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On November 30 a few volunteers and i were manning the birth room for Swing shift. It was quiet. So quiet in fact, that we were each doing our own thing in between little bursts of conversation or laughter as we passed the time.
Soon enough a labor came in. She came with just her mother and had left her bag of supplies at home, so after establishing that she was already BOW Rup (bag of waters ruptured) we sent her mom home to get the supplies. In the mean time we had her begin some labor stim.
It was so quiet that I walked outside with her for a good 40 minutes or so, back and forth on the street in front of the clinic. She chatted away in Visayan. While I didn't understand her perfectly, it was enough to be able to follow her stories and occasionally ask questions. Her contractions were just 15 minutes apart and very mild. Oh, and this was her seventh baby. We talked about her previous births and how the last two were without hardly any pain, which meant very little warning for her. How they used to have a karenderia (little restaurant/eatery) in front of their house and now how their kids are growing and learning to have responsibility at home.
Eventually, we headed inside for dinner and her mother and husband (bana) arrived. For the next few hours, she labored outside with her bana and mother. She was so nervous that the baby was going to drop out on the floor that she had to move into the cubicle. So, she did. I continued to check vitals on the hour or as seemed needed.
Finally at 9:11 after just a minute of pushing a beautiful baby boy was born. They are now a family of 6 boys and 1 girl. She did so well for being so nervous. So lovely!
That's the lastest on the birth room. Thank you all for praying. The clinic has to be covered in prayer. We always recognize that without Jesus we certainly cannot help any women through this miracle of bringing new life into the world. There are sad days, sometimes, not often, but sometimes. We did just loose two babies. One was a still born and one died shortly after birth due to respitory complications. Regardless of all we can do, ultimately, God is Sovereign and we must recognize Him through the sad times and the joyful times. Please keep praying!
Here are a few pictures:
Soon enough a labor came in. She came with just her mother and had left her bag of supplies at home, so after establishing that she was already BOW Rup (bag of waters ruptured) we sent her mom home to get the supplies. In the mean time we had her begin some labor stim.
It was so quiet that I walked outside with her for a good 40 minutes or so, back and forth on the street in front of the clinic. She chatted away in Visayan. While I didn't understand her perfectly, it was enough to be able to follow her stories and occasionally ask questions. Her contractions were just 15 minutes apart and very mild. Oh, and this was her seventh baby. We talked about her previous births and how the last two were without hardly any pain, which meant very little warning for her. How they used to have a karenderia (little restaurant/eatery) in front of their house and now how their kids are growing and learning to have responsibility at home.
Eventually, we headed inside for dinner and her mother and husband (bana) arrived. For the next few hours, she labored outside with her bana and mother. She was so nervous that the baby was going to drop out on the floor that she had to move into the cubicle. So, she did. I continued to check vitals on the hour or as seemed needed.
Finally at 9:11 after just a minute of pushing a beautiful baby boy was born. They are now a family of 6 boys and 1 girl. She did so well for being so nervous. So lovely!
That's the lastest on the birth room. Thank you all for praying. The clinic has to be covered in prayer. We always recognize that without Jesus we certainly cannot help any women through this miracle of bringing new life into the world. There are sad days, sometimes, not often, but sometimes. We did just loose two babies. One was a still born and one died shortly after birth due to respitory complications. Regardless of all we can do, ultimately, God is Sovereign and we must recognize Him through the sad times and the joyful times. Please keep praying!
Here are a few pictures:
Thanks for your blog and pic!! Cuteness abounds! What a privilege to be part of the life-giving ministry of the Mercy Clinic. God bless you, Hija!
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom