I have been trying to get this letter sent for the past month...it's been in the back of my mind, but then other distractions keep coming up! =)
It seems like time has sped up these last few months, and I can hardly believe that it's November already! I know you are all busy...so I just want to give you a snapshot of what the last few months have held, and especially the last week or so.
I'm back in the Philippines now. I was home, visiting family and friends for almost four weeks in the end of September and early October. It was such a great time! It was really great to see each of you that I saw during my time there! And if I didn't see you... I'll be back in February, so hopefully I can see you then. =) Thanks also to New Song Church, for all of your prayers and support.
My trip home was busy, but full of good times, and lots of travel.
In the middle of September, the Kayla, Alex, and Mia, completed all of the clinical numbers they needed, and headed back home. So then it was time for a transition me also. We have students working at the clinic in Antipolo still, and they are being supervised by Imelda, one of our Filipino midwives. When I came back from the States I went right to Puerto Galera....back where I started last October. Our clinic here has been open for about a year now, and it is neat to see people that I know, and who know us. We have also been getting busier, little by little.....part of that I think is because people see that we are here to stay, and that we really do know what we are doing. =) And another reason is the one of the main local midwives, Grace, who we are friends with, retired from midwifery and is now on the city council. And she's referring all of her patients to us now!
The week I got back to the Philippines was actually very busy....for us! We had a midwifery intensive starting that week. This was offered to anyone interested in midwifery, or hoping to get some more experience for midwifery certification. The two ladies, Trish and Ruth, that came, are both interested in pursing midwifery in their futures. They were so great to have here, and were eager to learn, with great attitudes. I had a whole week of teaching laid out....but other things came up and we ended up spending most of our time in the birth room....very hands on learning! We had 5 births that week, and two more over the weekend. They all went really well....each had their dramatic moments, but they were fun, and each one was safe and good. There is something sacred in it; when you see a mom as she labors, and then she is able to deliver her baby....all on her own...into a safe, warm, loving environment. She is able to see that her body works as God intended....and that she is so strong! I am constantly amazed at the strength of these women...how they hardly ever make noise...and though they have their doubts at times...they know they have to have this baby! A very common part of the culture here is for local midwives, and even doctors in the hospitals, to help to push the baby out by putting pressure, pushing down, on the top of the mother's belly as she is pushing. Yes, this may make the baby come a little faster, but it can cause damage to both mother and baby. So we tell family members not to do that...and sometimes the mothers themselves ask for it, but I love to tell them....no, we don't need to do that, your body can get this baby out on it's own...you will be the one to get this baby out, not me! I don't know if they always enjoy hearing this at the time....but after they get that baby out on their own...they will believe it even more. =)
I've included some pictures of the births that we had. The first is right after birth, we are clamping and cutting the baby's cord...this is her first baby...a boy, and they named him after her father. The next picture is of their new little family.
We did a home visit three days after the birth to the next mom and her little girl...they are doing well. Her and her husband and the baby live in that little room, in a house they share with another family.
The next two are of a mom who had her fourth baby. Her husband is away until December, fishing off an island in the south. He will come home to a new little surprise! She let her eldest daughter name the baby...her new sister. The last picture is of her and her children during the home visit we did.
Well, there is a brief update for you!
I will be staying in Puerto Galera until mid January, and then I will go to Manila for a few weeks for another hospital rotation, and then in mid February I will be returning to Oregon for the time being. And then we will see what is next after that!
May the Prince of Peace be with you!
Becka
