week thirty five-prayers answered!

this week was a little different looking because part of our group had gone to Kenya for the Bangladesh visa’s, and another part went to Zanzibar to do some teaching to some traditional birth attendants and the rest of us (7 students) stayed here. i was one of the few that remained here. at first i was not too happy about this and there is still some confusion in my mind but after the week i had, it was a good one.

it was nice to be a smaller group, we even got to go for dinner one to a place that is kinda like a food court and they have pizza! of course i was excited for pizza! (they have ‘milkshakes’ too but there more like soupy ice cream!) and because we were in a smaller number i was able to go to the labour room twice.

its funny because i have been prayer for certain experiences that i’ve wanted for quite some time now, and this week they all happened. (apart from one that couldn’t happen at the hospital) tuesday the labour room was overflowing once again and women were on the floor, and i got to do a delivery on the floor! a baby boy! it was so quick and i was quite sore after ward from squatting and leaning over but very worth it! the mom was quite excited as well, she tried to pay me, (they sometimes do that) but we always say no, it was our pleasure to help. wednesday i was in ANC and i walk in after transferring a women to the labour room and i see all the women clearing a bed with one women left, legs apart. i go over and the head is crowning. i managed to get one good (sterile) glove on and i was wearing one on the other hand (usually we double glove) but it wasn’t sterile and i didn’t have time so in between calling the hospital staff over the head came out, cord was around the neck, so i slipped it over the first shoulder, then the second and another beautiful little boy was born! i was saying ‘karibu sana’ which means ‘your very welcome’ as in i was welcoming him into the world and the nurse that finally did come over to assist me was laughing saying that the other women were laughing at me welcoming him! while i was still dealing with third stage of labour, a women on the ground began crowning. i called for that same nurse who had helped me and told her that this women was delivering, well the head came with no one there and she got there in time to catch the body! it was quite fast and busy, another labouring women had to help me get certain supplies from the women's bag! and then friday i was in the labour ward and went over to anc to bring a card for a women, while being there one of the students had a women she was transferring to labour ward who had twins!!! yes twins! i have always loved twins, (most of you know that from my mary-kate and ashley days! haha!) i was so excited!! i brought her in and got her set up on a bed and before i could check her vitals she was asking to push, my staff came over to assist and we noticed the first twin was breech. so i got to help guide her out, and it was the easiest breech i’ve ever seen, then only four minutes later her brother was born! a little girl and a little boy, both 2.2kg (4.9 pounds). i’m not sure if the mom knew she was having twins when she came in to the hospital that morning, i’m thinking they told her in anc, but sometimes, more often than not, women are very surprised when they have to give birth to two babies! both were doing well, the little boy hadn’t had a good cry but other than that they were both really good!
so thats the four things i’ve been praying for, on the floor, in anc, breech and twins! i was on top of the world friday afternoon!

another fun story from the week was on tuesday i was leaving the labour ward to go for lunch and i see my staff holding a baby at the end of the hallway (which is ‘outside’ with only a covering over incase of rain) and then i see a cab and she tells me that this baby was born in the cab and one of the doctors is delivering the second twin in the cab right now. i can see the security guard (a women) and what i’m assuming is the women's mother holding khanga’s up as a shield so people can’t see into the cab. so funny! a little girl and boy both healthy as well!

oh and last monday i went on a house visit with naomi, to see the mom that i had delivered just over a month ago whose baby had to go to the hospital and then went home okay. so we went to see them! the little girl was so cute, and her parents both so proud. the dad was telling us a story (they spoke good english) of when the hospital called him and said that he had to come and say goodbye to his daughter because they didn’t think she would make it. but she was healed and she is now okay! he said he was so sad and he prayed and prayed and prayed. his contract for work was up just before the birth and he said he wouldn’t sign another one until she was strong and healthy, four months old. it was encouraging to hear how much he cared for his family and wanted to be with his wife and daughter. the mom was doing good too, it was a joy to see her with her daughter smiling and playing with her and just lovin on her. they named her Sharon (but pronounced it differently then we do) because the dad had looked it up and found that it meant ‘talent and strength’ and he said, she is going to be smart and full of talent. she will be a doctor! they fed us lunch and blessed us abundantly. it was a great day.

so that was my week, it was actually a really good week despite my thinking i was going to be going to Kenya. i thank God for the blessings of this week.

till next time...