Yesterday, we had a busy day so we decided to watch a movie last night to relax a bit before heading off to bed. Our minds were filled with a days worth of studies and we needed to take a mental break. Ruth, Becka, and I finished up the movie and Ruth and I walked home around 10 p.m. I laid in my bed and read my Bible and then drifted off to sleep. Around 1:30 a.m. today, we were texted that we had a woman in labor at the clinic. D.J and Mildred, local Philippine midwives, were already with the lady and Becka, our teacher and midwife, pulled up to the stairs of our apartment and we got in so we could all drive to the clinic. Not much time to sleep, but we were ready to get to work. We arrived and there was a lady we had been seeing at the clinic throughout her pregnancy. Her name is Mary Jane and her husband’s name is Rodel. She was in labor, but her contractions were irregular and since this was her first delivery, we knew it would take a while for her to dilate. We have learned that for the baby to get moving outward that all the different muscles of the uterus must get in synch…longitudinal working with circular working with…all in synch to get the baby to move on along. So, in the mean time, it was comfort measures for the mother because she continued with contractions as her uterus warmed up. We tried standing, squatting, back massage, leg massage, breathing slow, all to try to help the mother make it to transition so the baby could move down the birth canal. The last position we were in was one that allowed us to see the baby’s head from time to time whenever there was a contraction. It was a surreal moment waiting for her child’s face to appear and when it did, I was able to wipe off the baby’s face until the next contraction pushed the baby out. That contraction came and Becka gave me instructions on what midwives call “catching” the baby. All I could think of were my days of egg toss and how CAREFUL you have to be when receiving something so fragile. The reality though is that baby’s are already programmed to come out and are quite resilient so I didn’t have much to worry about. Becka put her hands over mine. The head came fully out facing the back of the mother, then turned to face the inner thigh so the shoulders could come through. We helped the left shoulder out and the arm just stuck out as if the reach us. The rest of the baby came. I really can’t explain what lie in my hands but one word comes to mind---MIRACLE. What God can do, how he can bring us through even the most narrowest passages and how he has prepared us to survive is awesome!

 It was time to deliver the placenta. I felt it for a pulse and there was still one so we waited for the placenta to detach from the uterine wall. It finally did and with a slight amount of traction, the rest of the cord came out along with the placenta. Usually this happens and it collects in a basin, but in particular instance, it was a bit different. The mother was sitting on a birthing stool and I was at her feet facing her. I saw the placenta coming and when I saw the size it and what was coming before it, it was like I was backing away from a soon to be tidal wave. Before I could do anything, it was in the basin and because the placenta hit after the blood had filled the basin, my lower legs were covered in blood. No problem…I was glad the mother delivered her placenta and I knew her contractions would be waning. The baby girl was beautiful and I had been a part of helping the mother deliver her. How amazing and what and honor. We checked on the family throughout the rest of the day and thankfully, there was no class today because of the birth. I think we learned enough as it was and we sure got time to practice what we have learned already. We just got back a few minutes ago after bringing the family dinner and I am going to bring the mother her washed clothes in the morning so she has something fresh to put on when she leaves out. We had a chance to pray with her before we left for the night and all I can remember is the smile on the mother’s face as we cared for her. She was shy and somewhat hesitant to receive pampering, but after all she has been through, a foot rub, washing her clothes, or just words of encouragement as she learns to breastfeed is well worth the heart just to show her we care for her and think it is an awesome thing she has just done! Goodnight…we had prenatal check-ups today after the birth and we have 2 overdue mothers and so I am going to grab some sleep!!!