Growing Up with Violence

Growing up as a child in Baltimore City, violence was prevalent in my community. The neighborhood in which I lived was considered highly dangerous mainly because of the gangs that surrounded the area. Gunshots would ring out nightly especially on weekends. The news channels often covered stories of shootings and other violent offenses that happened in my neighborhood on a daily basis. While attending school, my classmates would often discuss the shooting that took place the night before and more often than not it was always someone whom we’ve known. The students would often come up with their own reasoning as to why the shootings occurred and they began to obsess over the idea of gang-related crimes. It would often sadden me that my classmates were more interested in who shot who and their motive behind it than to talk about more exciting things like going skating and to the movies. It was unfortunate how the crimes in my community corrupted the minds of up and coming generation and the negative impact that it had on their way of thinking.

Although violence plague my neighborhood and corrupted the minds of my peers, it had a very different impact on me and my childhood. I was aware of what was happening right outside my door but my family was well connected and well respected in the community that we were not personal affected by it. My grandmother owned a store on the corner of a busy intersection in the city and my house sat on top of it. Many people in the neighborhood would come to the store and talk with my grandmother especially the young people. She would share her wisdom and give them advice, some would follow but many would not. She became the adopted grandmother of the neighborhood which gained her respect amongst everyone even the most violent gang members. Since my grandmother was well respected, it benefitted the family greatly. Our family was protected against the violence and I was able to live a life of security verses fear. My mother also played a vital role in keeping me safe by taking me out of the neighborhood for playdates and other fun things to keep me entertained. She tried her best to shield and protect me from all harm and danger. We were not the wealthiest but my mother made sure she keep me out of harm’s way and allowed me to be a child in a safe environment. With the help and support of my family, I was able to grow up in a less stressful environment than my peers.  

As an adult living in Baltimore City, many things are different than my childhood. I feel more stressed now than I did back then. The violence has increased, people became more aggressive and reckless and they are constant on edge. The unemployment rate has increased and paying jobs have decrease and even the people that you would least expect is turning to violence as a means to an end. It breaks my heart that some of the children that I work with turn every toy they play with into a gun and pretend to shoot at their peers. When they make the sound “bang-bang” and can barely recite their alphabet, I cringe in disappointment. In 2015, after the death of Freddie Gray the city had turned upside down and it was the first time in my life that I experienced a riot. People were breaking in stores, burning things down and protesting erratically. It was a horrible sight. Everything that we took years to build was torn down in minutes. It was a disgrace. Following Gray’s death, the homicides in the city increased rapidly making the final toll 344 in 2015.

Violence has impacted children all around the world in many ways. According to U.S Passports and International Travel, Honduras was named the world’s most dangerous and violent country. U.S. citezens were worn not to travel to this country due to the high crime rates. “Since 2010, Honduras has had one of the highest murder rates in the world, and the U.S. Embassy has recorded 42 murders of U.S. citizens during the same time period, with 10 recorded since January 2014. However, official statistics from the Honduran Observatory on National Violence show Honduras’ homicide rate has decreased to 66 per 100,000 in 2014, down from its peak of 86.5 per 100,000 in 2011, and mid-year estimates in July 2015 predict a lower rate for 2015”( U.S Passports and International Travel 2015).

“As a Honduran, you have nearly a one-in-1,000 chance of being murdered. With a population roughly equal to Virginia's, 36 Hondurans were kidnapped, 7,104 became homicide victims, and 24,808 were robbed in 2011 (most recent data). With only 3,645 assaults for the same period, you're more likely to be killed than hurt”( Loiseau 2014). These statistics are alarming and I can only imagine how it is affecting the children in Honduras.  It is said that the violence stems for the coca plants and drug trafficking in Honduras. “The Latin American country serves as a key staging ground for cocaine shipments to the U.S, and drug gangs will do anything to defend their turf”( Loiseau 2014).  The children in Honduras suffer tremendously and I would like to learn more about how it is affecting their growth and development and in what ways we can break this vicious cycle of violence before they grow into corrupt adults.

References

Loiseau, J. 2014  The World’s 3 Most Dangerous Countries. Retrieved from: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/18/the-worlds-3-most-dangerous-countries.aspx

U.S Passports and International Travel. 2015  Honduras Travel Warning. Retrieved from: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/honduras-travel-warning.html

 

 

 

My Experience with Breastfeeding

              After experiencing a challenging pregnancy and speaking with a Lactation Consultant, I knew that I wanted to breast feed my son.  The first time I held and nursed him, I was so nervous yet excited at the same time. I was unsure if I was doing it right but I wanted to keep trying until I got the hang of it. After a couple of attempts I got the hang of it and he latched on perfectly. Once I got it down packed, I felt empowered like I was becoming a mini pro at it. I always looked forward to nursing my son because that was our special bonding time. I always called it our cuddle time. He would get excited every time I got him in position to nurse. He would kick his legs and when he was able to smile he would look up at me and smile. I would always look down at him and would sing a song that I would make up off the top of my head.

Although I was successful at nursing, I was not very successful at pumping. Pumping was so annoying. I did not enjoy it at all. It was time consuming and it took so much to only get a little bit of milk out. I had my son all the time during his first year so even when he spent time with his dad I was there to nurse him on demand. I breast fed for six months only because by six months my son had six teeth and he bit me so hard one day that it brought me to tears. After the bite I was done. No more breast milk for him. Although I wanted to breastfeed for a year, I am still happy that I was able to at least do it for six months.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mothers exclusively breastfeed infants for their first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health, yet globally less than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. However, in many poorer parts of the world where water is not clean, food may be scarce and formula expensive, breastfeeding can make a critical difference in children’s health, well-being and life expectancy”(Staff 2012). In many developing countries breastfeeding your baby gives your baby a higher survival rate. A study was conducted in Ghana and here were the results,

“A study done in a rural area of Ghana evaluated the time of first breastfeeding after birth. Breastfeeding was initiated within the first 24 hrs after birth in 71% of infants. The later the start of breastfeeding the greater the risk of neonatal death. Infants given any food or fluids before breastfeeding was established on day 1 of life also had higher risk of neonatal mortality. The authors estimated that 22% of neonatal deaths (death between 2 and 28 days of age) could be prevented by starting breastfeeding within 1 hr of birth” (Edmond, 2006).

“A large study in Nepal of 22,838 breastfed newborns who lived until at least 48 hours of age, found that only 3.4% of infants were breastfed within the first hour or life and only 57% were breastfed within the first 24 hours of life. They estimated that 19% of all neonatal deaths could be avoided by initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of life” (Mullany, 2008).

Breastfeeding for many mothers in developing countries can be the matter of life and death, whereas in countries that are developed have other feeding options.

            Breastfeeding have so many benefits and is so many reasons to choose it.

“Breast milk helps keep your baby healthy.

·        It supplies all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions.

·        It protects against allergies, sickness, and obesity.

·        It protects against diseases, like diabetes and cancer.

·        It protects against infections, like ear infections.

·        It is easily digested – no constipation, diarrhea or upset stomach.

·        Babies have healthier weights as they grow.

·        Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests.

Breast milk changes constantly to meet babies' needs.

The milk changes in volume and composition according to the time of day, nursing frequency, and age of baby to promote healthy growth. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby.

Breast milk is always ready and good for the environment.”

·        It is available wherever and whenever your baby needs it.

·        It is always at the right temperature, clean and free.

·        No bottles to clean.

·        Breastfeeding has no waste, so it is good for the environment.

Since I have experienced breastfeeding first hand and I have witnessed the effects it has on a baby’s development, I will try to encourage the mothers at my center to try it. I would suggest to my employer to have a Lactation Consultant come and host a workshop that will explain the benefits of breastfeeding. The Lactation Consultant will demonstrate how to breastfeed and the correct positioning when doing so. They will also demonstrate how to pump milk by using a breast pump and what proper garments should be worn while breastfeeding. In partnership with my employer and the Lactation Consultant, I will offer emotional support to the mothers because I know how the experience can be. Hopefully, my efforts will be effective and more mothers at my center will consider breastfeeding.

 

References

Staff 2012. Breastfeeding Around the World Retrieved from: http://www.incultureparent.com/2012/03/breastfeeding-around-the-world

Breastfeeding Around the World: Statistics on Breastfeeding Around the World. Retrieved from: http://www.breastfeedingbasics.org/cgibin/deliver.cgi/content/International/imp_statistics.html

Why is Breastfeeding Important? Retrieved from: http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/breastfeeding/importance.htm

 

.

 

 

Childbirth in Africa

Childbirth in South Africa differ from childbirth in the U.S, however they both share some similarities. In South Africa, women give birth in hospitals, birthing centers and at home with doulas, midwives and doctors. Generally in the U.S., women give birth in hospitals with doctors and nurses. Women who live in rural areas, give birth in the district hospitals or community centers but the maternal rate is high. In areas that are heavily populated, women give birth in central hospitals but they are overcrowded. Women that are in the private sector have the choice to give birth at home. If a women choose to give birth at home, then after the baby is born the woman goes to the hospital for post-natal care and so that the baby can see the pediatrician. The difference in care in the geographic location reminds me of the difference in care in for low and high income women in the U.S.

“For many women, childbirth is a natural and beautiful experience through which new life is brought into the world. But for women who live in developing countries such as Niger, India or Uganda, childbirth is a risky endeavor”(Russell 2011). When I read this statement it really got me thinking, “Wow there are many women around the world who cannot experience the joy of giving birth and that they could potentially lose their life in the process.” After doing some research, I have discovered that in South Africa there is a high maternal and infant mortality rate. It has been said that, “Each year, approximately 529,000 women die during childbirth or from complications during pregnancy, and approximately 90 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries. The maternal death rate in these developing regions is approximately 300 times higher than those in developed countries”(Russell 2011). Those statistics are alarming and it is an issue that needs to be addressed. “The 10 countries with the highest risk of maternal death, according to UNICEF, are Niger, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Chad, Angola, Liberia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea-Bissau and Mali. For every woman who dies, another 20 suffer illness or injury. The most common causes of maternal deaths, according to UNICEF, are hemorrhaging, infection, obstructed labor, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and complications from an unsafe abortion”(Russell 2011). Every woman deserves to experience childbirth in a healthy way and it is unfortunate that many women in developing countries are not able to.

References

Retrieved from: Russell, K (2011). http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/3834.cfm

Retrieved from: http://southafrica.angloinfo.com/healthcare/pregnancy-birth/giving-birth/

 

My Journey to Motherhood (Pregnancy and Birth of My Son)

In May 2010, I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant and I felt an array of emotions. I was nervous, anxious, excited and somewhat confused. I really did not know what to expect because it was my first time being pregnant. After I attended my first appointment to confirm my pregnancy, I began to get more excited and less nervous. I began preparing for my new journey to motherhood and I began eating healthier, getting the proper rest I needed and taking my prenatal vitamins. When I was about 8 weeks pregnant, I went to my OB/GYN to get my first trimester testing done. Confident that everything was fine, since things seemed to have went well for my initial appointment, I received a phone call that I needed to the doctor’s office to discuss my test results. My heart began to race and I instantly began to think that this cannot be good. I was so confused and I was trying figure out what could be the issue. I thought everything was fine with my baby. I started changing my eating habits, taking my prenatal vitamins and doing all the “right” things I am supposed to do while pregnant and for the life of me I could not understand how something could be wrong. When I got to the doctor’s office, they explained my test results and they said my baby tested high for Down syndrome and that I have been exposed to Parvovirus and I was considered a high risk pregnancy. I was in total shock. I was very confused as to how that was so, and then I thought “what in the world is Parvovirus and how was I exposed to it.” I had to have asked the doctor a billion and one questions that day and even still after that I was still lost and confused.

The doctor explained that in order to confirm whether or not my son will have Down syndrome I could either get a CVS when I am 10 weeks pregnant or I could wait until I am 15 weeks to get an Amniocentesis. I asked what is the difference between the test and the doctor explained that the Amniocentesis have a more accurate result but it carries a high risk of preterm labor and a small risk of miscarriage. I was so scared that it was a possibility I could lose my baby trying to get this test done, but I knew I needed to get one of them done to find out about the Down syndrome so I opted for the Amniocenteses.  When I reached 15 weeks, I got the Amino done. To my surprise, the test came back negative and I was over joyed. The test also confirmed that I was pregnant with a baby boy and I was even more excited. That joy was short lived because three days after the Amino, I had to go to the Center for Advance Fetal Care at University of Maryland Medical Center to find out about the Parvovirus. Still a bit confused about what Parvovirus was and how I have been “exposed” to it and most importantly how it is affecting my unborn son, I went to the center to find out more information. When I got there, the sonographer did an ultra sound to check on my son. The sonographer kept looking at the screen and she had a fearful look on her face. I started to get very scared and immediately I thought “Could I be losing my baby?” The sonographer left out of the room and went to get the doctor and a few other staff members. The doctor checked the ultra sound and he too had a fearful look on his face. I started to cry and I asked “What is going on? Is he alright?” The doctors turned to me and said he has to get an emergency blood transfusion. I said “What? Why?” The doctor replied that my son is severely anemic and he is not producing any red blood cells on his own and he has to get a blood transfusion immediately for him to survive. I was devastated to hear that my son’s life was in jeopardy. Immediately I was being prepped for the transfusion and within two hours the procedure was performed.

Thankfully, the transfusion was done because if I would have waited another day then the likelihood of my son surviving was very slim. Shortly after the transfusion, I was whisked away to the labor and delivery unit because I started to have contractions and the doctors thought I was going into preterm labor. Only 16 weeks pregnant going into preterm labor was fatal for my son. The doctors were able to stop the contractions in time and thank God my son life was saved!  A week later I had to go back to the hospital because my son needed to get yet another blood transfusion since the first one did not take. This time the doctors gave me some steroids to help my son’s lungs and other organs get stronger just in case I went into preterm labor. Luckily, that time the transfusion was successful and I did not have any complications afterwards.

As the weeks progressed in my pregnancy, I was closely monitored and I went to the Center for Advanced Fetal Care for 4 days out of week until I was 8months. When I was 37 weeks, I had to go to the hospital for monitoring for 6 days out of the week. The whole staff knew me personally because they saw me almost every day. On Jan. 19, 2011, I went to the hospital for what I thought would be my normal monitoring checks, but that was not the case on this day. The sonographer had a fearful look on her face, again, and she ran out the room to get the doctors and other staff, again. All I can say was “Lord, please let my baby come out alive.” The doctors said to me, “We have to take you to labor and delivery now because things are not looking good.” I was devastated yet again but hopeful since my due date was Jan. 21. I was praying my whole time getting prepped. The doctors gave me Pitocin to induce my labor. The doctors had to break my water and I got an epidural at 4cm. About 5:45am I started to feel sharp pains in my abdomen and I thought I had to do #2. The nurse said if I did then just go in the bed pan. I started to push but nothing came out so I laid back down. Then I felt the sharp pain again and I was getting upset since nothing was coming out. So the nurse checked my cervix and I was fully dilated. She immediately got the doctor since apparently I was in active labor when I thought I had to go do #2. At this time it was 6:05am, the nurse was telling me how to push when I feel the contraction. I had one leg in the stirrup and one leg still on the bed, I felt a contraction coming and I pushed. The nurse said the baby is crowning and I screamed “What?” My doctor barely had her gown on and just slipped on her gloves. The next contraction I pushed again and at 6:13am on Jan. 20, 2011, Tristan Skylar Tyson-Robinson was born.

             When I heard my son cry for the first time my heart skipped a beat and my eyes teared up with joy. After a tumultuous pregnancy and a quick delivery my son was finally here. The doctors allowed me to get one kiss before whisking him away to the NICU. It took about 8 hours before I could see him again because they had to run a few test. When I was able to see him, the only thing I could do was cry. It was tears of joy, relief, anxiety and nervousness. I was also a bit upset because I could not hold him and I could only touch him through the glass crib. I could hardly sleep the first night at the hospital although the nurses said I should get all the sleep I could get. All I did was think about the well-being of my newborn. The next morning, the doctor came with the test results and the results revealed that my son had a heart condition and a kidney issue. I was at a loss for words and all I could do was pray and thank God that he was alive. I knew that after the rough pregnancy I had it was a strong possibility that my son would have some health challenges and I was mentally prepared to take on whatever challenges it might be. With my faith deep rooted in God and great healthcare, today I am a proud mother of a healthy, active and precocious soon to be five year old little boy. I am so blessed to have him as my son.