HW#36: Pregnancy & Birth Stories

1.) I felt a bit awkward as I sat next to my mother telling a story about me. She showed me a medical and welfare record of my daily growth-as though it was like her little treasure. When I asked her what influnced her to have a baby, she simply answered that in Japan it was assumed that when you get married, you have a child. It was a cultural influence. But regardless, she was happy that there was a new life growing inside of her. Nine months felt like forever to her and she wanted the baby to hurry up and come out. It was also a busy period for her as well-she was actually preparing to move to NY and had to finish papers. I was supposed to be due two days later, but my mother knew something was odd when she felt pain. She called the hospital but was told to just rest at home. She could not sleep at all and even when she went to the hospital the next day it wasn't until night time that I finally came out. The birth process was long and uncomfortable. Her thighs hurt instead of the stomache and my mother could tell the nurse never experienced birth herself.

Despite the fact that it was a bit odd asking my own mother how it felt giving birth to myself-I found myself understanding and agreeing with her opinions and thoughts. Living in Japan, my mother was affected by the assumptions people made about marridge and birth. This made me wonder if the culture here, in America, affects our decisions about pregnancy and birth as well. My mother's story also confirmed my understanding that pregnancy is not only a period of excitement-but it is also a period of stress and impatience. Nine months is a long time period. The moment of giving birth is even more tiresome and even painful. The comment she made about the nurse having no experience in birth made me wonder if its better if doctors who help deliver babies have birth experiences themselves.

2.)I knew teen pregnancy was commonplace, but I didn't think I end up knowing someone in that situation. I was shocked when I found out and had no idea how to react. I felt guilty for asking her questions for a history homework but she ended up telling me to ask her anything and that she trusts me to keep her anonymous. The pregnancy was unexpected but she is thankful for the new life. She worried about being able to graduate while having the responsibility of a child but I could tell she also has affections and loving feelings to the baby. When she found out about her pregnancy, she read as many books as she can about birth and pregnancy. She took walks until the 8th and 9th month. She also mentioned about how emotional she was.

At first I felt bad for her, but I learned from her that having a baby at a young age isn't a 'mistake.' At least she dosn't think so. Why does our culture put down teen pregnancy so much? I had to wonder this while I heard her story. She puts effort in her child while still being able to focus on school. A mother should be loving and responsible, so I think she will be a great mother despite the difficulties. I was also surprised that the father of the child is also willing to care and love for the child. I had a weird assumption that male teenagers don't want to do anything with a baby. My interview with her contradicted all my negative images of teen pregnancy. This dosn't mean we should have babies at a young age-but I'm starting to think it isn't always bad as long as your responsible enough.

3.) I actually found similar answers from this interviewee. She decided to have a baby with her husband after they both finished college and had a stable income. She found support from family members as well which helped her a lot through her pregnancy. Though the situation is the complete opposite from the teen mother, what they did during pregnancy were similar. She researched everything she can about birth and even excersized. She barely felt sick, but mentioned about how emotional she was. She even cried at movies that she never cried at before her pregnancy. She also mentioned about feeling uncomfortable with looks from strangers. She's not a teen mother, but some strangers think she is from her appearance and she really didn't like that.

Pregnancy brings many emotional and physical problems. She had a lot of support which I found really important in times of pregnancy. Nine months with barely no support is most likely really overwhelming. I didn't get to find someone who went through birth with no support at all so it made me wonder how hard it must be in that kind of situation. She emphasized how glad she was her family and her husband was for their support.

I am curious to know more about the emotional and psychological aspect of birth. I'm curious if support from others affect people's decisions and feelings about birth.

HW#35: Other People's Perspective 1

I was actually relieved at the answers I received from my interviewees. All five of them had a strong belief that birth is beautiful and natural. Though the process of birth can be painful or stressful, a baby is the start of a new life that should be treasured and loved. One respondent mentioned that, "We live in a culture that is silencing toward women's bodies, especially silencing of birth. Being able to birth where you want and with whoever you want is an essential facet of the struggle for reproductive rights." I can tell from those words that she is strongly dissatisfied at today's culture because birth is indeed, a right. Even if society views birth in a negative way, our strong beliefs that birth is beautiful still stays.

Another respondent mentioned that, "you never know how much of an impact the new born can have on the world." I found myself agreeing with this statement. Every individual, every life, can contribute to the world we live in-which just shows that birth is beautiful. The only difference in answers was about the controversy of abortion, which is understandable. One views that abortion is the killing of a life while those who are for it strongly said that the choice should be there. A respondent said that an abortion should be a choice if the pregnant woman has too many financial problems to even take care of a child. Either way, I can see that both sides have strong beliefs because they find value in what is best for the baby.

It is obvious from these answers that their dominant perspective on birth is the sacredness of a new life and the potential it brings to the world. Most of the respondents had a clear opinion on abortion which is a dominant controversy. Experience of seeing a baby and hearing about 'how cute we were when we were babies' from our parents affect the majority to feel a strong importance and beauty in a new life. Though our culture may be silencing our rights to birth, many women find that birth is a great thing. I think our history has also shaped our perception of beauty because women had fought for the rights of abortion and privacy. Perhaps that feeling of having strong beliefs in our rights is still existent.

HW#34: Some Initial Thoughts on Birth

To me, birth is a very confusing topic. I assume that its only polite to say congratulations to a pregnant mother. I never questioned why though. I guess its because society as a whole assumes that birth is something that is worth celebrating since it is the day of a new life on earth. I remember my mother's co-worker who held a dinner party to celebrate her pregnancy, and later I got to hold her baby after she gave birth. I agree that birth is something worth celebrating, but how did it all start? How do other countries celebrate or think about birth? Are there countries that perhaps don't look forward to a new birth? My positive assumptions towards birth now seems to be affected by the general opinion of the public.

But, on the other hand teenage mothers always depict negative associations. I found out recently that a classmate from a school got pregnant and cannot wait to see the child she will soon give birth to. I felt really awkward. Why do we turn away from teenage mothers? Is it because we assume they cannot be responsible enough to take care of the living? But, regardless of age, isn't the love of a mother to a child the same? Or is it different? I don't know, but it's something worth thinking about. our perceptions and associations with different aspects of birth are deeply affected by social standards and the media. I wonder if this unit as well, will have surpring truths revealed and have new thoughts developed through this unit.