After reading Lilian’s story on how she gave birth alone in the house, as is with every mother I was in awe of her. I saw her as a hero, I wanted that to be my experience, especially after going through 21 hours of labour, I know what just a little back pain then baby came would make me feel, it would make me feel like a hero, it would make me want to get my next child without so much of a thought. In fact, if I were assured that I would have half the smooth birth she had, I would not mind having my number 2.
I had a pretty much smooth pregnancy; I would carry pregnancies for other women if I were sure it would be like the first one. However, the birth process for me was not a walk in the park as Lilian’s. I had gone through the classes and for sure knew what to do when labour starts, I was well prepared and though I had not been told about giving birth in the house, I pretty much knew what to do when labour starts, what to look out for, when to rush to hospital. I knew what would be an emergency and what I would wait out in the house.
I however, had to be induced because baby was way overdue, 42 weeks and the lil man had no plan of coming. This article is however, not my birth experience, it is about giving birth.
In as much as Lilian is my hero, I would not in a million years advice anyone to give birth at home, it takes less than a second for it to turn from a heroic act to an emergency. I have a friend who had a pretty normal birth at the hospital and when baby came, he had to be taken to NICU because he had breathing problems, something they had not been prepared for in the Lamaze class.
It takes less than a second for a smooth birth to turn into an emergency and life threatening for the mother since excessive bleeding after birth is the main cause of maternal death.
In as much as we cannot hold the baby back when it is time for them to come, I would be very cautious to encourage someone to try a home birth without the help of a mid wife at least. I know sometimes we read so much and yet what we read mostly works for developed worlds. As the article said ‘In fact, the trend in the UK and the US is to have home deliveries, says Dr Wanyoike Gichuhi, and obstetrician-gynaecologist. However, that would be impossible in the Kenyan setup because of infrastructure hurdles, he observes.
“What they are doing is having a midwife in attendance during the anticipated period. It works there because they have a very good backup system where their road network and ambulance services are efficient. The ambulance takes just a few minutes to arrive after you call 911 and get you to hospital quickly in case of an emergency. But can we afford that in Africa?” he asks.’
Even in the rural set-up, women know who to call when the time comes, because it is better to have someone who has some experience to be with you as you are going through the delivery. It is no wonder the first Lady Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta is running a campaign to train mid-wives because it is clear that a lot of maternal deaths during delivery happen due to lack of well trained midwives. So it is not wise to try delivering your baby by yourself after a few classes at the clinic.
Truth is, it is God who watches over us, but let us be wise as well.
Be wise take care