Childbirth experience

 All four of my births had memorable moments.  My first was 4 wks early with only minor complications and mild postpartum depression.   My second was quite memorable as I had to go by ambulance as we were escorted by the police.  Needless to say I had anxiety issues during the birth process as I delivered only 20 minutes later upon arrival to the hospital.  After my sons birth I was afraid to go through another birth so we did not plan on having any more children.  Well, 14 years later I found out I was pregnant and was in shock.  I had a lot of fear, stressors and anxiety with this pregnancy and I did have early preterm contractions from about 4 months on.  My third son was born about 3 wks early but was healthy.  My fourth son was my toughest pregnancy as I was on partial bedrest toward the end because of pre-eclampsia.  He was born healthy and my largest child.  I had expectations to deliver in water with all of my births but my babies were born too quickly.  I considered home births but was afraid of possible complications.  I was also very adament about having drug free births so I was able to have my children without any medication.
I chose to tell about these births because I feel as though I had experienced some of the incidence that were mentioned in the book.  It was also facinating to read about possible reasons for early births and low birth like two of mine had.  I didn't realize that low birth rate, father support, exhaustion and other stressors could have such an impact on child development.
I chose the Netherlands to find out how births happen there.  I found that they have the highest mortality rate in Europe as they have 10 deaths per 1,000 compared to 6-7 per 1,000 here in the U.S.  In contrast, 30 percent of their births are at  home, while about 1 percent are born at home in the U.S.  In addition, midwives are their primary care and they are sent to an Obgyn as their secondary only if complications arrise.  In the U.S our primary care is with an Obgyn.  I really didn't realize how normal world wide homebirths were as compared to the seemingly normal hospital births here in the U.S.  I also didn't realize how many midwives were used in other countries.  It has given my a lot of insight.