First Delivery!

Happy Eid Al-Fitr! As Grace and I were leaving our apartment, our neighbors invited us in for some food and drink to celebrate Eid, the biggest Muslim holiday of the year. They offered us sweet, warm milk as we played with their three little girls dressed in traditional dresses and henna tattoos. Then we walked to the central markets to see if the streets would be any different for the holiday. Since all schools and some businesses were closed, the streets were less crowded but a lot of Muslims were gathering in celebration. We might go with our neighbors to get our own henna tattoos in celebration of the second day of Eid. 

Even more exciting though…I assisted in my first delivery today!!! I spent the afternoon in the maternity ward. At first, I was a little uncomfortable because there weren’t any other students or doctors in the ward, just grumpy nurses nonchalantly going about their own business. I have zero experience in delivery so I had no idea how to react to the constant moans of the women staring at me with looks of helplessness. And I’m sure the process is very different than in America…no epidurals or family support at Mount Meru. The delivery beds are about two feet apart, so a mother giving birth could literally touch the hand of another giving birth right next to her. Gosh, words cannot even describe how different things are from the hospitals back home. Anyways, I was standing their thinking of ways I could possibly help when a nurse came up to me and asked if I could deliver a baby. Uhh… I wish but I have never witnessed a child birth in my entire life. I felt useless but you have to start somewhere, right? Thankfully, a very kind nurse by the name of Jenn took me under her wing and before I knew it, we were standing at the foot of the bed delivering a little baby boy. I know I keep saying this but it was honestly the most remarkable experience I have had on this trip so far. What an amazing sight to see…watching a little baby take its first breathe of air! I had the honor of carrying the baby to post-natal and laying it moms chest :) 15 minutes later, another woman started going into labor. This time, the nurse let me give the oxytocin shot after the baby’s head came out (apparently they do it later in America). This time the delivery didn’t go as smoothly though. The umbilical cord was wrapped around the neck, baby was very blue, and wasn’t breathing. I think my heart stopped for a beat. I really thought the little one didn’t make it. But after rubbing and stimulating the little guy, he finally cried out and I think a big relief overcame all of us. Thank God!  Hoping to see even more deliveries tomorrow but you never know what to expect at the hospital. I’m sure I’ll have more stories regardless. 

I hope all is well back in The States. I miss my friends, family, vegetable steamer, and being able to walk outside by myself. There will be a lot to miss from Tanzania once I’m home though. It’s funny how you miss some of the little things and how much perspectives change when you’re away from home. Okay, now I’m just ranting in my deliriously tired state. Time for bed. I Miss and love you all! Xoxo

 Welcome to the world little nugget :)