Comparing Birth Experiences: USA/KSA/MSR

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Amani Sitting in front of a symbol of Saudi in Belgium

I am honored to have been asked to participate in the Mummy in Provence blog series on birth stories from around the world.  I love her project to focus in the differences of birth around the globe.

I hope you enjoy reading this interview about my experiences with birthing.  It is from the perspective of comparison between birthing in the United States, Egypt, and Saudi.  I also hope you will visit the original blog post and browse the many different birthing cultures represented in the series.

Let me know if you'd like to share your birth story on Saudi Birth Story.  It's always an honor and a pleasure to share my readers' birth stories.  Now on to the interview..Comparing Birth Experiences:  USA/KSA/MSR...

Natural Pregnancy Spacing

 Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

A sister recently asked me about my own experiences with natural spacing of pregnancies.  I thought this might make a good post for others as well.  As a mother of eight, it is probably easy to guess that I don't employ the use of pharmaceutical birth controls.  But that wasn't always the case.

Insha'Allah, I will have a guest writer (either here or on Saudi Life Motherhood) in the coming weeks who will discuss contraceptives in more depth.  I always enjoy sharing the work of guest writers.  Please let me know if you are interested in contributing.  Now on to my post...Natural Pregnancy Spacing...

"My water broke!"...Guess what...it's NOT an Emergency!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim



Art by:  Amy Swagman
http://themandalajourney.com/

Important amendment to this article:  I inadvertantly left off some very good points which were made in the comments section by a reader.  Please take the time to read the entire article AND comments to get a more complete view of this topic.

I recently had two separate occasions to work with women that had amniotic leaks prior to the onset of labor.  Both wanted natural birth without medical induction, augmentation, or cesarean surgery.  But both were worried if they didn't rush to the hospital that their babies would be in jeapordy.

Fortunately, I was able to provide them information that gave them the confidence to allow nature to take its course.  I pray that sharing this here will help others in the same circumstance. 

Please contact me if you would like to share a topic idea.  Now on to the article..."My water broke!"...Guess what...it's NOT an Emergency!

I am NOT against hosptial births!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Amani at home,

just minutes after birth!

Today I posted a comment on my Face Book page that started a debate.  It became obvious to me that many people assume that because I had an unassisted-home birth that this is what my blog is all about.  Let me clarify, I am NOT against hospital births.  I am, however, against unnecessary medical intervention.  I believe women need to be good consumers, informed, and not just complacent to hospital and doctor protocols. 

I've posted the Face Book thread here and hope you enjoy reading it.  Please let me know if you have a story idea or birth story to share.  Now on to the thread...I am NOT against hospital births!...

Baby number one...How it all began...

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

(Not a water birth; I just love this photo!)

Khalid's Birth Story

Sacramento, California

November 4, 1995

For those who don't know me, I'm one of those women who love to be pregnant, don't mind birth (after-the-fact), and love having a lot of kids.  I feel fortunate to have found childbirth classes when I was expecting my first baby.  I am so grateful to Dr. Bradley and the founders of the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth® for their life's work in educating women on the importance of natural, NON-MEDICATED childbirth.  If the simple techniques they teach for coping with labor and birth didn't work, I'd not have eight children today!  I believe so strongly in their childbirth classes that I am now a teacher myself!  When I was expecting my first baby fifteen years ago, I never would have dreamed that I'd end up half way across the world, mother of eight, and teaching women to birth naturally as I have.  Allah has a way of guiding and directing us to the places we need to be.  Always trust in HIS plan!

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number one..how it all began...

Baby number two...Wow! The techniques taught in childbirth classes really work!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Sarah's Birth Story
Clovis, California
August 21, 1997

I had such a great birth experience the first time that I didn't feel I needed to take childbirth classes again.  However, when the time actually came, instinct took over, I tensed up with the pain, and cognizant use of the techniques taught in my childbirth classes went out the window!  Thankfully, my husband was there and prompted me just enough to remember what to do...and OH! what a difference it made!

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number two...Wow!  The techniques taught in childbirth classes really work!...

Baby number three...Pushing could be optional!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Amina's Birth Story

Mountain View, California

April 7, 1999



I'd have to crown Amina's birth as my favorite for a long time (until baby number seven came along and took her crown).  Only because she came without a push!  There's just something uncomfortable (embarassing as well) about pushing while doctors, nurses, and who knows who else watches!

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number three..Pushing could be optional!...

Baby number four..The hardest of all my births!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Salman's Birth Story

Fresno, California

December 2, 2000

I really hadn't been too worried about this birth.  Afterall, the last birth had been so easy! I really expected that this one would be too.  But, boy, was I wrong!  As it turns out, this would be the hardest of the eight!  That just goes to show that each woman and each birth is unique and different.

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number four..The hardest of all my births!...

  

Baby number five...Pitocin, never again!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Rayan's Birth Story

Clovis, California

March 19, 2003

If I knew then what I know now, I would not have consented to Pitocin (a medication administered intravenously to induce or speed labor).  Dr. Bradley was quoted as saying, "A good obstetrician has been defined as one equipped with a broad rear end and the good sense to sit calmly on it and let nature take its course."  Unfortunately, too many labors are rushed and c-sections performed due to the impatience of doctors.  The only good thing is that as a childbirth class teacher, I can talk about Pitocin from personal experience.

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number five...Pitocin, never again!...

Baby number six...My first baby with my Saudi husband!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Haider's Birth Story

Alexandria, Egypt

April 2, 2007

Although my ex-husband wasn't much of a labor partner, at least he had taken childbirth classes with me and was present at each of my births. This time would be different.  My Saudi husband wasn't interested in participating in the labor and birth and preferred not to be there. This was heartbreaking to me, but what could I do?  I was in another land, half way around the world from "home" and the culture was different.  In this place, birth was "women's business" and men simply didn't get involved.

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number six...My first baby with my Saudi husband!... 

Baby number seven..Almost a home birth!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Faris' Birth Story

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

April 9, 2009

Had I realized that I was going to have the baby that morning, I wouldn't have gone to meet the doctor.  I really wanted a home birth this time.  Not only didn't I get it, but my husband missed the birth (again) as he was busy filling out hospital forms.

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number seven...Almost a home birth!...

Baby number eight...Baba's birth story!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Amani's Birth Story

Born at Home

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

September 21, 2010

This time I was really excited about the upcoming birth of my baby.  My Saudi husband had really taken the time to study about pregnancy and birth and was ready to support me in my long-time dream of having a home birth!  We worked hard together during this pregnancy and became teachers of  natural childbirth classes.  I witnessed a transformation in my husband and I can't even begin to explain just how much closer we have become!  This story is special because it's from his perspective.

I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Baby number eight..Baba's birth story!...