Shower Baby
We had this lovely mom in labor, just doing her thing moaning and breathing through what seemed like mild contractions from time to time. Morning came and she decided she wanted a shower. Marianne (student midwife and translator) prepared her a traditional wash, just water and fresh papaya leaves all broken up in the water. As Marianne was toting the water, the mom cried out “miss, miss, come, the babe is coming". Marianne ran into the shower to see the head about to crown, well the mom called it, the baby was surely coming. Towels got put down in the shower floor and the mom got into a nice squat. Ninotte got there just in time to catch the coming baby while Marianne supported the woman from behind. Mom was very happy and equally surprised that baby had arrive so promply. Mom ended up having her shower after the baby was out, but all was in good time. Mom and baby snuggled in bed under the porch till they were ready to go home. So short and sweet. Mom and baby have been coming for postpartum visits and the baby exclusively breast-feeding and doing great!
Clinic Life-Building Community
Clinic days are going great. The last few prenatal days we saw a handful of moms just about ready to deliver. I have a feeling that a busy spell is coming our way. Its kind of nice when they all come at once, its a big rush of work to do, massages to give, babies to catch, guidance to offer. Its nice for the moms too. They labor with the women that they know from prenatals and get to connect on another level. During prenatals we are teaching the moms to build community, starting here when they come for prenatals. And I see it happening when moms show up at postpartums together walking side by side enjoying new friendships. I love what can come out of a simple clinic! So much love!
by Melinda McClaren, On-Site Midwife Coordinator, Mother Health International, April 4, 2011, Jacmel, Haiti
We had this lovely mom in labor, just doing her thing moaning and breathing through what seemed like mild contractions from time to time. Morning came and she decided she wanted a shower. Marianne (student midwife and translator) prepared her a traditional wash, just water and fresh papaya leaves all broken up in the water. As Marianne was toting the water, the mom cried out “miss, miss, come, the babe is coming". Marianne ran into the shower to see the head about to crown, well the mom called it, the baby was surely coming. Towels got put down in the shower floor and the mom got into a nice squat. Ninotte got there just in time to catch the coming baby while Marianne supported the woman from behind. Mom was very happy and equally surprised that baby had arrive so promply. Mom ended up having her shower after the baby was out, but all was in good time. Mom and baby snuggled in bed under the porch till they were ready to go home. So short and sweet. Mom and baby have been coming for postpartum visits and the baby exclusively breast-feeding and doing great!
Clinic Life-Building Community
Clinic days are going great. The last few prenatal days we saw a handful of moms just about ready to deliver. I have a feeling that a busy spell is coming our way. Its kind of nice when they all come at once, its a big rush of work to do, massages to give, babies to catch, guidance to offer. Its nice for the moms too. They labor with the women that they know from prenatals and get to connect on another level. During prenatals we are teaching the moms to build community, starting here when they come for prenatals. And I see it happening when moms show up at postpartums together walking side by side enjoying new friendships. I love what can come out of a simple clinic! So much love!
by Melinda McClaren, On-Site Midwife Coordinator, Mother Health International, April 4, 2011, Jacmel, Haiti
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