Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development

My husband and I were foster five years.  We were blessed to have a wonderful little girl live with us for over two years and her older sister for a year.  These children came to us because of their mother’s addiction to drugs.  Because of her addiction, the younger child was exposed to drugs during the pregnancy. The older child was exposed to drugs in her living environment as well as hunger and a very chaotic living situation.  Even though the young boy lived with us off and on from birth to age four and the older sister for a year, the Department of Family and Children Services felt it was best to reunite the children with the mother.  We continued to foster a relationship with the children and their mother. Even though we were happy the children could be with mother, we were sad to see their living conditions.  It is evident the children live in an environment that lacks structure and there was limited food.  We offer assistance and resources to the family from time to time.  However we have resolved that this mother of three must learn to be self-sufficient and parent her children successfully on her own.

There are children in the U.S. that are experiencing hunger and chaotic situations do to parents being substance.  Recently I saw a news story where children were in the home while parents were creating the drug methadone. I could only image the everyday lives of these children.  There home was evidentally not well care for and the parents look as if they had not properly cared for themselves. Children that are in these types of situations usually experience various levels of maltreatment.  There can be brain development and cognitive issues from birth.  Also, these children may also experience physical or mental abuse that could leave them depressed and withdraw socially.  There may also be some learning deficits. It is sad to know children experience such negative things in the very important developmental years of their lives

Nursing Mothers

Before becoming a mother, my husband and I decided that breastfeeding would be the form of nourish for our future baby because of the nutritional and health benefits.  I also felt as a future mother it would be a great bonding experience for me and our baby.  After having our both of our sons, I found it to be a wonderful experience because it did add to our bonding experience.  It was also amazing to see the changes the breast milk undergo as the boys got older to fit their nutritional needs.  I breast fed for up six months of both of their lives and then stopped because of the demands of my job.  However I encourage future mothers if comfortable to definitely allow that experience for their baby. 

The World Health Organization recommends mothers worldwide to exclusively breast feed infants for the child’s first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health.  Afterwards, babies should be given nutritious complementary foods and continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond.  As I research breastfeeding around the world I found some very interesting traditions.  In most African countries women that do not breastfeed are frowned upon.  Nursing in public is acceptable; women uncover in public places without issue feed their babies.  Also, women are encouraged to nurse children up to age two.    In the country of Ghana, if a mother does not publicly breastfeed a crying baby it is assumed the baby is an orphan.  I found most interesting that breastfeeding in public in the United States is still not quite accepted because of how women’s bodies are perceived. 

As a preschool educator, I believe it is important to continue to encourage women to breastfeed.  Within the National Association for the Education of Young accreditation, centers seeking this accreditation are encouraged to provide a designated location for mothers to nurse there infants during the school day.  This aids in ensuring a child’s nutritional well-being and growth. 

Reference:

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2011). Health accreditation Standard.  Retrieved May 14, 2011 from http://lms.naeyc.org/icohere/custompages/naeycsearch/search_framer.cfm

World Health Organization. (2011). Exclusive Breastfeeding. Retrieved May 13, 2011 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2011/breastfeeding_20110115/en/index.html

My Personal Birthing Experience and Birth Experiences Around the World

I have had the memorable opportunity of giving birth twice to two boys 21 months apart.  My labor process with my oldest son started while I was viewing a movie in the theater and was later induced at the hospital.  This birth was a little stressful because of the induction my labor pains were more pronounced.  I labored for 12 hours and after five pushes he was out. The most memorable part of his birth was the fact of him having an ABO incompatibility.  Basically, I have O+ blood my son has his father’s blood type and this led to him developing jaundice. I was never educated on this possibility.  He spent five days in the hospital and then came home.

My second son’s birthing process went very quick.  I woke up with a sharp cramp and my water breaking at 3:30 a.m.  I took a bumpy ride with my husband driving to the hospital during a storm. I received an epidural at 6:00 a.m. then I felt an overwhelming need to bear down.  I called for the nurse to let her know what was happening with me. She stated it would probably be a while before I delivered, I insisted she check me. She did and found my youngest son was crowning.  Consequently, I had a nature childbirth @ 6:05 a.m. and my epidural had reach my knees. * Special Note - I was stilled charged for the epidural.  I chose my birthing experiences because they were two of the greatest days of my life.

I feel that the birthing process should be approach with great care.  There are so many things that can happen during this time that could negatively affect the mother and baby.  These affects can have impacts on child development such as if there is an injury that occurs during birth.  These injuries could include brain injury from lack of oxygen during prolonged deliveries or a broken bone.

As I research births around the world, I found interesting information regarding several countries:

In the Netherlands, mothers are encouraged to see midwifes and give birth naturally. If the birth experience goes well mothers is release from the hospital two hours later.

In Germany, mothers are encouraged to see midwifes, can not be fired from their job once pregnancy is confirmed and can take a total of fourteen weeks off with pay, 3 years without pay.

In Japan, mothers attempt to avoid epidural because of Japanese belief the pain experienced prepares mothers for the challenging role of motherhood. Also fathers are not permitted in the birthing room if he has not had prenatal classes.  Mothers must also live with her parents for a month after the baby is born and stay in bed with the baby for 21 days.

This research experience is so interesting because of the focus placed on utilizing nurse midwives.  Nurse midwives are highly regarding over doctors in other countries.  Also I found it very interesting in Germany the job protection that is offered to expectant mothers.  In the U.S., traditionally mothers are only given six weeks off after giving birth and must use vacation or sick time to cover this time.  This can sometimes be a hardship on families.