As I look around, I see warm colors and a basic furniture layout...an entertainment shelf, a couch, large basic tv, and various machinery monitoring my heart rate, pulse, and my first baby girl's heart rate. I have been looking at this same room layout for 4 weeks--ever since I was advised that I needed to be on bedrest until I reach term (36 months) for my first pregnancy. I knew it would be a long solitary confinement for the next few weeks, and I knew at that time it would be an interesting experience.
I was 21 years old when I became pregnant with my first daughter. I was working at the time at Kohl's Department Store in Cordova, TN, and instead of gaining large amounts of weight like a normal pregnancy, I lost over 25 pounds of the course of my pregnancy. I remember going to work one day (as a sales floor associate for housewares) at Kohl's, and after going against the doctor's orders--I did a good deal of heavy lifting and arranging the items that were on the houseware's floor. I then remember the rest in flashes...I was standing behind the Customer Service desk helping a woman locate an item at another store...I began to perspire and feel light-headed...then in the next instance, I recall the woman literally jumping over the little wooden flapping door that led behind the register and a scream about calling an Ambulance. I had passed out! According to one of my co-workers, I fell out while assisting the young woman, and landed right on my stomach. The next thing I remember was whirling in the back of an ambulance, followed by waking up in a small hospital room. Several tests were run to make sure myself and the baby were okay--and after finding that everything was presumably okay, I was to follow up with my OBGYN.
After following up with my doctor I found out that the hospital diagnosed me with having a short cervix and being a high-risk pregnancy. Believe it or not, it was after passing out a second time, again at work, that I was placed on bed rest in the hospital...forced to voluntarily resign from my job, because I had no protection of maternity leave, even though I had been employed at Kohls for over a year...
Flashforward--I remember being induced for labor, only to moments be rushed into the operating room for an ALLEGED necessary C-Section. Though I had suspicions about the manner in which my delivery was handled--holding on to the little body of my firstborn daughter was a truly surreal experience. My sister who was 3 years younger than me was there, to help welcome this small chocolate chip into the world, and the radiance of female energy flowed into her small vibrant body.
My birthing experience, little did I know at that time, was the first of 5 deliveries that I would bring forth into the galaxy. Each experience more different than the next; more lessons learned as mother nature gently lured me along the narrow path. Because I was just starting my undergrad, I did school work (papers and tests) after each c-section was performed...with the nurses saying I was crazy for trying to pry my fleshly cut body in an upright position and complete course-work...but I knew I was fighting for something greater....I was fighting for the future.
In the country of Ghana, birth (just as in all African Countries) is seen as a divine ceremony of life...a bringing forth from the ancestors and Gods. Before the birth of a child in some tribes of Ghana, a mother was told to refrain from doing certain superstious acts such as: looking at an ugly animal/deformed person(such as a monkey) and also staying away from items that lacked beauty. This was emphasized because it was believed that if an expectant mother looked upon an item/person of deformity or "unsightliness" it could cause the baby to take on an unpleasant appearance at birth! In certain tribes in Ghana, it was also said that the mothers and babies might receive an inscribed mark on the face in order to recognize them if they were to "reincarnate" and to take away any followed spiritual powers.
When the baby is born, according to Accan tradition, a baby is given 7 days to make sure that the baby is safe and 'here to stay' within this land of the living. After it is determined that the baby is in good health, a very important ceremony, called an outdooring takes place. This ceremony (depending on the gender of the child) is seen as a welcoming ceremony into this realm, and a libation (or dedication) to the ancestor to see the potential of the gift that was given. The ceremony is guided by an elder of good character (male or female depending on the gender of the baby) and a series of small tests of endurance take place with the baby, such as moving the baby gently around with your foot, in order evaluate the strength--followed by the VERY important naming of the baby takes place. Once the baby is named, to seal the deal, a strong (usually a palm wine) is brushed across the baby's lips to set the name and purpose in life...in stone. Here is a video that shows one of the ceremonies:
Sources: /http://myghanaroots.com/2013/12/31/ghanaian_birth_customs/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB01-_2XYvs
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