And THIS is how my very first attempt at a homebirth went- eventual cesarean section in the hospital the next day! haha huhu...maybe i won't recount the tale for all to hear on this. It could've been worse...bUT, just know that it was tried. and relationships were formed that won't ever be forgotten!
Here we (a budding midwife, Joan and myself) with Faith and the first ever addition to their family, Alexandra! She's a doLL!
It's ALmost Christmassssss!! The amazing giRLS of the OC have decorated with lighTS- which makes me super excited. WHenever I see a Christmas tree I literally cry at the thought of seeing the one in my own family room in Canada this year... can'T wait. but can, at the same time.
This weekend has been jammed pACKed fuLL of activities and emotions- scuba, beach, continuities, being called in for deliveries in the middle of night, shifts, sleepless nights, people packing, people leaving, immigration, blahhhh. One more week... and then what?!...
This is BK's 2ND catch! On a first day check up. These filipino babies are just so small and easy to hold - i like holding them in such a way that it makes mothers gawk and then laugh at how comfortable we are with handling little ones.
and THis is her 4TH handle... such a fun (and FAST!) birth, but BK was there, ready to catch the baby flying out of the mother of 4 now. Although, the shoulders were a little tight still inside, and a little downward traction was needed to help the baby out. BK is becoming more and more comfortable pulling'em out! and i LOVE it!
mmm.. eating sushi. this japanese restaurant could quite possibly be my favourite place to eat in aLL of Davao- sayanG Joan and I just found it with onLY a few short weeks left of my time here!
YES! Agdao prenatals are still in fuLL swing! Every thursday myself along with 2 or 3 (sometimes 4) others serve the impoverished people of Agdao with free prenatal and baby check-ups. This also gives the women, who would otherwise deliver at home or in the less-than-desirable public hospital, a chance to deliver their babies at Mercy Maternity Center! I think we've had about 6 women since August deliver at Mercy! We're planning yet another "buntis party" (party for the preggies) this coming Dec.18 - my very last opportunity to see these women, as i'll be flying home Dec.23rd. It's sad, but past and present patients have all been invited for a last hurrah. The exciting part is that Agdao Clinic will not fade away after I leave. The new girLs that have been helping me out since September are willing to continue overseeing it!! Which puts my heart at ease, the women of Agdao will be left in very capable hands.
in and amidst the hEAT, the business of liFE as a midwife, stressors of homework (for bk), we were able to take a break, rest, and relax in aircon at the Marco Polo Hotel for a night, in honour of Janelle's belated birthday. We captured her, gagged and bound her and took her blinded to the 4th floor of the hotel where we proceeded to push her in the pool! She loved it. It was great... love ya girls! In this pic we're just sitting down to enjoy breakfast on the 17th floor =)
