Babies- new technology for one of the oldest events

So much has changed with pregnancy management in the twenty years since I last gave birth. In the 1970's, the emphasis was on using nurse-midwives whenever possible, not using anything to kill pain, and breastfeeding. My first child was a "low-tech" birth, with just a shot of Novocaine for the episiotomy.

My second, and last child was a "high-tech" birth. I tried to do Lamaze again, but ended up having to have an emergency C-Section. I was not encouraged to breastfeed, but I did anyway. Couldn't believe that the hospital staff, including my doctor, was in favor of breast-binding, a practice I thought went out of favor in the 1950's! I had all kinds of drugs, and was put to sleep during the procedure.

When my daughter in law gave birth two years ago, it was more like back in the '70's. She did Lamaze and breastfed my grandson, with the help and support of the hospital personnel. Breastfed babies are at much lower risk for obesity, and are healthier due to the transmission of antibodies from mother to child.