Poverty in America and Iraq

R. J. M. says that it was difficult sometimes. She says she had to carry water from a spring to her house or wait until it rains and catch it in a bucket just to have water for the house. Instead of sitting in a luxurious restroom she had to use an outhouse. (Can you imagine trying to potty train a child without a potty?) After school she had to work in a field (farming) then after the field work homework had to be done by lamp light. Water for her bath had to be heated up in the fireplace or wood burning stove. Shoes were worn to school and church only all other times she was barefooted. All of her clothes were pre owned, new clothes were unheard of. She coped with poverty because that was all she knew. Although others lived better that didn’t matter to her because she was still a happy normal child she says she was not jealous or envious of anyone. Poverty was the norm and the only way to grow up and not live in it was to get your education which is what she did. She feels compensated for poverty because as an adult she can appreciate indoor plumbing, a good job, and a nice wardrobe.

The war in Iraq has affected children greatly. Due to the war \ at least 5 million children have lost either 1 or both parents, 15% of children under the age of 14 work, and about 500,000 live on the streets (2012). These children also lack food, shelter, clean water, health, and education (2012) which are basic needs for the development of any child. Children in this country are used in sexual trafficking, suicide bombing, forced marriages, and prostitution (2012). In Iraq children are forced into doing things they don’t want to do and do not have a chance to be children it truly is sad. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs started a ‘justice for children’ project with the help of UNICEF to help children (2012).

References

Child Victims of War. (2012). Iraq’s Children. Retrieved from http://childvictimsofwar.org.uk/the-state-of-iraq-children/

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is meaningful to me because I chose to breastfeed my 7 month old. I felt like breastfeeding was the best way since that’s how babies have survived since the beginning of time. Before doing any research I knew I wanted to exclusively breastfeed for at least a year because it was just so natural. Breastfeeding is good for baby, its easy, convient, and always fresh.

Breastfeeding in Afghanistan is difficult due to living conditions and their culture. Many women have misconceptions about breastfeeding (Eliot, 2005). Women are told that their colostrum is dirty and infected so the baby gets adjusted to a bottle drinking sugar water with a little powered milk therefore making latching difficult (Eliot, 2005).  Some families discourage breastfeeding because the mother won’t have time to do anything else for their family (Walther, 2009). This country’s perception differs depending on where you are because some women are strongly encouraged by doctors and their family while others are discouraged because they have to take care of everyone else. Some women don’t have a choice in breastfeeding because they don’t have access to the proper foods they need to produce enough milk nor can they afford powered milk thus babies are dying due to malnutrition (Eliot, 2005).

This information about breastfeeding will affect my work because I can provide studies and research showing that if possible all babies need to be breastfed. I can explain to them that there is no competition for breast milk and it is healthy for infants and later adulthood. Breastfeeding even has benefits for mother and the entire family. Because I have increased my knowledge on breasfeeding I can become an advocate. 

References

Walther, C. (August 2009). UNIFEC Teaches Importance of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Afghanistan. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/afghanistan_50545.html

Eliot, J. (August 21, 2005). Breastfeeding Saving Afghanistan Babies. BBC News. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4747879.stm

My Giving Birth vs. Venezuelan Women

I would like to talk about the birth of my son Logan. He is my first and only child thus far. I was 39 weeks and 2 days when he decided to leave his world and enter into ours. On Monday I was feeling anxious like I just had to do something but my calves, ankles, and feet were so swollen I couldn’t do anything but keep them elevated. By Wednesday I was so ready for him I didn’t know what to do. On Thursday around 9: 30 pm I saw blood so I ate, took a bath, told my husband, called the doctor, called my mother, and finally left for the hospital. After all of my preparations we arrived at the hospital at 12:00 am Friday July 15, 2011.

 I signed my papers and was given a birthing room. The nurse checked me and said I was only 2 centimeters dilated and the chances of Logan being born that night was probably not going to happen. Because there were so many babies being born that night the on call doctor didn’t really have time to come check me. My doctor arrived at 7:00 am and checked me and I was only 3 centimeters so he told me that since I had dilated some more that they would keep me to see progression. By 9:30 am he told me that it was a good day to have a baby. The nurse put some pain medicine in my IV and off to sleep I went. At 12:30 pm he broke my water and I began to dilate quickly. At 12: 40 pm the nurse put more pain medicine in my IV. By 3:30pm I was 9 centimeters dilated. At 4: 15 pm I began to tell everyone I was ready to push but they kept telling me to wait on the doctor. The nurse got set up for baby and I began to tell everyone that I was going to push and the doctor was just going to miss this baby’s birth because he was coming and I was not going to stop him. At that point my mother and best friend left the room and my sister and husband rushed to my right side with my nurse on the left. The nurse then asked if I wanted someone to hold my legs or did I want to hold my own. I held my legs and the nurse instructed me on how to push and to push whenever I felt it. I began to do as I had been taught and then my husband almost passed out so the nurse and my sister were caring for him all while I pushed by myself. It was now about 4:25 and everyone came back to be and the doctor had made it in. After plenty of pushing, lots of breathing, motivating words from my husband and sister, and being hot my baby boy arrived at 4:34 pm at 8 pounds 6 ounces and 21 ¾ inches long. My birthing experience was a good one. I had a great nurse, doctor, and a wonderful support system.

I chose to talk about this experience because it was truly the only birthing experience I had encountered yet it was special. This was one of the most remarkable moments in my life and it was a great experience.

I feel that birth has a great impact on child development because it is the second most important decision a parent makes (proper prenatal being the first). How a child enters this world has an impact on child development because women who decide to have their child at home are taking great risks. Anything could happen such as a dropped heart rate, baby being breeched, or an umbilical cord around the neck but at the same token are natural poses no chemical threat to baby. The birth of baby is important and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

I decided to compare my experience with women in Venezuela. Through research I found that women in Venezuela do not have a choice with their birthing plan. Over 90 percent of Women in Venezuela are forced into having a cesarean. Some women may have their child vaginally but not naturally. This country basically forces women to their babies by cesarean and for those that cannot be convinced to have their babies by cesarean they have them vaginally but with medications.

Unlike the women of Venezuela I had a choice in my birthing plan. I told my doctor what I wanted and how I wanted it done. I was not pressured into anything but I was advised and my decision was made based off that. My experience was the same as the women of Venezuela because I had a staff that was prepared for me and baby and whatever condition we were in.

Through my research I learned that women prefer cesarean over vaginally because it saves time, energy, and they say it’s safer. Doctors prefer cesarean over vaginally because it means a bigger paycheck for them. I do not agree with a cesarean just because, I believe cesareans should only be performed if giving birth vaginally poses a threat to both mother a child. Birth was not intended to be planned the decision was always up to the fetus to decide when it wanted to become a baby and I believe that is how it should still be.

References

Devereux,  C.(July 17, 2010). Why so many c-sections in Venezuela? Global Post. Retrieved from http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/venezuela/100615/childbirth-cesarean

Molina, F. (2008). Birth Choices in Venezuela. Midwifey Today. Retrieved from  http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/intvenezuela.asp