Imaccula's Birth Story

Imaccula, 30 years old having her first baby. She comes to the clinic faithfully for prenatal check ups. There is something slightly different about this sweet woman. Three days after she was born, she was given water to drink instead of breastmilk. Sadly this water was contaiminated with typhoid and she deveolped typhoid fever. As a result her right arm became paralyzed to some degree and she has no use of her hand, it is all cripped and tight. Her right leg is also affected and cannot walk straight or run. However she made it through the typhoid and has become a stronger woman because of it. Imaccula just came to our clinic to give birth the night before last. She labored thoroughout the day and into the early evening. She got up and hobbled around despite contractions coming like waves upon her fragile body, she was active and in charge of her birth. As the time got closer to pushing, her mother drew near her side and massaged her, and talked to her firmly when she felt overwhelmed with the sensation of a baby making its way through her. Her mother was almost one with her in the labor, not doting on her but sharing in everything. You could see and feel the anticipation she had for this baby and the love for her daughter.


Immacula was on her hands and knees rocking back and forth during contractions, midwives and mothers standing by ready and present, however after one of those contractions, suprising to all around, the mother announced, “the head it out, the head it out”. She pushed so silently that no one realized the baby was just a push away. The midwive kneeled down to gently catch the baby as it came into her hands, the baby was then passed to the mother and lay on the bed with Imaccula looking over her baby in utter awe and wonder. Minutes later both mom and baby are settled snuggly in the bed and the first words I hear Imaccula say aftet birth is the sweet words only a mother can say “my child, my child, oh, look at my daughter, my child”. Some of us broke out in tears at the sound of these words. The pride and love you heard in her voice is not something I can transmit on paper, something that I will never forget. Then all of a sudden she became very strong in her voice and said....."I told you I am not going to give birth in the hospital, I am happy that I gave birth here, thank you, thank, you take care of me so sweet.” The birth was like a victory for her. It was amazing to watch her in the hours that followed, smiles and tender affection. Her mom told one of our assistant midwives, “you gave me everything for my daughter, may God bless you.”

It was indeed a blessing that she had a gentle birth, unfortunatley often times women like her that are different, crippled, etc are not treated well. Knowing how it could be for her in this situation, we gave her the best care and love that we could.

The next day, she was sitting outside on a bed under our porch. One of our translators walked up to her as she was coming on shift. Imaccula, looked from the translator to her baby and back to the translator with the biggest, shyest smile I have seen. She could not contain the joy and pride in being a mom, in holding her baby for the translator and the world to see. These moments are so precious in a cruel hard world. For this baby peace started at birth.

Melinda Maclaren, MHI Volunteer Midwife & Ninotte Lubin, MHI Administrator, Midwifery Student

Meet Shela Barthelemy-Student Midwife

My name is Shela Barthelemy. I am 23 years and I am from across the river from Jacmel. I am a very strong young Haitian woman. I want to work to find money, I have a lot on my plate now I had four sisters but I lost three sisters in the earthquake and my one brother is very sick now, close to death. I have been taking care of myself all the time, my father died when I was 10 years old and my mother lives in the Dominician Republic. MHI is helping me in my life so much and I thankful for this.


I want to congratulate the clinic for the care it give the women in pregnancy. I am very thankful for Clare Loprinzi for giving me the opportunity to learn about midwifery and English. I am in school taking English every day now so that I can translate in the clnic. Before I came to MHI I was already thinking that I would like to learn to become a Fanm Sage (midwife). I have had this thought since I was in third grade, but I did not have the money to go to school to learn this skill. When I came to MHI to accompany my sister in law was in labor, I was watching everything the midwives were doing during labor and helping as much as I could. When the midwives noticed how eager I was to learn, they asked if I would want to come regularly to learn and volunteer with the other midwives. I was so happy because my dream of becoming a midwife is coming true. And now I also have the opportunity to learn English. I am very excited for my future. I can’t believe that I get to live out my passion and that is to help women and babies.

I believe in this work so much, I would like to see that everyone is very serious about the care we give at the clinic.

Tata's Story-Mother Health International Jacmel, Haiti

My father and mother died when I was 21 yrs old. I had only God in my life. I now have 6 daughters and because of this I work hard to give them an education. My husband work is seasonal because he is gardener, so my children depend more on me. I also take care of my 2 nieces, which gives me a total of 8 children. So that is me, I love my life! I love my children!

 Tata in the MHI kitchen.

I know I am a good cook and it is my pleasure to cook for the midwives and to clean the house, clean the kitchen. I am so happy to do this for the midwives. I pray that MHI will be able to stay here in Haiti and have a long life.

I have a good ear on the community in Jacmel and what I hear is that people are very happy with us. The clinic gives good care because of the way midwives work and spend time each woman in labor. They are gentle with the women and that is what they need. I am proud to work for MHI. Thank you for coming to Haiti.