Dear Diary,
Yes that is what this blog has turned into for me, a place where I can relay my thoughts and feelings. So back to that emotional roller coaster, these past few days have been all right. The frustration remains, but my outlook has changed.
Yesterday I got a package from my family. WOW! I can not tell you how good a “fruit to go snack” tastes. In saying that we have been eating really well, but home will always be home (and when I return all I will want in Nshima). It took almost 2 months to get the package, but it made my whole week! Thanks mom and dad.
Yesterday was one of my favourite days in Africa. Right up there with my visits to the orphanage. I worked on the labour and delivery ward while Jessica went to the HIV clinic. Right off the bat a women was set up to go to the operating room for a Caesarean Section. She had a previous section for having a big baby that wouldn’t fit through her pelvis (CPD) and was not progressing with this baby, so she was sent to the OR. In the OR, the General Practice doctor scrubbed in (remember they have no surgeons) and the woman was put under general anaesthetics (usually in Canada we would use an epidural as it is less of a risk for the mom and baby). The baby was born pretty blue….so the midwife held the baby up by the feet and started to rub the baby to get it to cry….The methods used to stimulate the baby’s first breath were different than ours (I’ve never seen a baby held upside down from it’s feet!!) but regardless, the baby was fine and we welcomed a baby girl into the world.
As I got back to the ward, there was a first time mom who was starting to push. I popped into the labour room and the midwife says, “do you want to deliver this one” as she was cleaning up after the last delivery (which was right beside this bed only 1 foot away). I thought, well I taught all the students the theory on how to deliver babies, and I’ve seen lots before, and she is only right there. So I did it! I delivered my first baby all on my own. It was so amazing, this mom did really well, and the baby was a little premature (34 weeks) which I was kind of glad because it slipped out of there real nice and was very vigorous too. The midwifes were so supportive all day and it was one of my favourite hospital experiences. Plus, it reminded me of home and how amazing my job is. I am so lucky to be a nurse, I get to teach and be with patients….It is the best of both worlds here.
A few things I need to note so you can get the full experience. Women who have babies here are often quite young and usually have many many children. The first time being pregnant, as we all know, can be a scary experience. In Canada the support of a labouring patient is unreal. There is the husband/boyfriend, the nurses, the doctor/midwife, the extended family, a few friends, maybe a doula….lots of people. Women here are not allowed to have anyone in the room while they deliver except the midwife. Imagine being 16 and having your first child while a stranger is yelling at you to push. I think this is why I felt so humble that I could be part of this experience for this amazingly stoic woman. However, once the baby is delivered, the extended family does EVERYTHING. From watching the IV rate (mainly to see if it stops dripping) to bathing the baby and mother. Things are not better or worse here, they are just different and it is so important to keep this in mind when seeing a new culture in play.
When I called my mom to thank her for the package she made a really good point. “You are making a difference Lianne, you helped bring a new life into the world today.” This is the taken for granted little things that I am able to do everyday to make a difference. I am so grateful that this was pointed out because it makes me realise how much the little things in life do count. It doesn’t matter if you are in Africa, Canada, or China (at the Olympics), one person has the ability to make a difference in someone’s life. Think about it, whether you are working with palliative patients, delivering babies, caring for new families, shaping the young minds of the world, or just being a good friend you are touching the lives around you in some way. I have just listed a few of the roles that come to my mind. You guys reading this blog and sending your words of encouragement, funny stories, or even just stories about what you made for dinner last night really make a difference in my life, and I never ever want you to forget about it.
Yes that is what this blog has turned into for me, a place where I can relay my thoughts and feelings. So back to that emotional roller coaster, these past few days have been all right. The frustration remains, but my outlook has changed.
Yesterday I got a package from my family. WOW! I can not tell you how good a “fruit to go snack” tastes. In saying that we have been eating really well, but home will always be home (and when I return all I will want in Nshima). It took almost 2 months to get the package, but it made my whole week! Thanks mom and dad.
Yesterday was one of my favourite days in Africa. Right up there with my visits to the orphanage. I worked on the labour and delivery ward while Jessica went to the HIV clinic. Right off the bat a women was set up to go to the operating room for a Caesarean Section. She had a previous section for having a big baby that wouldn’t fit through her pelvis (CPD) and was not progressing with this baby, so she was sent to the OR. In the OR, the General Practice doctor scrubbed in (remember they have no surgeons) and the woman was put under general anaesthetics (usually in Canada we would use an epidural as it is less of a risk for the mom and baby). The baby was born pretty blue….so the midwife held the baby up by the feet and started to rub the baby to get it to cry….The methods used to stimulate the baby’s first breath were different than ours (I’ve never seen a baby held upside down from it’s feet!!) but regardless, the baby was fine and we welcomed a baby girl into the world.
As I got back to the ward, there was a first time mom who was starting to push. I popped into the labour room and the midwife says, “do you want to deliver this one” as she was cleaning up after the last delivery (which was right beside this bed only 1 foot away). I thought, well I taught all the students the theory on how to deliver babies, and I’ve seen lots before, and she is only right there. So I did it! I delivered my first baby all on my own. It was so amazing, this mom did really well, and the baby was a little premature (34 weeks) which I was kind of glad because it slipped out of there real nice and was very vigorous too. The midwifes were so supportive all day and it was one of my favourite hospital experiences. Plus, it reminded me of home and how amazing my job is. I am so lucky to be a nurse, I get to teach and be with patients….It is the best of both worlds here.
A few things I need to note so you can get the full experience. Women who have babies here are often quite young and usually have many many children. The first time being pregnant, as we all know, can be a scary experience. In Canada the support of a labouring patient is unreal. There is the husband/boyfriend, the nurses, the doctor/midwife, the extended family, a few friends, maybe a doula….lots of people. Women here are not allowed to have anyone in the room while they deliver except the midwife. Imagine being 16 and having your first child while a stranger is yelling at you to push. I think this is why I felt so humble that I could be part of this experience for this amazingly stoic woman. However, once the baby is delivered, the extended family does EVERYTHING. From watching the IV rate (mainly to see if it stops dripping) to bathing the baby and mother. Things are not better or worse here, they are just different and it is so important to keep this in mind when seeing a new culture in play.
When I called my mom to thank her for the package she made a really good point. “You are making a difference Lianne, you helped bring a new life into the world today.” This is the taken for granted little things that I am able to do everyday to make a difference. I am so grateful that this was pointed out because it makes me realise how much the little things in life do count. It doesn’t matter if you are in Africa, Canada, or China (at the Olympics), one person has the ability to make a difference in someone’s life. Think about it, whether you are working with palliative patients, delivering babies, caring for new families, shaping the young minds of the world, or just being a good friend you are touching the lives around you in some way. I have just listed a few of the roles that come to my mind. You guys reading this blog and sending your words of encouragement, funny stories, or even just stories about what you made for dinner last night really make a difference in my life, and I never ever want you to forget about it.
love Lianne
2 comments:
Congratulations Lianne on delivering your first baby! Here's to many more!
great to hear you say that lianne. the girls here have made you an honorary "ldr nurse". when can you start[ha ha].it is such a humbling experience to work with hiv, just remember that even if you are not saving them you are making their time left, a little better.[ and isn't that all we could ever ask for]. love and pride[your stories beat out the olympics anyday] mom and dad
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