2 JAX AIR NEWS, NASJACKSONVILLE, Thursday, April 23, 2009 Looking back to 1946... U.S. Navy Photo Men from NAS Jacksonville's Overhaul and Repair Department toss aluminium, steel, copper and other scrap metal into the salvage yard. Having a home birth or in a hospital? By Sarah Smiley Special Contributor I just finished reading "Extreme Birth," by Andrew Goldman, in a recent issue of New York maga- zine. My third boy, Lindell (2) who was a normal delivery -is playing with toy cars on the floor. According to the article's star, home-birth mid- wife Cara Muhlhahn, Lindell's birth would probably be described as "clin- ical, detached and unnatural." In the last day of pregnancy, my blood pressure spiked, Lindell's heart rate was erratic and shortly after birth his breathing stalled. It was an experience of hospital monitors, tubes, medicine and intervention - everything that home-birth advocate Muhlhahn, considers being in direct opposition to the "natural experience" of childbirth. And yet, Lindell sits at my feet, pushing a metal car in circles and declaring, "the car go race, Mommy." He is a normal, healthy, active two- year-old. When we are out walking, people often stop us to comment on Lindell's big brown eyes. Not once has anyone said something to the affect of, "Gee, what a beautiful little boy... did you deliver him in a hospital?" Birth stories are only relevant in two situations: during the first six weeks after delivery; and among other mothers at a new mother's baby shower. In the latter, birth stories of the horrific variety seem to be espe- cially relevant. Outside of these circumstances, however, who really cares about how a baby arrived? At a Little League game, who comments on a talented young athlete and then says, "I won- der if he was born by a C-section?" At a dance recital, who looks at the star performer and says, "I bet she was born at home"? Who asks successful adults, "How were you born?" In Goldman's article, home-birth FROM THE HOMEFRONT advocates list comforts (home- made pasta for dinner, for exam- ple, as opposed to hospital food), aes- thetics (your own decor instead of "cheesy" hospital birthing rooms), and the "experi- ence" (home births are compared sev- eral times in the Sarah Smile article to adrena- line-fueled feats like climbing a moun- tain) as reasons why they think births outside of a hospital are superior. One French obstetrician quoted in the article even claims that babies born via C-Section might have less of an attachment to their mother, noting that monkeys reject their offspring if they are not born "naturally." Two things struck me about these sentiments. First, the selfishness of putting aesthetics, quality of food, and your own experience above the health and safety of the baby. Second, the idea that childbirth is an end rather than a means to an end. I am reminded of brides who seem more invested in the wedding than the marriage Is the objective to bring into this world and raise a happy, healthy human being who will contribute positively to their commu- nity? Or is the objective to flex some kind of motherhood muscle to outdo and outshine all other mothers, who out of necessity and to save the lives of their baby often had to delivery via C-section? All three of my babies were born in hospitals. Two of them, in fact, were born in military hospitals. (If you want to argue about aesthetics Jacksonville Roar to join April 30 blood drive By Staff The Jacksonville Roar Cheerleaders will be on hand to thank donors at the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) blood drive April 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Jax on Yorktown Avenue. The ASBP is a joint program of Army, Navy and Air Force elements working together to collect and ship blood worldwide to take care of the military family. The nearest military blood collection site is at Ft. Gordon, Ga., one of 22 ASBP donor centers responsible for pro- viding blood to military hospitals overseas and at home. Ft. Gordon is currently the second largest collecting center DoD-wide, and the majority of the blood they col- lect is sent into theater within five days after donation. Weekly shipments are made into Iraq and Afghanistan to supply the hospitals that care for our injured service members. Donors must present a photo ID, and be at least 17 years old, free of cold and flu symptoms, and meet the criteria for recent tattoos. Tattoos received in the state of Florida must be at least 12 months old, although some other states are okay. For a complete list, please check the ASBP Web site. Certain travel restrictions apply also; donors must wait 12 months after deploy- ment to Iraq or Afghanistan, and donors who were stationed in Europe for more than six months between 1980 and 1996 are not eligible to give. Appointments, though not required, can be made online with just a few clicks. For more information, go to www.militaryblood. dod.mil or call (706) 787-3234. and the cheesinesss" factor, we could definitely start there.) They are all healthy, and any variances between them can be attributed more to genetics and birth order than to the location of their birth. I was separated from Lindell for nearly two days after he was born while he was hooked up to a respi- rator. Conversely, I held Ford, born with no breath- ing problems, for the same amount of time without stopping. According to some home- birth advocates' logic, Ford should be more attached to me than Lindell, when in reality, the reverse is true. Another funny thing about child- birth the more time that elapses, the more we forget about it. I can recall much more of Lindell's birth two years ago than I can Ford's (eight years ago). My mom remembers virtu- ally nothing about my birth 32 years ago, except that Charles Manson had escaped from prison earlier that day. Perhaps home-birth people will say that these deliveries are so forget- table because they occurred in a hos- pital. But I believe that in fact it's more natural to remember the years of raising a child and getting to know them as a person than it is to remem- ber what food you first ate after they were born. The birth of a child should be based on what's safest and best not on superficial ideas and certainly not on future bragging rights. No one cares to hear about all the details of some- one's appendectomy. What makes anyone think we want to hear about their labor and delivery be it in a hospital or your own bathtub? Unless, of course, we're at a baby shower. HEY, MONEYCHIC! Hey, MoneyChic! I heard something about the GI Bill now being available to pass on to a spouse to use. Is this true? MoneyChic says: The new GI Bill also called the "Post 9/11 GI Bill" has the most comprehensive education benefits package in the program's history. Veterans who served after Sept 11, 2001 will receive full tuition and fees, a monthly housing stipend and a $1000 annual stipend for books and sup- plies. If a service member serves for 36 or more months, he/she is eligible for the full benefit package. Pretty good deal right. As far as transferring to your spouse or child, there are some requirements that need to be met. You must have served at least six years and agree to serve at least another four years to transfer your entitlements. Don't have your wife run out and register for class just yet. This new GI Bill is set to go into effect on August 1, 2009. However, as with any new legislation, it could take some time for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin paying benefits. The VA is not currently accepting applications for this new program, but when they do, you will be able to submit your application online. From there they will determine your eligibility and issue a VA Certificate of Eligibility. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society w Make Us Your First Resource; Not Your Last Resort! 542-3191 Na G a .. MASR THOMAS BARNABLE Job title/command: NAS Jax Security Department *Hometown: Ringwood, N.J. Favorite duty station/ Why? NAS Jacksonville because the weather is nice. Last book read: Jarhead Favorite pastime: Football and fishing Most interesting experience: High school football camp and joining the Navy. Who is your hero? My stepfather SHAQUNTA JONES Job title/command: Youth Activities Center Hometown: Albany, Ga. Favorite duty station? San Antonio, Texas. I like the Spurs! Last book read: Twilight Series Favorite pastime: Spending time with my family. Most Interesting Experience: Giving birth to my son. Who is your hero? My parents. The Players offers deal for military The Players is offering a special deal for military personnel that will also benefit the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society. Practice Rounds, May 4-6 All active duty and retired military personnel with appropriate identifi- cation will be admitted free of charge. Accompanying family members will be also be admitted free of charge. Competition Rounds, May 7-10 All active duty and retired military personnel with appropriate iden- tification will be admitted free of charge from 3 p.m. until the conclusion of play. Accompanying family mem- bers must have a 'prime time' ticket ($25) for admit- tance. Visit www.nmersmayport.org to purchase tick- ets for your family and civilian friend and all pro- ceeds benefit our Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Full Day Ticket, May 7-10 All active duty or retired military personnel and family members who wish to attend an all-day competition round may purchase a daily grounds ticket that will upgrade to a Daily Island Club ticket. The Island Club is a hospitality tent located on Fairway #10. Youth Policy Children ages 16 and young- er are admitted free all week when accompa- nied with a properly ticketed or credentialed adult. j*KAirNews NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. NAS Jacksonville Executive Officer Cmdr. Ellis Bowler Command Master Chief CMDCM(SW/SS) Jeff Hudson Public Affairs Officer Miriam S. Gallet Assistant Public Affairs Officer Kaylee LaRocque Naval Air Station lacksonville Editorial Staff Editor Clark Pierce Staff Writer AWVAN Scott Beach Design/Layout George Atchley The JAX AIR NEWS is an authorized publication for members of the Military Services. 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