother and, I think, babies too. To me, the procedure of having birth in Japan was hell and one in the US was the heaven. It could be the same to my daughters, because my elder daughter was born a little purple and the nurses needed to suck liquid from her airway but my younger daughter was OK and cried out pretty quickly.
Thank you for sharing your child birthing experiences. I found it interesting that you prefer medicine during the birthing process. I have talked with several friends and family members about the birthing process, and most of them preferred not to use medicine because they feared it would delay the child’s responses when first born. My aunt often complains about sharp pains where she had her epidurals.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely have a unique perspective to share with us. Thank you. I had a c-section and prior to going to the surgical room my contractions were just getting strong enough to feel. I felt one good one before going and to be honest I think they were still mild. It hurt though, and I knew they would become very painful. I can't imagine how painful it would have become. I respect you for having gone through that process! A part of me will always wonder what it is like to experience a natural childbirth.
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