A delivery is a delivery wherever it happens..

 Last night around 6:30pm Jason came up and told us there was a woman downstairs, “li gen trache” which means she is having contractions. Marie heads downstairs and Melissa follows…usually when I woman comes in there is a good 30 minutes before anything starts happening which is usually filled with asking questions about whether the woman has been to our clinic for care or whether or not she has had HIV and Syphilis testing as well as any other pertinent history. I hung back, while I am a HUGE fan of the work we do here in the clinic I am not always intensely interested in birth-in all honesty it usually goes too slow for my ADD. As I am finishing dinner Melissa calls up after a few minutes have passes and asks if I can grab a syringe for the Pitocin which I thought was odd as that is part of the protocol laid out by the ministry of health here in regards to active management of the third stage (which is after the baby is actually coming out). I head downstairs to see the woman on a birth stool in the arms of her friend on the front porch actively laboring like a champ. Wow. How cool I thought, talk about perfect timing, although I am sure the motorcycle ride over was of no help in keeping the labor at bay. So we hung a sheet, grabbed our headlamps and flashlights and she delivered a healthy 7.4lb baby boy within 50 minutes. It was really cool too because Monise who is another non medical staff member of ours was really into the birth and gloved up and helped out like a pro, I was so proud of her and the other woman on the patio for using the resources available and making this birth as gentle and wonderful as the rest even without a bed, pillows, mats etc. I am trying to convince Monise to be trained as a midwife and that we can help train her but she doesn’t seem too interested which I am hoping will change if she sees more births and recognizes what an asset to the process she is.

Overall it was a great day and another nod to the amazing work that is being done here in Haiti by our staff. I am so happy to be part of this organization and more and more I see how our work here is impacting the community in more ways that just keeping them healthy and decreasing maternal, neonatal and childhood mortality rates. The way everyone comes together to help when they see the need is so encouraging in a world where I too often see people’s only concern being their own well being with little concern for others. This used to make me angry as I see the world in a different light I guess, however now I am learning that most people are doing the best they can. Whether it is helping someone find the correct gate at the airport or giving an extra moment to smile at someone who is having a bad day I believe most of us doing something nice for others on a daily basis. Either that or the lack of inundation by media and all outside sources has taken its toll on my brain and I am suddenly living in a make believe world. I am ok either way. I will continue to see the best in people because I believe people live up the expectations you have for them. I will also continue to lead by example not because I feel I must but because I love the work I do and I know how many people are benefiting from it. Even if one person passes on the information they have learned from us my time here is worthwhile.