Happy Birthday Sankofa

When I was leaving my home in Hawai’i my family said, “we will see you on your birthday.” I had already seen that my birthday this year would be on a full moon, just as when I was born on a full moon 57 years again and so I answered, “no, there will be a baby born on my birthday and I will be there for her.” We have always in our family given to others on our birthdays, as the material gifts do not mean much in the bigger picture of life. The morning of my birthday as I was teaching a class before a morning full of prenatals, I noticed a young girl in a beautiful white dress with green, yellow and red colors at the top of her dress squirming as if she was having contractions. I was teaching about how important it was that the women claim their birth experience and understand what is happening to our bodies in birth. Mary Antoinette would soon have the women up doing primal dance moves that will move them and their babies through this primal experience we call birth. I watched this young mother tighten up her shoulders as another one of the Haitian apprentice midwives, Cason, gently massaged her shoulders. I explained the importance of allowing the baby to be born through our bodies and how relaxation allows the release of hormones and endorphins. I kept an eye on this young mother, now knowing that she was the reason why I stayed a couple days longer. Soon we were up doing our exercises and forming a circle of women that would learn our primal dance steps and gently massage each other’s shoulders as we moved in a circle one way, only to reverse the dancing circle and now massage the hips in front of you.

As the dancing was ending, I snuck away before prenatals started on the thirty plus women that showed up to go and connect with Betina, the young mother. We smiled, connected and said a few words as she was allowing her body to have contractions. Since she was in early labor, I worked the morning doing prenatals with the women. As the afternoon progressed and the women left, Mary Antoinette, the first translator and then apprentice at MHI, stayed with me with Betina. Her sister came and I was to find out that both of them were professional dancers in Ayiti (Haiti). Mary and I too are dancers so it was just normal for us all to dance, we could hear the drums in our heads and we would move our hips and bodies to the beat either bringing on the contractions or moving through them. Betina and her sweet baby were figuring out how to move with this birthing ceremony of life. Again it was a great honor to be there with the women doing a primal dance of life.

As night came onto us, Mary Antoinette being very pregnant, went to rest and take a nap. Betina’s mom and husband did the same. That just left Betina, her sweet baby and me to move together. I gave her a strong deep massage that loosened up all the muscles in the front and back of her pelvis and touched and talked to the baby while I was massaging. I massaged her through contractions and restful minutes, as labor was now getting more intense. This intensity is something as a midwife that I love, it not only brings the baby closer but it brings the woman to a powerful place that connects her to the greatest of all mother, the earth. It is a powerful energy that I am able to tap into as the mother now is well connected to her “work” and of course the work of her baby that connects her to a deep primal place. This hard work that we do for the earth and of course it comes back to us as women in our own personal growth.

Betina then got up after her massage and started moving in her dance, the African bird was opening her up, her baby was moving down through her pelvis and I was there to again witness and help. When the baby got low, she moved to the ground and curled up, I went and got two pillows, one for her head and one between her legs and laid down to hold her. Betina had chosen the ground, not a bed to birth and I knew and she knew just where to be. She was holding onto me tightly in a big hug and she looked and me so sweetly and said,” I love you Clare,” I did not even know she spoke English. I was so touched and honored to be part of love again. I called out to Mary Antoinette to come and catch her baby and to her mom who was also resting and to her supportive husband. Mary Antoinette gracefully supported the head and Betina as the baby come into the world, I was privileged to keep her in my arms breathing with her. Betina controlled her breath in a deep “aaaa” as her body opened up to let her baby come so peacefully to her. Again I was blessed to witness this ceremony of birth and the power of a young woman.

Later Betina and her husband asked Mary to interpret for them, they asked me if I would name their baby. I was shocked, as it is a big responsibility to name a baby, the name that they will hear and it will become who they are. At first, I was questioning whether I was ready to do this naming of a baby, but I heard my “motherwit” speak…say yes. I answered that I was honored but the name would be African,. it would go back to their ancestors just as she did when she birthed. They smiled and the next day, Mary Antoinette and I went to her home to give the baby her name. It came to me so strongly, Sankofa…the name of an African bird that means to go back and get it. It meant for me that Sankofa had come to her mom, allowed her to fill the power of that mighty African bird which Betina had become during her dance of birth. I explained this to the family when I came, and they all smiled, it was the name that they wanted. I was asked to be the godmother of my special birthday baby gift, Sankofa.

Father Love

Mary and proud Mamma & Papa of Sankofa

Clare & Sankofa's family

Midwifery Students: Stories from the Ground at Soley Lavi, Jacmel, Haiti

We are happy to share with you the stories from our midwifery students in their own words from the ground in Jacmel.

Fabienne Toussoint

Casaudre Marie Solomon

Jean Philippe, Marie Christane (Krista)

Fabienne Toussoint

Translator/apprentice midwife

First of all I like nursing. I did know if i could do this and midwifery but i saw that i could when i started to work for Soley Lavi because it was not a difficult thing. When I choose something to learn at school in PAP, I chose accounting but people told me, "Why do you choose accounting, you look like a nurse?". When I see people suffering it gave me a headache but i would think, I am suppose to try to help someone who has a problem. After I help women at Soley Lavi and see them afterwards, they always thank me and tell me that i am good. It is good for women to be able to birth and get prenatal care and after birth care at Soley Lavi. We take good care of mothers and babies. They feel comfortable with us at Soley Lavi. When I compare if to what happens in the hospital I see a big difference. The way we talk to the moms at Soley Lavi is good as we treat them with respect. We do good work for the women to believe in natural birth. At the hospital they give the women pitocin and they do an episiotomy even if they do not need it, they do it. We give waters, walking, dancing, breathing and lots of love. I want this clinic to always stay alive because it does good work.

Casaudre Marie Solomon, Student Midwife

When I was a sales woman and came to sell clothes at MHI and left my phone number with the women to call me if they needed more. Then i met Dr.Mathilde Coste at MHI (Soley Lavi) and she told me that there are classes here to be a midwife and good women here. I came to work and sleep at the clinic with Mathilde and was so happy to be with her. My dream is to learn to be a midwife so when Melinda came and Mathilde was gone I learned from her. I think about midwifery because the way we treat women here is so different than the hospital. I remember one time we had a woman birth and she bit Marie Antoinette who did not say anything. I helped hold her. I love the vision of Soley Lavi. When you see a woman you think of life because women keep life going. The spiritual side, the compassionate side, the strong side of women. I believe in that. I give help and I learn. What I learn from the other person and help other women that need help too. For example last week I met someone at midnight, at birth she needed help at her home. I knew what to do and no one knew because when the baby was born the cord broke. Although I did not have gloves on I helped that baby. I saw life and I knew I should be using gloves but i did not have them, but i knew i needed to help that baby. I want this clinic to stay alive to make a good life for Haitian women. I want more women to learn and help other women.

Jean Philippe, Marie Christane (Krista), Student Midwife

This is my dream when I was in school to become a nurse. When my father died I could not realize my dream because I did not have help. I want to go back to school, I just need one more year to finish. I have one more year of classes. I met Marie Antoinette who wanted me to come to Soley Lavi. I like studying midwifery and it makes me realize that I want to go back to school. I like Soley Lavi because it helps the women and they do not need pitocin. We talk to the women, help them, encourage them, show them how to treat the babies. I like all things here at Soley Lavi. Before my experience at Soley Lavi I was afraid of blood, now blood does not bother me. I am always happy when I come to Soley Lavi.

Help us meet Millennium Development Goal (MGD) #7

Mother Health International is making every effort to reduce our waste and move away from using disposable products at our birth clinic. We are no longer using disposable diapers, moon pads and Chux pads.
Help us meet Millennium Development Goal  #7
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Mother Health International has created health protocols to provide a safe, clean and sanitized place for mothers to birth their babies. We have also incorporated into our protocols cord-burning to greatly reduce the risk of infection. Our clinic is based a traditional model of the midwifery model of care, which tends to use less medical interventions, also uses and generates less toxic medical wastes. Efforts to utilize local nutritional and botanical medicinal resources also enhance sustainability. Mother Health International has eliminated the use of as many disposable products as possible to reduce the amount of waste our birth clinic creates.
In order to help us meet this goal we are asking for donations of cloth diapers, reusable moon pads and cotton mattress pads to name a few of the products. To help us succeed in this effort we have created an Amazon Wish List to make purchases of these items which will be hand carried to Haiti by our fabulous volunteers. Thank you in advance for supporting these efforts.

Shower Baby & Clinic Life-Building Community

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

Happy 1st Birthday Mother Health International

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

To the Mother Health International Community:

With a tremendous amount of hard work, generous financial contributions from those individuals and organizations who believe in the MHI model of care, a lot of love, kindness, and a strong desire to preserve the sacredness of birth and offer a safe place for Haitian women to birth, the MHI birth clinic was officially born a year ago today.  
Happy 1st Birthday Mother Health International! 

"We're building a new generation in Haiti, starting in Jacmel, where love is in the middle of the MHI team and all the women that we've been taken care of. Our Haitian women are very courageous and strong, they know how to take care of their children but, they are some things that they do not know that can make the difference between life and death. Through the course of prenatal care at MHI birth center, each woman gets an opportunity to further their education to maintain a healthy pregnancy and family through teaching on hygiene, nutrition, breast feeding, gentle parenting and much more. We're trying to create a relationship between us and the women, something that can help to touch their heart. When you touch someone's heart you can change their life. My relationship with MHI clients shows me that we are indeed doing that. Thank you for keeping us alive this past year! Over 400 babies were lovingly born here and thousands of women cared for. Help us continue to live out our vision for the families in Jacmel," Ninotte Lubin, MHI Administrator & Midwifery Student

"From the original seed of a disaster relief clinic, MHI's birth clinic in Jacmel has evolved to a Haitian community traditional birthing center. The Haitian women have now become the primary administrators and care givers to their community. We are grateful for their strength, their dedication and love for this project. International support now consists of donations and mentoring by midwifes and other healthcare professionals. This clinic is continuing to grow and evolve with your financial help and love. We are becoming a unique example of a culturally based traditional midwifery model of care. We could not do it without all of your support. Our deepest thanks and love go out to all of you." Clare Loprinzi, Traditional Midwife, CPM & Dr. Joseph Kassel, ND, LAc., MHI Volunteer Medical Advisory Board Members

"To all the women in Haiti and the amazing volunteer team I work with each day, thank you. To the many individual and corporate donors who have been so generous with your contributions and support, thank you. To the many many volunteers who have come to Haiti, thank you.  I am personally blessed and honored to work along side such an amazing team who gives of their heart and soul each day to sustain this beautiful birth clinic. It is truly a privileged to do this work and it has forever transformed me. This is what I was born to do in this lifetime. Merci ladies of Haiti for giving me the opportunity to fulfill this calling." Heather L. Maurer, MHI Volunteer Executive Director & Co-founder


Please consider donating today to help us celebrate our 1 year anniversary and our recently granted 501(c)3 status. Visit our website: www.motherhealthinternational.org

In great gratitude,
The Mother Health International Team  

Mother Health International is a 501(c)3 tax exempt public charity. Your donation is considered tax deductible under the guidelines and rules of the IRS-USA.

Employment Opportunities

Mother Health International Job Openings
On-Site Midwifery Coordinator
Jacmel, Haiti

Mother Health International has two On-Site Midwifery Coordinator positions available. The MHI On-Site Midwifery Coordinator’s primary responsibility is being the primary midwife NARM preceptor at the MHI birth clinic. This is an amazing life changing opportunity for someone who wants to work within a traditional midwifery model of care.

Primary duties include:

• Works with the Volunteer Medical Advisory Board President, Clare Loprinzi, Traditional Midwife, CPM on the educational program for the apprentices and overseeing this on the ground in Haiti.

• Attends births working within the MHI protocols and upholding the MHI model of care.

• Works with the Administrator of MHI on maintaining the midwifery side of the clinic.

• Maintains all NARM protocols for apprentices.

• Communicates on a bi-weekly basis in an email or skype with the President of the Board of Directors as it pertains to this job.

• Welcomes and orients volunteers to the clinic.

Additional details:

• Teaches apprentices while following the MHI protocols, helps improve the clinic day efficiency working alongside the MHI administrator in the clinic to help identify and find solutions to the midwifery related issues that pertain to clinic.

• Working with volunteer midwives and Haitian apprentices to create prenatal education that the Haitian apprentices teach the moms on prenatal days to include healthy pregnancy, breastfeeding, nutrition, peaceful parenting, labor, birth and postpartum care.

• Oversees the midwifery care we give while working and abiding to the MHI protocols; communicates with the Administrator and the President of the Board of Directors on ways to improve the care we give and reports back the weekly updates on the happenings at the clinic as it pertains to this job.

• Sets the tone and protects the space for all births to be seen as a sacred right for the mother, child and family attending.

• Teaches apprentices to do monthly clinic statistics

• Facilitate study time on a weekly basis in a formal setting/interactive “classroom” discussion time

• Facilitates and encourages volunteer midwives to teach students in clinic and outside clinic times

• Orients volunteer midwives to clinic systems and supplies, meds, etc. Explains and goes over the protocol book and all current systems pertaining to the clinic. Orients volunteers to the house and Jacmel, laundry, meals, clean up, changing money and overall cultural norms in Haiti.

Requirements:

• A willingness to live in our volunteer birth clinic for a minimum of eight months of time preferably a year in Jacmel, Haiti as the primary midwife on duty.

• This position requires NARM preceptor certificate/approval. Midwife may be a direct entry, traditional, certified professional midwife or certified nurse midwife willing to work within a traditional midwifery model of care.

• Must bring in a list of supplies needed for the clinic plus help raise money for the clinic.

What MHI will provide:

This position will be given a small monthly stipend for spending money. All on ground expenses are paid for including housing, food, and high speed Internet. Unpaid vacation time.

Mother Health International’s Mission

Mother Health International is dedicated to respond and provide relief to pregnant women and children in areas of disaster and extreme poverty. We are committed to reducing the maternal and infant mortality rates by creating healthy, sustainable holistic birth clinics using the midwifery model of care with culturally appropriate, education for the health and empowerment of women. With every healthy birth there is a positive benefit for the communities that we serve and the world as a whole. Our ultimate mission is to empower and educate the local clinic staff, with gender equality, to become the health care providers for their community

Volunter Administrative Team
Heather L. Maurer, Co-Founder, Executive Director


The Medical Advisory Board’s Mission

The Mother Health International Advisory Board is a broad collaboration of practitioners advising and supporting Mother Health International to create the bridge between high technology obstetric care and the excellent outcomes provided by the low technology, hands on midwifery model of care in impoverished and disaster stricken countries. The collection of our data will provide inspiration for birthing centers worldwide.


Volunteer Medical Advisory Board
Clare Loprinzi, Traditional Midwife, CPM, MCH certificate
Carol Roedocker, CNM
Dr. Jade Patti McGaff, MD,OB/GYN
Dr. Mathilde Costa, MD, OB/GYN
Dr. Misha Kassel, MD, Emergency Medicine
Dr. Joseph Kassel, ND, LAc.


Words from Melinda McClaren, Current On-Site Midwifery Coordinator

I came to Haiti not knowing what to expect or who to believe about the
situation here. The news and people coming back from the quake shaken
land told stories of horror and sorrow, of danger and strife. However
the story I now know of Haiti is one of love, strength, humor and all
good things among the hardships faced in a 3rd world country rocked by
injustice on every level. I am proud to say that I came to Haiti with
an open heart and have been given one back by each person I met.
Haitians have moved into my heart and soul in a way that no other
peoples have. I must say “thank you” to my dear friends here in Jacmel
for embracing me and wanting me to “become” Haitian, to be able to see
life from their perspective. I am honored. Now down to what I do
here.... Well, if you haven't heard there is this amazing birth center, the
Mother Health International birth clinic, that started up in Jacmel just
after the earthquake of 2010. I was living in Canada when I came
across the work that MHI was doing in Haiti and I just knew that this
was it for me. I saw the website and my heart was set. I have worked
overseas several times and the thought of doing midwifery in a developing country
set my heart on fire. I know the difference one midwife can make
in the life of a family. I know that just simple sharing of knowledge
regarding hygiene and nutrition can make the difference for a mom and
baby. Education is the key to empowerment and empowerment is just what
Haitian women need. At the MHI birth center we have woman from all
over the place coming to us for care, some are city folks, others are
from the boonies (jungle-country side) and there is a vast difference
in education between these two groups. Teaching people the basics on
breast feeding actually can save a baby’s life. There are quite a few
mothers that were feeding their babies sugar water until their “true”
milk came in. This a dangerous practice and we get an opportunity to
share with women how they can effectively care for their wee ones to
prevent all sorts of problems sugar water can cause. This is just one
example and there are so many to tell!

Women empowerment.... This is another great aspect of doing
midwifery in Haiti. You know being a midwife can allow you access into
a woman’s and families life in a way that very few professions allow.
Being present with a woman through the childbearing process allows you
the most intimate window into her life an the potential to be a close
friend and guide when she needs it most. It is to come alongside her body,
spirit and soul and believe in her innate capabilities,
believing in her as a mother, as a co-creationist in regards to her
child but also the direction of her life and energies. Becoming a
mother changes a woman and has the potential to inspire significant
life changes for the betterment of herself, her family and her
community. Love is a very strong driving force that can move a woman
from one state of being to another. This is what I live to see in
Haiti, and this is what I have been seeing in the women we care for.
This what makes this work of consultations and birthing so rewarding.
I see new life being born, not just in the newborn, but it is in the
woman becoming a mother, a more aware, responsible and stronger being
that is being born also.Haiti can make it, can rebuild itself, if we start working together
one life at a time, one relationship, one situation at a time, change
can happen and is happening everyday. Like it, live it, see it! This is an opportunity
that will change our life as a midwife and allow you to travel deeper into the
tradition of midwifery. This work and time with the Haitian people is one of the
greatest experience and gifts I have ever received. And it has profoundly
impacted my life in a beautiful way.