VIOLENCE

As a child my parents were married but not happy together. My father was an aggressive police officer that like to drink and cheat on my mom. I remember times when he would come home bickering with my mom for no apparent reason. My sister and I were quite small at the time, I probably was 12 years old at the most. Hearing the yelling and screaming made my sister and I very uncomfortable. We would be inside our rooms hugging one another while our parnets were arguing. That made me feel scared and unconfrotable. I survived by praying. My parents have been divorced for over 13 years now. My sister and I was glad they made that decision.

In China the population is high, along with the poverty rates. It has become better over the years but it still exists. Growing up in a huge country in poverty can take away from that child. It can harm their self esteem, they shut others out, they have a smaller chance to receiving a great education.

http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=countryo

BREASTFEEDING

I never found breastfeeding to be so important until the day I delivered my daughter who was born 2lbs and 15oz. The doctors stressed how important it was to breastfeed a premature baby. I was told how healthy the milk was, and that it would help my daughter from becoming sick. This subject is meaningful to me because it expresses reasons to mothers on why they should choose to breastfeed. According to researchers babies are likely to be less sick due to the hormones and antibodies. Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune system. (It also been proved that it can reduce the risk of SIDS (Women’s Health).

I discovered that in New Zealand when babies are breastfed they are more intelligent.   (Horwood and Ferguson). Mostly all children in Pakistan are breastfed. It is recommended that babies be exclusively breastfed for 6 months (Hanif 2011).  

The information towards breastfeeding impacts my life because I plan to have more children. My first child was breastfed until she was 5 months, so hopefully the second go round will last until the 12^th month. In researching several articles I’m still convinced that breastfeeding is the option for me. Once I decide to birth again I will remember that breast milk helps to keep babies from getting sick and may even make baby girls less at risk for cancer as they become older.

References:

Horwood and Fergusson, "Breastfeeding and Later Cognitive and Academic Outcomes", Jan 1998 Pediatrics Vol. 101, No. 1

http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/ empowering women to live healthy lives

Hanif, H.(2011).  Trends in breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in Pakistan, 1990-2007. Breastfeeding Journal 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2012.

The Birth of my Daughter

Having my daughter was one of the best feelings ever! I was overwhelmed with joy. Steps leading to the deliverance of my child was terrified. I was having sharp pains and shortness of breath on a Saturday night. My husband rushed me to the hospital where i was later admitted to discover that i had high blood pressure and fluid around my heart. To my discovery i was diagnosed with preeclampsia. I was in shock of the entire situation especially when the doctor told me that i may have an emergency C-section that night. They closely monitored me and i did not have a C-section that night. At the doctors discretion I spent a week in the hospital being closely monitored on special diets. After a week of being there, the doctor decided that it was no longer healthy or safe to keep my child in the womb any longer. He scheduled me a C-section for the next morning. At 32 weeks i gave birth at 8:32 am on March 19, 2010 to a beautiful baby girl who weighed 2lbs and 15oz. It was a blessing that see did not need any breathing machines she breathing fine on her own. Moments after her birth she was rushed to the NICU to be tested and closely evaluated. I never held her on that day. Luckily my husband was able to walk her over to the NICU which was very briefly. I was able to hold my baby girl for the first time on March 20, 2010. Holding her i instantly felt a bond. I was attached within seconds. My daughter spent an entire month in the NICU before released to come home. I called the hospital every 3hours to check on her, and went to see her 3 times out a day. Each night before I left, i cried hysterical. I was devastated, that i had a child who was unable to return home with me. On April 19, 2010 i was ecstatic that my daughter was coming home to live with her parents forever.

The birth of my child was a special event in my life. It was a scary moment, but God answered our prayers and saw fit for my child to survive. Today she is a healthy and active toddler whom i love more by the minute. I cherish every moment i spend with my child because it could have been another outcome to my situation.