Becoming a mother is an exciting time in any woman’s life; however, it does come with a variety of decisions that need to be made before the baby is actually born. Understanding the ins and outs of the key issues relating to motherhood will help smooth the decision making process so that women are able to make an educated choice. A few key issues that every mother should consider include:
Storing Birthing Remains:
Thanks to the advances in modern medicine, mothers now have the possibility of public cord blood donation or saving the baby’s cord blood in a family blood bank. The umbilical cord blood is full of stem cells that have not yet taken a shape of specific cells in the body. As a result, it often falls into a similar category as other stem cell research despite the fact that the baby is born and healthy.
The benefit of cord blood is that it has many medical possibilities. While research is still underway of all the potential applications, it has been known to help cases of certain cancers and injuries that have otherwise been considered impossible to heal, such as damage to the brain from injuries. However, choosing to bank the blood can be expensive, so it is best to research and decide on whether or not its storage is right for you and your family prior to your child’s birth.
When and Where Feeding is Appropriate:
Nearly all mothers understand the health benefits to breastfeeding their child; however, many struggle with knowing when, where, and how to breastfeed in public. In recent years, there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding public breastfeeding as many mothers are now fighting back for their right to do so without harassment.
While breast pumps are available so that mothers can use a bottle while out in public or for when others are watching the baby, it isn’t always easy. Some babies will not take to a bottle or will have trouble drinking from a bottle. Ultimately, mothers must decide their belief and make a choice based on their ideas about what is appropriate and what is best for their child.
Opting for a Hospital Room or Bedroom:
As more women reject the idea of an epidural or a Cesarean section, many are leaning towards the idea of having a home birth. Women who opt for a home birth might feel more comfortable than going to a hospital, and often feel like they are more likely to bond with their child. However, others like the feeling of having a doctor close at hand, even though home births require the close attention of a skilled midwife.
Understanding the choices women have when it comes to giving birth and the decisions of raising a child is important to making a decision. Mothers should always decide based on factual information and their personal beliefs.
