Two personal birth experiences

On August 4, 2010 I gave birth by emergency C-section to a 8lb 4oz baby girl (Ni'yonna) at 1:05 pm at Rex hospital in Raleigh NC.  She was born 1 week and 3 days overdue. As a result she used the bathroom inside of me and she breathed it in causing her to have PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn). My daughter was rushed to Wake Medical Hospital to the NICU where she spent 30 days. Rex did not have the machines she needed to keep her alive so I was away from her for 3 days. I had my daughter on a Wednesday and my Dr. Released me on Friday so I could be with my daughter. I could not hold my baby until she was 8 days old :(  Those were the longest and roughest 30 days of my life. I spent day and night at the hospital by her bedside. With the help God, my daughters father, my family, and, my close friends I was able to get through that difficult time. It made me stronger and appreciate life after our birth experience. She is now healthy and does not have any developmental issues. She will go to kindergarten in August. I chose my personal birth experience because it affected me as an individual and it really made my faith in God that much stronger.  Birth does impact child development however it does not determine the rest of your life. My daughter had to see a developmental specialist only because she was in the NICU however the specialist released my daughter from her care because she was so advanced. I feel if a baby is born unhealthy early intervention will help that child reach their best in development. More Information on PPHN:
http://www.childrenscolorado.org/wellness/info/parents/20830.aspx

 Ni'yonna

Arianna

On September 26 2013 at 10:05 am  I gave birth by C-section to a 6lb 4 oz baby girl (Arianna) at Rex hospital in Raleigh NC/ She was born one week early. My C-section was scheduled. The first 24 hours seemed really normal. My baby spent the night in my room however she was not eating. She also did not poop in the first 24 hours. This cause great concern for the doctors because her belly was very big. The Doctors took my baby to the special care nursery to monitor her. A few hours later the same doctor that spoke with me about my oldest daughter came in to my room and spoke to me. He said they were rushing my baby girl over to Wake Medical. My 2nd daughter was born with a condition called hirschsprungs disease. She had surgery at 2 days old to have a colostomy bag. She pooped in the bag for 3 months before having reversal surgery. She then came home but had to be rushed back to the hospital because she was vomiting and no longer pooping. She then had emergency surgery because she had a blockage. Thank God she is doing wonderful now. I went through some tough birth stories but God is real and my children are living witnesses.

More information on Hirchspprungs Disease.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hirschsprungs-disease/basics/definition/con-20027602
"Hirschsprung's (HIRSH-sproongz) disease is a condition that affects the large intestine (colon) and causes problems with passing stool. Hirschsprung's disease is present when a baby is born (congenital) and results from missing nerve cells in the muscles of part or all of the baby's colon.
A newborn who has Hirschsprung's disease is usually unable to have a bowel movement in the first days after birth. In mild cases, the condition might not be detected until later in childhood.
Hirschsprung's disease is treated with surgery to bypass or remove the diseased part of the colon".


Births in South Africa
 During the birth of a baby in South Africa a midwife, nurse, and/or doctor are present. There are birthing facilities, community health centers, and district hospitals where women can give birth. In rural areas, mothers may give birth in community health. District hospitals have high maternal mortality rates. In some areas pain medication is available for women giving birth. In the USA women can give birth at home and at a hospital as well as in South Africa. Pain medication is available at all hospitals in the USA but this is not the case in South Africa.

More information on giving birth in South Africa: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/international/SouthAfrica.asp