"Braxton Hicks, that's all they are babe, really don't worry", those were the last words I spoke to my husband before my water broke all over the couch. We had taken the classes, we knew what to do, but he was almost 4weeks early. Of course my response to the wonderful introduction to contractions was hot running water, I stayed in the shower until my husband drug me out. After about 30minutes in the shower we headed to the hospital, by this time my contractions were 3-5mintues apart and the pain was intense. Once we arrived and I was admitted and checked the first question was "when do you want the meds?" I very nicely (through gritted teeth) told her I want none of it, but that an IV hook up was ok in case of an emergency. I was in labor for a total of 4hours. No medication and feeling every moment of it. I was in control the whole time. My wishes were made clear at the beginning and stayed that way throughout delivery. About 12hours after my son was born my husband noticed that he was blue. He was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. My first born, my baby boy, spent a week in the hospital. I was only allowed to stay an extra day in the hospital. It was the hardest week of my life. I felt I was not able to bond with my baby in the same way. My pregnancy was great and my delivery amazing however I wish I knew about more options and was able to have more options. In the United States, deliveries in a hospital is normal and now more commonly C-Sections. Women are back to work in 6weeks and 12weeks if they are lucky. However, Switzerland does things a bit differently.
Women have many options when it comes to birth. The hospital, home, and birthing centers (as we would call them). Deliveries outside of an hospital require a midwife to be present. Woman are not allowed to return to work in the first 8weeks following birth and have paid maternity leave for up to 14weeks. Women are protected during and after their pregnancy. With Switzerland it seems as though they have a lot more regards for the woman during pregnancy and after. I believe that allowing the woman a 3month paid maternity leave allows time for the mother to continue bonding with their newborn. Also, women seem to have more choices and midwifery is not frowned upon.
I chose to look at Switzerland because as I did more research after the birth of my son I learned what I wanted if there were to be a next time. I believe that it is important to give women options when it comes to their body. We must remember that giving birth is natural for us as women. Our body already knows what to do and we should be able to do it in the most natural and comfortable way for us.
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