Black Parenting : $6,000 to Birth a Child. No thanks. Alternatives?

[Gorilla]

Particularly if that modern progress not only doesn't reflect your own traditions, but it furthermore makes you look down upon them.

The thing about progress and gaining a greater understanding of things through science is that it doesn't care about traditions or preconceived notions. I don't think this necessarily means we have to look down on any tradition just because of this when we can still examine those traditions in a proper context.

Europeans traditionally had some very interesting ideas and relationships with disease. They differ greatly from what's known today. They used to believe that bad, foul air was the cause of things like the bubonic plague and cholera. These are two diseases that we now know are caused by microbial agents; however, Europeans did not know this at the time. They thought that carrying small pouches or pocket fulls of flowers would offer protection from such ailments because of their pleasant smells. Meanwhile, Indians had similar theories but found more practical applications as a diagnostic tool.

Does the hindsight of human progress look back on either of these cultures well? Personally, I think in this example it's even a little rougher on the Europeans even though we know where Koch's postulate comes from.

Unlike other phenomena, every last one of us were born--bar none. For the birthing process to be seen as superior as practiced by the European fairly solidifies our dependence but also our inferiority complex. I.e. most every one of us bow to the Wisdom of the European to bring our children onto Earth. That's a profound statement.

It's hard won wisdom through centuries of progress. It isn't as strictly European as yourself or others might view it, but it should not matter if it's based on solid evidence and reason. It could have come from people who are green with too many eyes and still retain its value.

I believe this view has some merit as being the product of an inferiority complex; however, I think the root cause of that inferiority complex is found in a lack of self-worth and a lack of knowledge. Is it harder to obtain something like a sense of self-worth given the history of racism and poverity in America? Definitely, but if there's a focus on treating that issue it can be done. I just don't think the way of doing that is trying to cling to traditional things simply for the sake of ego instead of actually finding value in those traditions. If one is not careful in their search for an identity, an inferiority complex can become that identity.

 

[Gorilla]

All valid and well stated arguments.

However, there are unspoken reasons for why children are born in hospitals such as making sure that the newborn is stamped with a birth certificate for purposes of government regulation, tracking, bodies for the private armies, and a future revenue source.

Also, the history of African-Americans with respect to medical experimentation since before the founding of the federation to today should give any Nubian pause with respect to the claims made by anyone from the establishment.

Medical Apartheid does a good job of explaining some of the well-founded distrust of institutions, but it still doesn't advocate for neglecting health. It's a really good book and I enjoyed it when I read it a while back. I still need to get Acres of Skin, after I'm done with a second run through of Dancing in the Glory of Monsters.

 

[Gorilla]

And this would be an error in interpretation if you believe I or the original poster is advocating neglecting one's personal health.

Currently, it seems medicine as practiced in these United States seems more about revenue than science, research, and actually curing anything, heaven forbid.

Last cure I can recall is polio in the 1950s.

Fair enough. That's just how I view it when someone says that tradition should override medical science.

The second part of the comment I disagree with because it's a bit more complex than that.

 

[Gorilla]

I'm more of a do it yourself and to hell with institutions kind of guy .

I actually hope this is possible in the future for health care. It'd be amazing to have 3-D printers that can produce everything from biologics to medical supplies and have robots and systems that can perform sort of at-home diagnostics and procedures.

 

[Fieldpea]

That I know of, I think it wise when a pregnant woman uses all of the basic tools that are available to her in order to safely carry her pregnancies to term in a healthy way. Go ahead and choose a reasoned course with a mind to using the best tools available (and affordable if $$$ is a true issue)--like, if she isn't covered by health insurance.


If she thinks at the outset to go to a hospital or clinic for care during pregnancy, labor and delivery, she still should pay attention to her diet--especially with an eye towards increasing her vitamin/mineral intake, and decide--yes or no--if she should add prenatal vitamins to her dietary regimen. She should still make sure she does daily exercise that's easy and safe to do. She should still watch out for (hope not to develop) swelling in her ankles, legs and hands. She should still get plenty of rest. She should live as free from stress as she and you can manage *for her*...stuff like this.


Here's the thing:


If she thinks at the outset to work with a midwife alone for care during pregnancy, labor and delivery, she still should pay attention to her diet--especially with an eye towards increasing her vitamin/mineral intake and decide--yes or no--if she should add prenatal vitamins to her dietary regimen. She should still get daily exercise that's easy and safe to 'get'. She should still watch out for (hope not to develop) swelling in her ankles, legs and hands. She should still get plenty of rest. She should live as free from stress as she and you can manage *for her*...stuff like this.


Six anecdotal things that I want to mention about my own experiences:


First: It wasn't at all common where I lived to have midwife services available when I carried my kids to term (the '80s). For urban care at that time, most insurance companies *refused* to cover midwife services, meaning that *all costs* would be out of pocket. I couldn't afford to do that, so... Luckily, I had health insurance all three pregnancies. The first pregnancy was ectopic, I spontaneously aborted at almost 2 months, ended up requiring a D & C (dilate and curretage procedure--uterus flush and scrape)--as I developed an infection that, if not aggressively treated *could* have cost me my life--I was *that* in trouble.


Second: When I realized that I was pregnant for a second time, and faced the fact that I'd have to birth and raise my child without his father, first thing I did was change my insurance coverage from 'single to family'. First thing I did. That change caused my insurance company to pay for prenatal care. Second thing I arranged was a 'move' into a less expensive place to live in my apt complex. I went from a 1 bdrm to a studio. Then I put my head down, worked and saved all I could over the next 6 months. A month before the baby was due, I moved *back* into a 1 bdrm (same complex, again). About a week later, I went into early delivery!


I followed the same line of thinking with my second pregnancy (reduced my living expenses in order to save more).


Third: My second and third pregnancies resulted in low birthweight babies (5 lb 10 oz and 5 lb 13 oz, with both born 3 weeks early), but also, both boys were strong and healthy at birth, regardless. I got plenty of exercise as I worked during both pregnancies, and built-in with working, I had to walk at least 20 blocks per day (10 blocks total linked to catching buses to work, and to return home). One thing I failed to do during that pregnancy cost me in the long run--I'll mention that cost later.


Fourth: The only pain meds I ever received in connection with my pregnancies was DEMEROL, which I was given when I began to lose my first pregnancy. As for *blocks*, at the time, blocks were available and in use, but not offered to Black women during natural labor--at least, not done here in Phx. Black women here had to deliver 'all' of our children 'au naturel'. It wasn't until the '90s that blocks were offered to all women in labor here, but as an option only.


Fifth: I am the 8th born of 10 kids (10 live births). Except for the 9th and 10th births which happened in a hospital, all of my mom's deliveries were done by a midwife. Rural setting, though (mid-50s)--no dedicated Negro clinics/hospitals around, so I wound up being born on a farm.


Sixth: My dad's mom died during childbirth (midwife situation, again). She had had 5 prior healthy births, but for some unknown reason she couldn't deliver her 6th child. Both didn't make it.


All that (up there) is the reason why I think it wise should a pregnant woman use all of the basic tools that are available to her in order to safely carry her pregnancies to term in a healthy way.


Affordability: FIND *the money*. Find the free services. Move to less expensive digs if you gotta do that. Approach affordability thoughtfully, carry out your plans, but *make sure* you don't automatically disdain 'what is available or doable' UNLESS you and she feels confident that what's available/doable is unnecessary.


My mistake: During my second pregnancy, I didn't always take my prenatal vitamins. Didn't have the means to eat well all of the time. Money was TIGHT! I had daycare expenses that weren't subsidized. Thankfully, my baby was OK if low birthweight; but, that rascal drew so much from me that my *teeth weakened*!


NUTRITION during pregnancy is no joke! Cost me a grip to get fillings less than a year later. In the affordability battle, CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES *wisely*, OK?


Peaceful carry and delivery to you both.


One Love, and PEACE