American Way of Birth- Youtube Videos

Before this unit in class, I never really thought about the difference between normal child birth and natural child birth. I knew that a baby could be delivered either through a C-section (Caesarian) or vaginally. However, I thought that giving birth vaginally was both the “natural” and “normal” way. I always thought that a C-section was only performed when there was a health concern to either the mother or child. It does seem like nowadays women favor having a C-section opposed to giving birth vaginally. Even if there isn’t anything wrong with the baby, many mothers prefer a C-section even though it isn’t always safer.

After watching these videos and listening to the broadcast, I started thinking not only about birth in America, but the birthing process in general. The American Way of Birth is very odd, chaotic, and impersonal, when birth is supposed to be something joyous and sacred. When I looked at the different ways to give birth, I saw that the American Way of Birth is not normal at all. It made me question if having a baby in a hospital setting is always better. These videos changed my whole view on birth and the “right” way it should be done. Most of all it left me terrified, disgusted, and scared of the pain that is endured when giving birth.

I watched the dolphin and the giraffe giving birth first. They did make me cringe a little, but they weren’t that bad. It didn’t seem like they were in that much pain. The one that stood out to me the most was the giraffe, because it seemed the most similar to the way humans give birth. The giraffe had another giraffe there to kind of help her along while in labor, just like humans may have a midwife, or a close family member/friend there for support. What surprised me the most was how the baby was delivered, and the process after it was born. I was shocked to see that the baby was just plopped on the ground like it was nothing. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I definitely wasn’t expecting to see the baby giraffe hitting the ground as if it was garbage or something. What also surprised me was how quick the baby giraffe is kind of forced into the world. Minutes after it was born, the giraffe was learning to walk and stand on its own. This is very different to the way humans/Americans care for their babies. In our culture babies are usually waited on hand and foot for a couple of years before they are taught/ take up the courage to try to walk. While watching both the giraffe and the dolphin video, I noticed that the animals kind of went about their business while giving birth. The giraffe was walking around nonchalantly, while it seemed like the dolphin was swimming around like nothing is happening. I realized that the animals didn’t make a big deal about giving birth like humans do. They keep going on about their business like it’s just another regular day (maybe it’s because their animals???).

Right after watching the animals giving birth, I watched the midwife videos. This one wasn’t working properly so I also watched “Bastian’s Birth 7”. These were the hardest to take for me. Whenever I think about pregnancy I think of the mother just popping the baby out. Yes, I know there’s pain involved, but I never really knew what a mother ACTUALLY goes through giving birth. These two videos were so real, and “in your face” with the birthing process, and I don’t think that I was ready for that. As soon as I saw the babies start to come out, I started cringing, squirming, and getting pains in my stomach. Even though it did seem painful like any other birth, the “natural” birth (midwife, no doctors etc.) seemed like it would be a better environment to bring a person into this world with. It had me thinking why the “normal” American Way of Birth had to be complicated and stressful when it didn’t have to be that way. Why do most Americans choose to give birth in a hospital, than like the women in these videos with a midwife? Most of all the two videos on birth that I watched have me on the fence about giving birth. I know it‘s what is expected from us women, but I don’t know if I’m ready for that experience. Truthfully I don’t know how I ever would be. No matter how many calm and encouraging people I have around me, I know I won’t be as calm and collected as those mothers in the video.

The last video to be watched was the C-Section video. I definitely regretted it after I watched it. It seemed like the C-Section is a whole bunch of pulling, pushing, and tugging. Even the way they handled the baby after seemed so wrong. If I had the courage to watch this video I would, just to get a second look at the whole process. It made me think why do most American women want this experience…it seems HORRIBLE.