Oh wait, I guess I do.
And I blame it on Deng Xiaoping.
Mostly.
Turns out, Chinese hospitals cater to Chinese women. (Shocking, I know!) And it turns out that China's one-child policy affects more than just family size.
The hospital I was looking at in Shenyang delivers about 75% of its babies by C-section. I was really hoping to avoid this if possible. I am very grateful for the option of a C-section, because sometimes it is absolutely necessary. And it kind of makes sense if you're only going to have one child, that you might as well have it by C-section. I don't feel that way, but I can see how others might. So this was my first hesitation about this hospital. My doubts were confirmed by the women I talked to who gave birth there: almost all of them had C-sections. I mentioned to my nurse that my labor for Penny lasted 10 hours. She looked pretty shocked and said that they definitely would have done a C-section if it took that long.
Now my major complication that changed my mind for certain today: I have O- blood. It's a rather uncommon blood type in the US, but here in China it's very rare. They can make arrangements to have some on hand, but here's the catch: they don't carry Rho-Gam. At all. They said if I needed some, I'd need to bring some of my own when I deliver. Well, I need it!
Brief explanation: if you have Rh- blood, and give birth to an Rh+ baby, there's a good chance your body will build up antibodies against the Rh antigen. Then if you got pregnant again and the baby had Rh+ blood, your body wouldn't put up with it. A Rho-gam shot prevents the antibodies from being produced.
If you're just planning on ever having one child, I guess this wouldn't be an issue. And if you're a hospital supporting the one-child policy, this problem wouldn't even be on your radar.
But I'd like to have the option of more children, thank you. Ask me in a month or two, and I might not feel that way. ;)
Deng Xiaoping, I blame you. But you've also made my decision pretty clear: I'm off to Beijing.
11 comments:
I also have Rh negative blood. Both of my boys have been negative---thank goodness. However, they didn't even test Kyle before they gave me the shot. With Aiden we tested, and so no shot. Hallelujah! I don't like shots. But I do like the ability to have more children---I'm with you. Good luck in Beijing. Keep us posted. I am loving how frequently you are posting! :)
Reading your blog always makes me miss you. And you can tell Kevin that Chris regularly laments that they didn't do more together. He thinks Kevin is among the nicest and best of men he met here. Do you guys want to move back for a few months so we can hang out? No? Maybe in Beijing then. Best of luck with that baby!
I hear ya! I'm 0- and Tim is AB+ I need Rho Gam no matter what. I'm sorry you have to travel but I'm glad the decision was easy for you. I hope that you will be able to have a smooth delivery!
Bleh! The thought of a c-section terrifies me. For some reason, I was really concerned that I might end up having one this time around. Good thing I had my fastest labor ever instead. Good luck!
I had no idea the world of medicine had moved on so much. I thought the problem that my aunt had still exists. Hope all goes well in traveling!
BTW, I thought about that bridge some more and left another comment on the last post :-)
FYI, I had a v-back (vaginal birth after a c-section), everything was fine, normal and totally okay. In fact since i've had both, I wish I would have had the c-section the second time (and I had the choice which I wanted) I thought I wanted to experience labor - totally not worth it! Just saying it's not a big deal if it does happen (that's not really what this post is about, but It's not something to be feared)
Funny, My husband did not have the c-section or a V-back (I'm still laughing about that!) I was logged in under his name :)
Good call on really educating yourself on the options. Best of luck with everything! I hope it goes smoothly and well for you.
Not that I have anything to compare it to, but C-Section isn't that bad...unless you get a cold the day you give birth and end up coughing for two weeks while the incision heals. I'm hoping to do a VBAC next time though (Vaginal Birth After Cesarian, it's an acronym. yes, I'm correcting the person above me who spelled it wrong...it's how I roll!) ;) It's crazy how many things are different just because of that one cultural difference. I hope everything goes smoothly! They say the second labor isn't as long as the first.
I'm another Rho Gam girl. Definitely a necessity!
Wow. Crazy how complicated things become that are so everyday here in the US! Good luck!
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