Healthy water

Access to healthy water:

Having access to healthy water is very important to me because it provides nutrients for the body. It also allows the brain to function better and it helps get rid of things the body doesn’t need. I just began a no soda and water only diet and I love the results. I feel refreshed and my skin has never felt so clean. Having access to clean water gives me a clear free mind about the water I intake. Having clean water affects children in a major way  without access to healthy water alot of children will be unable to function properly.

Access to healthy water in Africa:

 Africa issue with clean water and access to adequate sanitation are widespread. Young children die from dehydration and malnutrition, results of suffering from diarrhea illnesses that could be prevented by clean water and good hygiene (Metwally, Ibrahim, Saad, & Abu El-Ela, 2006). Diseases such as cholera are spread rampantly during the wet season. Women and young girls, who are the major role-players in accessing and carrying water, are prevented from doing income-generating work or attending school, as the majority of their day is often spent walking miles for their daily water needs.

After reading about the issues in Africa, I am so grateful for the things I do have. Every day we take for granted the small things such as taking 15-20 minute showers. We should all do our part and help Africa to get access to clean water so they can experience some of the luxuries we have.

World Health Organization. (2006). Meeting the MDG drinking water and sanitation target: the urban and rural challenge of the decade. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/monitoring/jmpfinal.pdf

Personal Birth experience

My personal birth experience:

I have decided to share the birth of my two children because of how different they both were. The birth of my daughter was smooth, I experienced very little pain and spotting was the only reason I went to the hospital. I received the epidural right after the doctor broke my water, and all I could feel was pressure. I arrived at the hospital at 10:30 and my daughter was born at 2:35. Immediately all of my baby weight went away and I felt happy to have a healthy 7lb 12 oz baby girl. Three years later I decided to do it again, the birth of my son was rather difficult. I began to experience pain during the 7^h month of my pregnancy so I was placed on bed rest. I went to the hospital several times before finally they kept me. I was in labor for 14 hours this includes the horrible back pain I had before I was admitted. I felt every contraction; even after the epidural I was very uncomfortable and I felt a lot of pressure. My weight gain during this pregnancy decided to stick around, but I was happy to have healthy 7lb 8oz baby boy.

During my research I found births of Bantu people of South Africa very interesting. It is very common among the Bantu people that an older woman such as a grandmother or a traditional birth attendant assist with birth. After a birth, the mother is secluded in her hut with the baby until she stops bleeding and burial of the placenta and cord has great importance. When the cord falls off, it is understood that the newborn now not only belongs to the mother, but to the whole community. All African cultures believe that a new baby has come from the spirit world bearing gifts and talents. The naming ceremony is therefore of vital importance, connecting a baby to the ancestors who have imparted these talents and bonding the newborn to the community.

The bearing gifts reminded me of baby showers I feel that in all cultures the birth of a baby is a very precious moment. It was great to see how other countries celebrate births and also how women have this awesome gift no matter where you are from!
Happy Mothers Day!