Day
four.... sent a sweet new baby boy home with his mama this morning. Had
a cold shower (who'd have ever thought that I would be grateful for
that??? But I was!), and then was fed AMAZING food by the midwives and
their families. Now looking at my poor tired swollen feet (weird!) and
think it is time for a short rest, so up you go feet (come on body,
don't fail me now! I am on a short schedule here!). Have another mama in
early labor who lives too far to go home, so will take some short rests
when I can. Life is good!
Day
five... busy times. Had one early labor in early evening last night,
but it was a false alarm. Then a mom in her forties pregnant with number
7 came in but that was one big baby... finally had to transport for a
c-section (poor thing!), and first thing off the bat one very tiny lady
came in and in a couple of hours gave birth to about a 7 lb baby... I
have arrive at "birth HEAVEN" and I am love love loving it!
First
prenatal clinic day, not even sure how many women were here... maybe
between 75 and 100 just in the morning. Did 5 initials and several
regular prenatal appointments. Discovered some good tricks to get heart
tones in the earlier weeks and found a breech in a 36 week VBAC hopeful.
Sure do hope knee chest helps or that the doc can do a version (turning
the baby). Exciting day and it is only halfway done. Oh, and the food
is phenomenal on top of all this wonderfulness!! The house manager cooks
for me and another lady does my laundry by hand (my clothes have never
looked or smelled so clean!). The labor is very affordable and everyone
is so nice.
Truth!!!!!!!!!!
"The most beautiful people you'll ever meet aren't always the ones who catch your eye first. No, the most beautiful people are the ones that can never be figured out. The one you could talk to for hours and still have a million things to ask. The people who have minds so lovely and special, you can't help but fall in love with them." Author unknown
It
was a quiet day in Lake Woebegone... oh wait, different story... LOL!
Day 7: We had a prenatal clinic day. Had phone problems last night so I
missed a birth doggone it! Midwives and house manager were faithful to
help me solve that little glitch today so that won't happen again.
Sticky and hot here which makes the mosquitoes swarm. Waiting on
babies... come on babies... we want to meet you!
It is amazing what you notice if you just slow down....
"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams." Ashley Smith
Day 8. Another busy, busy Clinic day. So many women. Some are a little tense under the "foreign midwife's" hands. A soft word and a wide tender smile are part of the universal language of kindness and I hope they help put their fears at ease. Have been doing a lot of sitting (NARM and AZ paperwork) in between visits, and my feet have been swelling each night. I have decided to go for a walk each day and also put my feet up at night (when not at a birth). That seems to help. It is so amazing to walk down the hill to the shops and open market. Along the way it looks like an alley with all the typical trash etc., but the amazing part is all the exotic tropical plants along the way. The kind Americans pay big bucks to have in their houses and yards. And they are all healthy and gorgeous. I am learning to settle into this new pace. I sort of meander/mosey down the hill and back enjoying all the sights and sounds.
Another
quiet day here at my post. I figure all the babies will come at once,
and that is totally ok too. I checked out a three day old baby that I
saw be born the other night. Such a sweet beautiful boy. And the parents
were so tender-hearted and in love with him. Also saw a woman who had
miscarried a blighted ovum. Sad for her. Let it be said that living a
simple life, or even living in poverty should never, ever be equated
with being simple minded. Beautiful woman with intelligence, strength
and power shining out of her eyes... and yes sadness. But as she left I
could see that she would do what she has probably always done: Carry on!
These women are leaving their fingerprints all over my heart...
Margie Kline Awesome suggestion Erika! From now on folks my daily "reports" will start with that title....
Keep
shining the light on me friends... I am far from home and feeling a wee
bit homesick. It is cloudy and rainy here today. Miss you all... ♥
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNXttt2-hws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNXttt2-hws
Fingerprints All Over My Heart....
Day 10 (can you believe it?): 3 little Filipino beauties came to join us earthside last night/this morning. Such tiny regal women quietly birthing in the deepest night and early morning... trusting me with their eyes as the faithful midwives and the other intern were there by my side to lend their hands and support.1 gorgeous little girl and 2 precious boys. Perfect births all, and though it is totally the luck of the (perineal) draw, not one single tear (although I could do with some suture practice!). Time at last for a shower and a short nap. Can't stop smiling.....
Day 10 (can you believe it?): 3 little Filipino beauties came to join us earthside last night/this morning. Such tiny regal women quietly birthing in the deepest night and early morning... trusting me with their eyes as the faithful midwives and the other intern were there by my side to lend their hands and support.1 gorgeous little girl and 2 precious boys. Perfect births all, and though it is totally the luck of the (perineal) draw, not one single tear (although I could do with some suture practice!). Time at last for a shower and a short nap. Can't stop smiling.....
Day 11.
Had two mamas in the middle of the night, first one was premature so it
was off to the hospital with her. The next one labored silently through
the night and then birthed her little one beautifully. The morning was
quiet and so after first watch I went to a short church service with one
midwife's family while mother and baby slept. The afternoon brought
rain and not one, not two, but three
more babies, one right after the next (God??? Is it raining babies?). My
head is still spinning. Had one mild shoulder dystocia (the woman was
about 110 lbs soaking wet and gave birth to an 8 and 1/2 lb baby!), but
the angel midwife over my shoulder helped me resolve it, and one had a
small laceration (NOT the one with the big baby and it is my first
laceration here), and so I got to throw three stitches! Hooray! Three
babies tucked in bed at their mama's breasts with three daddy's keeping
watch like silent sentries. I am laying down at last after many, many
hours of hard work. My heart and mind are so full of the days happenings
I hope I can sleep for a little while.... night everyone (or I suppose I
should say morning...)
Ahhh.... I have seen the flame burn so brightly my eyes water and my throat burns with the beauty of it!
There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.
WASHINGTON IRVING, The Sketch Book
There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.
WASHINGTON IRVING, The Sketch Book
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