DD's Birth Memory??

[Garnet]

I just wanted to share something out of the mouth of DD this weekend.....

Just to set the scene DD's first response when she was told about the new baby growing in Mummy's tummy some months ago was, as she held her hands on my belly, "The Dr will have to cut the baby out"!! I just dismissed this to her and put it down to childrens logic? How else does baby get out? We'd never discussed her birth with her which was an emergency C/S and hadn't decided how/when we would discuss how this baby would be born (vaginally) with her yet either.....and she continued with the cutting out theory for quite some time despite my corrections......however I have since explained where baby will be born from in very simple terms to her because we would like her to be present at the birth (of course more preparation will come later as we get closer), but mostly I wanted to rid her of the other idea as normal.

Anyway.....on the weekend DH was discussing with her whether she would have a baby brother or sister to play with soon, and then that she would have a little friend over behind us to play with too (as our neighbours had their girl last week via C/S also....the method of which not discussed with DD). DD had been watching her belly grow and waiting for the day and has seen bub since etc. Well then she said to DH "Yeah the Dr cut the blood to the baby's heart".....DH, a little taken aback asked her what she said?? She repeated "The Dr cut the blood to the baby's heart like Mia (DD)"!!
Wow huh? I dunno but my heart broke a little regardless....so did DH's...he had to ring me at work just to tell me
We haven't said anything else about it....if she does have any memory I'd rather it come out naturally rather than prompted.

Just wanted to share.

[la]

wow, what a powerful moment.

[hanabi]

It's amazing isn't it?? You might like to see the documentary, "What Babies Want" (there's a thread on this forum if you do a search) which goes into detail about inutero and birth memories. Fwiw, I think you explore it more with her rather than try to redirect her to an understanding of natural birth (because your next birth will no doubt correct her assumptions anyhow). It's important to validate her memories and explore her "trauma" as much as she can describe it. Hope I haven't upset you with my opinion Leanne (and btw CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!!).

[Garnet]

Thanks Jodie!! We're so excited (about new bubs)!!
No not upset at all with your opinion...that had exactly been on my mind too but my head seemed so full, with it resurrecting some of my own emotions too, I needed time to think about where I could/should go with it for her ....how I should go about it (without the prompting you know?) I've had a gut feeling about her remembering all along because I "knew" she wasn't ready to birth yet when the C/S happened. MIL works with children for CPS and was aware of research done on this....might pick her brain for some 'counselling' techniques??
I;ve wanted to see that doco for a while....so it covers some of this then??

[hanabi]

Yes, in some depth (or as much as the available research will permit). I have a copy I can lend you but it is several months away by boat at this point in time. Plenty of time before your bub arrives though.

[Garnet]

Thanks Jodie...you know what it was just the push I needed to grab a copy for myself (seeing as I've had my eye on it for a while anyway)....have just ordered one! =) lol

[Heartwood]

Wow! Nothing else to offer- just Wow!

[Hailstorm]

That's truly amazing!!!

[Angelsmum]

Its amazing what children remember, When Emily was born my 3 year old nephew gave her a toy that I bought for him as a baby,,,,he brought it to me and said, "here you go aunty Rach, you bought this for me when I was in hospital when I was a baby, you can have it back now for Emmie...."

I asked my SIL and she had told him nothing...... Its nice hey!

[Hailstorm]

I remember SIL telling me about a friend of hers (she's prolly about 23 or something) who remembers her birth apparently she cam out at a funny angle and her father literally caught her she says she remembers the male doctor with glasses and a moustache, and her parents swear they never told her anything about the doctor, but she remembers heaps of little details about the whols thing....