Types of childbirth among women in different countries. How childbirth differs in different countries of the world. Husband is always there

It seems that everything is the same: contractions, pushing, birth, but in each country the management of childbirth has its own characteristics. We are used to thinking that, of course, everything is worse with us than with others. However…

If you want to give birth, pay money

It turns out that under the compulsory medical insurance policy you cannot give birth abroad. Thus, in the USA, childbirth costs a woman in labor a tidy sum (up to 15 thousand dollars for a cesarean and about 10 thousand dollars for a natural birth, plus 10 thousand dollars for a hospital stay). By the way, America and Australia are the most expensive countries in terms of . Insurance, which they purchase in advance, helps expectant mothers save money. But even with it you have to pay extra (about 2 thousand dollars).

Maternity hospital? What is this?

In many countries there are no maternity hospitals at all, only departments at hospitals. This is how it works, for example, in America, where the birth is attended by an on-duty doctor - one for the entire department. The rest of the doctors are busy managing. In addition, there are special birth centers that focus mainly on natural childbirth (without surgical intervention).

The disclosure is still scanty! Go home!

This is what we have in Russia, if the dilatation is still small, the woman in labor is still left in the maternity hospital. Abroad, everything is tough: “Contractions less than every 5 minutes? Why did you come then? Go home! You’ll come later!” Of course, they only have one department in the hospital, there are not enough places!

Husband is always there

But this fact can be envied. Abroad (USA, Israel), a woman may have relatives and friends near her during childbirth (in Israel the limit is no more than 2 accompanying persons), and after the baby is born, the husband stays overnight with his wife and child - even for him in the ward allocate a separate bed! They say that doctors don’t even feel comfortable if a woman gives birth and lies in the hospital alone!

Scrimmage match

A TV in the delivery room is not uncommon in some countries, for example, in Israel. And if you ask local doctors why he is needed there, they will be surprised: “What will the husband do while his wife is giving birth?”

Childbirth in the villa

Do you want to visit the villa? Israeli women too, especially during childbirth, and so that the villa is closer to the hospital. Women in labor who do not want to go to a clinic rent a villa and hire a midwife. This way, childbirth takes place with maximum comfort and in a homely atmosphere. If something goes wrong, you can always quickly move to the hospital, it’s nearby.

It's good in the hospital, but better at home

This is how Dutch women decide, because giving birth in a hospital is an expensive pleasure, and the insurance company pays for childbirth only for special indications: caesarean section, more than 42 weeks, complications. But the insurance company sends expectant mothers everything they need for a home birth: sheets, towels, diapers, cosmetics, umbilical cord clamps. So, women, go ahead, handle it yourself! If you don’t know how, train on cats!

Ancestral hotels

This is also common in Holland. They are used by women who do not want to give birth at home and can afford to allocate additional funds to rent a hotel. They rent a room and wait for labor to begin, then call a midwife to perform the birth.

Did you give birth? Time to go home!

In the hospital (if the birth took place there) mother and child are not kept for long. Thus, in the United States, they are discharged within two days after a natural birth or 3 days after a cesarean section. But while the woman is in the clinic, she is taken care of with all her might: every half hour or hour a nurse comes and asks about her well-being, and before discharge, the new mother receives detailed instructions on how to care for the baby.

1. Umbilical cord packing in wooden box (Japan)

When a child gets their hair cut for the first time, most people keep a lock of hair, others keep the child's first shoe... But Japanese mothers take care of the umbilical cord. In Japanese hospitals, the baby's umbilical cord is packed in a wooden box and given to the mother at the time of discharge.Sometimes a doll in a kimono is placed in the box, which symbolizes the child’s soul. The kimono can be unfolded and the umbilical cord placed inside. It is believed that storing the umbilical cord in this way ensures a positive bond between the child and the mother. A week after the birth of the child, the new parents and close relatives perform the Oshichiya ceremony for the child, during which the child receives his official name in front of the home altar.

2. Street sleeping for babies (Denmark and Sweden)

Would you leave your baby outside in the cold during nap time? Most Scandinavian parents don't even ask this question. For them, it is part of their daily routine, due to the belief that cold air helps babies sleep and eat better. Danish and Swedish babies spend the day sleeping on the balcony or outside while their mothers and fathers go shopping or cafes. In addition, most kindergartens in Sweden put children to sleep outside, despite the low temperatures. The theory behind outdoor sleeping is that children exposed to fresh air, summer and winter, are less likely to catch a cold. Parents believe that being in the same room with 30 other children all day brings negative results. The Danish State Department of Health also recommends this practice. Some companies even make baby alarms that let parents know when their babies wake up.

3. Every newborn receives a “mother and baby box” from the government (Finland)

There is a saying that “every child is born with a loaf of bread in his hand.” Well, in Finland babies are born with a box! For 75 years, the state has given a box to pregnant women in Finland. This is a starter set of clothes, diapers and toys, and the box can even be used as a bed. Mothers have a choice between receiving a box or cash, which is currently 140 euros ($190), but 95% choose the box as its contents are worth much more. Originally created for low-income families, the box became available to all parents in 1949. It has been a staple of the new parenthood ever since and a sign that no matter what stratum of society they are born into, all Finnish babies receive equal rights at the start of their lives.

4. Shaking a newborn in a large sieve to help him get used to the vagaries of life (Egypt)

In modern Egypt, life and the number seven are inextricably linked. It is on the seventh day of life that the child is shown to the world in a ceremony called Sebukh. According to tradition, the mother places the baby, dressed in white clothes, in a large sieve and shakes it gently to help the newborn get used to the vagaries of life. Next, the baby is placed on a blanket on the floor with a knife placed along his chest to ward off evil spirits, while the guests scatter grain, gold and gifts around him. All these are symbols of the abundance that is desired for a child. The mother knocks on the child's body seven times to ward off evil spirits, while the guests chant incantations to ensure that the child always obeys the mother. A procession of fire and incense follows the new mother, lighting the way. Singing children and guests follow her with candles and incense to bless the house and its inhabitants. During Sebuha, a name is chosen for the child by lighting several candles at the beginning of the ceremony, each corresponding to the child's name. The candle that burns the longest indicates the child's name.

5. Place the child on the floor with symbolic objects laid out on it to find out his future (Armenia)

When a child cuts his first tooth, Armenian parents celebrate with the Agra Khadig ceremony. They sit the child on the floor and place symbolic objects in front of him, such as a tape measure, stethoscope, spatula, book and others. Parents ask the child to choose one of them. The object that the child chooses and plays with symbolizes his future. For example, if a boy chooses a roulette wheel, it means that he will be an architect or engineer. Of course, only time will tell.

6. Parents of a child hand out red-dyed eggs as a symbol of happiness and the beginning of life (China)

In Chinese families, when a baby turns one month old, they hold a Full Moon ceremony to commemorate the first month of life. This is the first important event for a newborn baby. On the morning of the 30th day, relatives and friends gather to give blessings and gifts to the newborn. The child's parents also give gifts to their relatives and friends. The types of gifts vary by place, but red-dyed eggs are the most popular gift, probably because in Chinese culture, eggs are a symbol of the changing process of life. Their round shape is a symbol of a harmonious and happy life, while the red color is a symbol of happiness. During the celebration, relatives and friends also give gifts. Grandparents usually give their gold and silver to their grandson to show their deep love. Of course, parents and the newborn also receive modern gifts such as baby clothes, toys, books and gift vouchers, but the most common is money wrapped in red paper.

7. The placenta and umbilical cord are hidden in a safe place, and a tree is planted in this place (Jamaica)

Of course, you've heard this quote many times: "Every man should plant a tree, raise a son and build a house." In Jamaica, all parents have to do is build a house, since the rest has already been done! According to Jamaican tradition, after the mother gives birth, the placenta and umbilical cord are buried in a special place and a tree is planted there. The tree is cared for by parents, godparents or other relatives and friends. The tree is a pedagogical tool that teaches the child to take responsibility in life, as it is used to show the child that this is the beginning of his life and he must take care of it. This tradition comes from the Jamaican expression: “Home is where your umbilical cord is buried,” which symbolizes spiritual closeness to the place from which each person came.

8. Babies' feet should not touch the ground as newborns are a blessing from heaven (Bali)

While some parents around the world don't feel comfortable leaving their little ones playing on the floor, Balinese babies' feet shouldn't touch the ground until their 210th day of life because the baby is considered a divine being who came down from heaven. When a child's feet touch the ground for the first time, it symbolizes the crossing of a certain boundary, after which the child becomes a person.

9. Put money in the hands of a newborn to bring him prosperity (Trinidad and Tobago)

In Trinidad and Tobago, when people visit a newborn baby, they usually give money directly into his hands to bring prosperity and blessings. Another custom from this country is that some parents do not allow people to enter their house after 18:00, as it is believed that the evening dew disgusts the child.

10. Twenty or more baby names (Nigeria)

On the seventh day after the birth of a Nigerian girl and on the ninth day after the birth of a boy, the child is endowed with certain properties, which usually manifest as taste on the lips of the mother and child. They are given water so that they have no enemies, palm oil so that they have a smooth and easy life, bitter Kola (a type of nut eaten in Nigeria) so that they have a long life, and pepper and salt to fill the sweet life with emotions, meaning and happiness. Then they choose a name for the child. In addition to the surname, the child is given several other names. One of them describes the circumstances surrounding the birth. For example, the name Idow means "child born after twins." Another example, if an older woman in a certain society died just before a girl was born, the girl would be called Yetunde, or "return of the mother." Parents often have a diminutive name that indicates what they see in their child, such as Ayoke, "one who is blessed," or Titilayo, "eternal happiness." On this day, parents announce the name of the child they have chosen, and relatives are invited to add additional names if they wish. Before they call out names, they are asked to place a symbol (money contribution) in the baby's basket. After everyone has had a chance to name the child, the money symbols are collected and given to the parents to open an account. As a result, the child may receive twenty or more names! The ceremony ends with prayers and then everyone moves on to feasting.

11. Mom prepares gifts for every person who visits the child (Brazil)

In Brazil, a pregnant woman prepares a basket of gifts that she gives to everyone who comes to the hospital when her baby is born. Typically, gifts are small, such as candy, refrigerator magnets, mini notepads, bags and even tiny bottles of perfume, all of which are chosen by the mother before the baby is born. Often the souvenirs include the child’s name and gratitude for visiting.

12. Hot stone massage and full body treatment to avoid postpartum changes (Malaysia)

After reading this point, every new mother will want to travel to Malaysia for postpartum treatment. Let us explain this fascinating Malaysian tradition. After the birth of a child, a young Malay mother undergoes a pantang or confinement period of approximately 44 days, which is intended to preserve the health and femininity of the mother. She receives hot stone massage to cleanse the uterus and receives a full body treatment to soften and brighten the skin, correcting postpartum body changes. New mothers are not allowed to carry heavy items or do anything other than care for the baby. All housework falls on the husband and relatives, if they volunteer to help, or hired people.

13. Boy or girl? (USA)

Americans have a tradition that appeared recently, but has already taken root quite well. The doctor who performs the ultrasound does not tell the future parents the sex of the child, but writes it on a piece of paper and seals it in an envelope. Future parents give the envelope to the baker, who must bake the cake. On the appointed day, friends and relatives gather for a holiday called “Gender reveal party”, where the cake is ceremoniously cut. If the cake filling is pink, it will be a girl. If it's blue, it's a boy.

It seems that everything is the same: contractions, pushing, birth, but in each country the management of childbirth has its own characteristics. We are used to thinking that, of course, everything is worse with us than with others. However…

If you want to give birth, pay money

It turns out that under the compulsory medical insurance policy you cannot give birth abroad. Thus, in the USA, childbirth costs a woman in labor a tidy sum (up to 15 thousand dollars for a cesarean and about 10 thousand dollars for a natural birth, plus 10 thousand dollars for a hospital stay). By the way, America and Australia are the most expensive countries for childbirth. Insurance, which they purchase in advance, helps expectant mothers save money. But even with it you have to pay extra (about 2 thousand dollars).

Maternity hospital? What is this?

In many countries there are no maternity hospitals at all, only departments at hospitals. This is how it works, for example, in America, where the birth is attended by an on-duty doctor—one for the entire department. The rest of the doctors are busy managing the pregnancy. In addition, there are special birth centers that focus mainly on natural childbirth (without surgical intervention).

The disclosure is still scanty! Go home!

Here in Russia, if labor contractions are still small, the woman in labor is still left in the maternity hospital. Abroad, everything is tough: “Contractions less than every 5 minutes? Why did you come then? Go home! You’ll come later!” Of course, they only have one department in the hospital, there are not enough places!

Husband is always there

But this fact can be envied. Abroad (USA, Israel), a woman may have relatives and friends near her during childbirth (in Israel the limit is no more than 2 accompanying persons), and after the baby is born, the husband stays overnight with his wife and child - even for him in the ward allocate a separate bed! They say that doctors don’t even feel comfortable if a woman gives birth and lies in the hospital alone!

Scrimmage match

A TV in the delivery room is not uncommon in some countries, for example, in Israel. And if you ask local doctors why he is needed there, they will be surprised: “What will the husband do while his wife is giving birth?”

Do you want to visit the villa? Israeli women too, especially during childbirth, and so that the villa is closer to the hospital. Women in labor who do not want to go to a clinic rent a villa and hire a midwife. This way, childbirth takes place with maximum comfort and in a homely atmosphere. If something goes wrong, you can always quickly move to the hospital, it’s nearby.

It's good in the hospital, but better at home

This is how Dutch women decide, because giving birth in a hospital is an expensive pleasure, and the insurance company pays for childbirth only for special indications: caesarean section, more than 42 weeks, complications. But the insurance company sends expectant mothers everything they need for a home birth: sheets, towels, diapers, cosmetics, umbilical cord clamps. So, women, go ahead, handle it yourself! If you don’t know how, train on cats!

Ancestral hotels

This is also common in Holland. They are used by women who do not want to give birth at home and can afford to allocate additional funds to rent a hotel. They rent a room and wait for labor to begin, then call a midwife to perform the birth.

Did you give birth? Time to go home!

In the hospital (if the birth took place there) mother and child are not kept for long. Thus, in the United States, they are discharged within two days after a natural birth or 3 days after a cesarean section. But while the woman is in the clinic, she is taken care of with all her might: every half hour or hour a nurse comes and asks about her well-being, and before discharge, the new mother receives detailed instructions on how to care for the baby.

By the way, did you buy a car seat?

In many countries (Israel), in order to leave a medical facility with a newborn, you must present a car seat for the baby. And the midwife can also check whether the parents have fastened the little passenger securely.

Soon Belarusian dads will have the opportunity to visit mothers with newborns in the maternity hospital. Perhaps the discharge traditions will eventually change? Flowers can be given as early as the first day after birth and a “memento” photo with balloons can be taken right in the ward. In the meantime, the decision on visits from fathers is up in the air, we will show what traditions of welcoming newborns exist in different countries.

1. Preserve the umbilical cord (Japan)

As a rule, when a baby gets his hair cut for the first time, parents in most cases leave a strand of his hair as a souvenir; others keep the baby's first shoe. Japanese mothers usually prefer to nurture the umbilical cord.

In Japanese hospitals, the umbilical cord is packed inside wooden boxes and given to the mother upon discharge from the hospital.

A small doll depicting a sleeping baby in a kimono is sometimes placed inside the box.

It is believed that preserving the umbilical cord in this way is this is a guarantee of a future wonderful relationship between child and mother.

A week after birth, new parents and close relatives hold a naming ceremony (Oshichiya), during which the child receives his official name in front of the home altar.

2. Receive a box as a gift (Finland)

In Finland, children are “born with a box.”

For 75 years now, women preparing to become mothers have received a “package” from the state. The package is a starter set of clothes, diapers and toys.

The mother has a choice between the package and a cash subsidy of 140 euros, but in 95 percent of cases women choose the “package” because its contents are worth much more.

Initially created for low-income families, the “maternity package” has become available to any woman giving birth since 1949. Since then, the package has become a staple for newborns and a sign that, regardless of their future, all Finnish children receive an equal start in life.

3. Place the newborn in a sieve (Egypt)

In modern Egypt, survival and the number seven are inextricably linked. Therefore, on the seventh day of the baby's life its existence is officially recognized the outside world in a ceremony to receive a name called Sebooh.

According to tradition, the mother places the baby, dressed in a white robe, in a large sieve and begins to gently shake it to help the newborn begin to get used to the vagaries of fate. After this, the baby is placed on a blanket spread on the floor with a knife on his chest, whose role is to ward off evil spirits.

Meanwhile, the ceremony guests are throwing the baby around grain, gold and gifts. All this symbolizes the happiness and wealth that is desired for the child. The mother stands seven steps from her child, again with the goal of driving away evil spirits, and listens to the singing of special people who conjure the baby to obey the mother and obey her.

This is followed by a procession with fire and incense led by the mother. Singing children and guests hold lit candles in their hands, blessing the house and its inhabitants.

In the Sebooh ceremony, the baby's name is also chosen using candles. Several candles are lit, each assigned a potential name for the child. The baby will get the name the candle with which will burn the longest.

5. They put him on the floor to find out his future (Armenia)

When a child grows up first tooth Armenian parents celebrate a ceremony called Agra Hadig. They sit the child on the floor, and various symbolic elements are placed around him, such as a tape measure, stethoscope, spatula, book and others. Then they ask him choose something suggested.

Depending on what the baby chooses, this will symbolize his future. For example, if a boy picks up a tape measure, this will mean that in the future he will become an engineer or architect. Of course, only time will tell whether such a prophecy is true or not.

5. Parents are given red painted eggs (China)

In Chinese families, when the baby turns one month old, a Full Moon ceremony is held. This is the first important event in the life of a little person.

In the morning, on the 30th day of the baby's existence, relatives and friends gather together to give gifts and their blessings to the newborn. The child's parents also give gifts to their relatives and friends.

The types of gifts vary from case to case, but red-dyed eggs tend to be the most popular gift, probably because in Chinese culture eggs are a symbol of constantly changing life and its fluidity.

Their round shape is a sign of a harmonious and happy life, and red is the color of happiness.

During the celebration, grandparents typically gift gold or silver to their grandson to demonstrate their deep love. Of course, parents and the newborn also receive “modern” gifts, such as children's clothing, toys, books, gift certificates.

At the same time, an equally common gift is money wrapped in red paper. In other words, everything is the same as in the West and Europe, only strictly in a month!

6. The afterbirth and umbilical cord are buried, and a tree is planted in this place (Jamaica)

Surely, you have repeatedly heard the phrase that each of us should plant a tree, build a house/write a book and raise/give birth to a son (varies depending on the culture). In Jamaica, apparently, all parents will have to do is write a book, because... they've already done everything else.

According to Jamaican tradition, after a woman gives birth, the placenta and umbilical cord must be buried in a specially chosen place, where a tree is planted. The tree is chosen by parents, godparents or other relatives and friends.

The tree is a pedagogical tool that teaches the child to take responsibility on himself, because it symbolizes the beginning of his life, which needs to be taken care of.

This tradition comes from a Jamaican expression that says: “home is where your umbilical cord is buried.” This speaks of a spiritual attachment to the place where each person comes from.

7. Keep babies from touching the floor (Bali)

While some parents around the world feel quite comfortable leaving their baby to crawl on the floor, Balinese babies' feet do not touch the ground until they perform 210 days, because the child is considered a divine being who descended from heaven.

When the baby first steps on the floor, this indicates that he has become a full-fledged person.

8. Putting money in the child’s hands (Trinidad and Tobago)

In Trinidad and Tobago, when people visit a newborn, they tend to place money in the baby's hands to bless the baby for a successful life.

Also in this country there is a rule according to which some parents do not allow guests to come to them after 18.00, because it is believed that the evening dew that the guests bring with them will cause the child to become ill.

9. They give the child 20 or more names (Nigeria)

On the seventh day after the birth of a girl or on the ninth day after the birth of a boy, the child is blessed with special elements that his mother conveys it to him with her lips.

First, the mother kisses him with lips dipped in water so that the baby has no enemies, then palm oil is placed on his lips so that his life is smooth and easy, bitter Kola (a type of nut eaten in Nigeria) so that his life is long, and also pepper and salt to make life sweet, filled with excitement and happiness.

After this, the baby is given a name. In addition to the surname, the newborn receives several names. One of the names describes the circumstances of birth, for example, the name Idowu means "child born after twins."

Another example would be when a middle-aged woman dies giving birth to her daughter, in which case the baby will be called Yetunde, literally “mother has returned.”

Parents often take their child something nickname, indicating that they are praying for their offspring. For example, Ayoke means "one who is blessed" and Titilayo means "eternal happiness."

After the parents announce the names they have given to the child, relatives can also name the baby something if they wish. But before you give a name, they must make a "cash contribution" to the child's basket.

Then everyone is given the opportunity to name the baby, the money is collected and transferred to the parents, who open an account for him. Thus, After the ceremony is over, the baby may have more than twenty names!

The ceremony ends with prayers, after which everyone is invited to the table.

10. Mother prepares souvenirs for all guests (Brazil)

In Brazil, an expectant mother prepares a basket of souvenirs that she gives to every person, who comes to visit her and the baby in the maternity hospital.

As a rule, this is a small “pleasure” in the form sweets, a refrigerator magnet, a notepad, a sachet, and even tiny bottles of perfume, which are chosen by the mother in advance.

In this way she thanks the person for coming.

11. Hot stone massage and regular exfoliation for mom (Malaysia)

After reading this, every new mother will want to travel to Malaysia for these procedures. So this is what this Malaysian tradition is all about.

After giving birth, the woman is transferred to a special clinic, where she stays on average 44 days, during which her health and feminine forms are restored.

She receives regular hot stone massages to cleanse her uterus and also undergoes full body exfoliation to smooth out changes after childbirth.

Moms are not allowed to lift weights or do anything other than feed the baby. All household chores are transferred to the husband or relatives.

How did your family greet you and your baby?

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