Environmentally Friendly Ways of Burial - Essay Example

Journals al affiliation Many people are advocating for environmental friendly ways of burial. For instance in ‘green burial’, bodies are not embalmed, no cement are used as grave liners and caskets, and if used should be made of biodegradable materials such as pine especially for baby boomers. It is also a cheap option since the fancy caskets are costly. In addition, some memorial parks the graves are dug by hand to reduce the carbon footprint and plots are marked by engraved river rocks. As an alternate to the ‘green burial’ concept, others opt to lease a tree where there ashes could be buried. The species, age and location of a tree in the forest determines the price of leasing an EcoEternity Forest Tree. For instance, a 30-40 year old Family Reunion Tree or Friendship Tree starts at $4,500. The price is independent of the number of people lay to rest under the same tree. People who don’t want to lease their own tree can be part of a Community Tree from as low as $500. I would consider ‘green burial’ for myself and a loved one. First, green burial is ecofriendly. The chemicals used in embalming are toxic and can be harmful to nature. In addition, the money that has been used to lease the trees is used in conservation of the forest. Secondly, it is cheaper having a green burial, relatives incur less expenses. In ‘green burial’, the body decomposes faster and can be a nourishment to nature surrounding us. In general, reading and discussing about death has not changed my thinking about death, it is inevitable, in one way or another, and everyone will experience it or shall die. Death is a natural process and is not a taboo in any aspect. I have become more comfortable talking about death and have shared what I have learnt with close friends and family. The journey has been rough since it has rekindled some of the painful memories I had when I lost my grandfather three years ago. In a positive way, I have understood the idea of death, and the fact that I may lose some of the people I love in the future. A I watched the videos, I realized that the body has many processes which are unique and a marvel to even the doctors. Life begins in the womb after conception, the fetus grows during pregnancy and after the baby is born, it grows, and ages through time till death. Conception is creation of life in the mother’s womb and several processes have to take place before this takes place. In the woman, ovulation, which is the fertile period in a woman should occur first. An egg is released from the ovaries. This is a process that begins from birth to puberty when she starts experiencing the menstrual cycle. During sexual intercourse, there is fusion of gametes which initiates the development of an embryo. In every ejaculation, there are billions of sperms which are released. This is because in the uterus, there is an unconducive environment for the survival of the sperms. One of the sperms burrows into the egg and fertilization occurs. The embryo then implants itself on the walls of the uterus. At this point, woman’s body becomes more sensitive and responds by having nausea which ends at about 12 weeks. During pregnancy, cell division occurs rapidly and the fetus grows developing body systems and organs such as the heart, the kidneys and the brain. The child is usually connected to the mother through the umbilical cord where even the blood cells cannot pass through. Some embryos do not reach the eighth week of gestation period. The new technology available can be used to monitor the process of development through the ultrasound. After nine months, the woman experiences labor. The woman experiences contraction that move the infant down the birth canal. This process takes a series of processes which the woman has no control over. The woman requires emotional support, from the health care providers as well as the man. Pain often affects the woman’s experience in the whole process. After the baby is expelled from the uterus, the baby grows as an independent entity and grows with every passing time. In my opinion, feeding a child with breast milk is the right of the every child regardless of whether the mother is working or not. However, this right should be limited so as to consider the people in the environment. It was understandable that Pine could not leave her daughter at the day care and could had to feed her sick child in the classroom which was quite uncomfortable for some students who termed it unprofessional. It was to the extreme that the story was published in the newspaper since the school should have provided lactating rooms for all the employees. In addition the university had not made a policy that addressed breast-feeding on campus. The lactations rooms were a good idea and help avoid future controversies that could arise from the same. It is also important to respect the ‘social space’ of everyone including pregnant women. Most people touch the stomach of pregnant women, however when a person is not comfortable with the actions, it is advisable that they should avoid since it is offensive to that particular person. It is considered harassment if the person involved in touching does not consent. I agree with most people who think that unwanted physical contact with the body should be considered a crime and a lawsuit against the offender was valid. Ovulation and pregnancy are a part of almost every woman in the world. In a woman, the development of the oocytes which are the eggs starts before birth. During puberty, the eggs are a released in a cycle. When the egg is fertilized, it implants itself on the uterine wall. In every passing time, the child grows developing body systems and organs. I am comfortable talking about pregnancy and look forward to look for more information regarding the topic. I have learnt that the first trimester is the most delicate and most fetus do not develop leading to miscarriage. In the event of early or premature birth, the child is incubated so that the child can develop to mature stage. During pregnancy, a woman needs care and support since the child depends on the mother. Ruth is an obstetrician, she attended nursing school in the 1950s. In Ruth’s clinic, the women are nurtured, educated and empowered. In the clinic, the prenatal appointments last or a long time, even for an hour. She had dreaded working in the hospital maternity wards since the labor were often induced and were given narcotics and other drugs.it is clear that most women opt to g to facilities that offer proper care. In my opinion, the safety of the women and the newborn babies should be ensured. Women who have low income or from poor neighborhoods have a challenge of accessing good child bearing facilities. It is evident that professional healthcare providers who focus on providing quality services to their clients face a lot of challenges, therefore should be given more support. Peggy Vincent does not preach the virtue of un-medicated birthing but rather considering and choosing other birth options. In the US most people choose delivering in the hospital which ensures the safety of the patient and the newborn babies. However, Vincent’s approach that states, “birth is normal until proven otherwise” is not advisable. It is important that women should choose the birth option that they think is best. Births should not be limited, therefore this approach is not suitable as the guiding principle of midwifery. In the “Business of Being Born”, the American health care system is critiqued based on its emphasis on its interventions that are costly and its emphasis on medicine. The documentary shows a range of births from home to water births. It also gives the challenges experienced by the modern doctors. This documentary was educative since it shed light on different delivery methods. After my visit to Georgetown Hospital, I am impressed that there are a variety of birthing choices offered to the women in the country. I would consider delivering in a hospital like Georgetown since my partner and I will be able to make the right choice on what delivery methods are safe. From what I have learnt planning for a delivery method is important since one can be able to make the right decisions. First, I would consider normal birth since they are more cost friendly. I als think that normal birth would give an amazing experience as it marks the onset of parenthood. Caesarian birth would only be an option in case a complication arises from the delivery procedure. I would like to deliver in a hospital since the will be emergency care in case of a complication. In a hospital, there are several health care professional who will be present unlike at home where at most two midwives will be present. I would like my partner to be present during delivery but not inside the delivery room. I would appreciate if close members of my family like my parents and siblings would be present in the hospital. I would choose a hospital that has a reputation of caring for the patient and focuses on the safety of the newborn and the mother. This birth unit has made me more comfortable and being more open minded about birth. My feelings have not changed in any way whatsoever and I hope to get more information regarding methods of birth such as natural births and Cesarean section and midwifery. Current techniques and procedures have many challenges and that I would consider during delivery. A birthing center would also be an option since it will provide a home-like environment and may be situated in hospital grounds. Read More