My Miracle Baby.... 

October 4th was one of the best days of my life.  My son, Gabriel was born healthy, full of life, and chubby.  I can remember being nervous, excited, and numb at the same time.  Being nervous, because I had been in this situation before with different results.  I was excited about my son coming into the world.  I was numb because of the C-section that was being performed.  Because I am very close to my obstetrician, I can remember joking with him about getting a smoothie after this was all over.   While my husband was trying to record the entire event, (after I had told him multiple times that I didn’t want it recorded.) I could feel the tugging and pulling at my abdomen.  Out came Gabriel, and my husband almost dropped the phone in excitement.  I heard a small cry and everyone in the room was happy. 

I chose this birthing experience, because of the excitement we all felt.  It is a memory that I will hold dear to my heart forever.   The birth of a child is a blessing and should not be taken lightly.  There are people that will never have the opportunity to experience their own child being born.  Child development is a continuous process from the moment of conception.  (Berger, 2016)

I recently read in IRIN news, how only 10% of birth happened in health facilities in Ethiopia.  (http://www.irinnews.org/news/2012/04/25/still-too-many-de aths-childbirth)  These numbers were from an article in 2012, but the number had raised 6% since the 2005 survey.  I am blessed to have been able to deliver in a hospital.  Because of the help of medical technology, I was able to maintain pregnancy full term and safely deliver.  Many Ethiopian women prefer to deliver in the privacy and safety of their homes.  Because of the lack of medical care 80% of maternal deaths are a result of infection, hemorrhaging, and other issues. 

References

Addis, A (2012, April 24) A lack of awareness of the importance of skilled hospital deliveries in Ethiopia, cultural beliefs, and transport challenges in rural areas are causing a high number of deaths during childbirth, say officials.  IRIN News.  Retrieved from http://www.irinnews.org/news/2012/04/25/still-too-many-de aths-childbirth

Berger, K. S (2015) Developing Person Through Childhood, 7th Edition. New York. NY