Again, while most of these posts have been written as a homeschooling mother for families to share about different aspects of Uganda, this one is about the work at the hospital and birth stories. You may want to read this first before you consider reading it aloud to your children.
Walking into the antenatal room, I find Lynelle, a team member, childbirth educator, and doula, working hard to relieve back labor. Quickly, she points out another laboring woman in need of counter pressure. Working with these mothers, soon another is asking for help with back labor. There are 30 or so laboring or sick expectant women in this room. We spend some time offering comfort measures, but eventually we have to leave.
After this day, I make the decision my service would be to follow those in transition through postpartum. I could not pick out one woman to aid with comfort measures while 29 others watched. Giving that special, more personal attention in the delivery room was something I could do, and something the hospital staff normally couldn’t provide due to the number of births and the small number of staff.
My First Birth 
: Followed sweet mamma from having her membrane stripped to 30 minutes later ready for delivery! While she moved into the pushing stage, we gave guidance and labor support. This is where one of my favorite sayings began, “You are doing GREAT! You are a strong mamma!”, and she was! Her own mother was standing in a closet doorway watching, worrying, and wiping a few tears. As the baby is born, we all rejoice and show the mother her new baby boy. Grandmother keeps an eye on him as he is weighed, given a vitamin K shot, and eye ointment. We quickly go retrieve a baby boy pack so generously given by friends and dress our first little guy. Going over to grandma, I give her a hug and offer congratulations. We prayed, thanking God for this new little life, asking His blessing on this family, and for the little fellow to be a mighty man of God. We were both wiping tears. The mamma says, “Thank you so much!” Thanking her for allowing us to be a part of her birth story, I also thank Him who brings forth the living”.
Newborn exam is completed, baby is dressed, mamma is ready to transfer to postpartum in what was one of my favorite things to see: the wheelchairs we brought with us! I did not see a wheelchair when we first arrived, but oh how I loved seeing those 4 wheelchairs rolling through the halls!
But first, “What time was he born?”, a hospital midwife asks. Yuh… We were so excited we forgot to look at the clock! That was o.k.; we estimated how long he had been born and all was well. Note to self, “Reduce celebrations until AFTER the clock is checked.”
Florence’s birth story: First time mother was ready to deliver. I was on one side of her bed providing labor support; her husband was on the other side. She was doing well and soon we could see the baby’s head. As he caresses his wife’s face between contractions, her husband whispers words of comfort and love. After a while, it was apparent the baby needed assistance. Usually the nurse midwives catch the babies, but now a doctor is with us. The baby needed vacuum extraction. The doctor attached the vacuum cup to the baby’s head and gave the dad the pump. With guidance from the doctor, he vacuumed out his little daughter! I sure was glad the doctor was there to look at the clock on this one! Praying with the family and rejoicing, all were soon ready for a trip to postpartum in a wonderful wheelchair. (Ha, ha. On this one, the doctor cut the cord which splashed me and the wall behind me.)
Sick mother: A young lady comes to hospital alone. She is homeless and living at a church she says. She is in active labor but looks small for 10 months gestation. She tells the doctor she has nothing for her birth. We quickly gather supplies she will need from our stash of donated items. HIV positive and with other serious health problems, we quickly realize she is not only in labor but about to give birth! With no time to move her, she gives birth to a baby girl in triage. After the newborn exam and when the mother is ready, we move her to postpartum. Suddenly 2 large bags of supplies appear. Since she is alone, others help her prepare her mat in the only space available on the floor. She tries to begin nursing, but it takes a while. With no one to get her food or water, I bring her some water and something to eat. The nurse midwife takes me aside, “Be careful. Some will ask for things because you are white thinking you have plenty when they are not really in need. This one was probably a run away; her story keeps changing.” What I saw was a new mother who she had no one to bring her water or food. She needed this food for her body. I prayed she would also receive the One who is Bread of Life.
Careb, our gateman, asks to speak to Lisa, our team coordinator. Our landlord also has left a message asking to speak with her. Careb’s mother is in the hospital with heart problems. May he have 30 minutes off to visit his mother? Of course! Careb rides to the hospital with us. Later in the morning, Lisa and I visit with Careb’s mother and pray for her healing.
Beautiful Kalen: A beautiful first time mother was laboring on the delivery table. She was having severe back labor. With Lynelle (I really enjoyed co-doulaing with Lynelle!) working on one side of the bed and me on the other, we applied strong counter pressure to help relieve the discomfort and hopefully open the way for birth. There was no progress in the baby’s movement for quite a while. Kalen was worried. Was her baby going to be alright? Grabbing a doppler, Chris listened to the baby’s heartbeat. It was good and strong. ”Listen, Kalen, that is your baby! Your baby is doing great!” Relief encouraged Kalen on. With slow labor, she began worrying again. Feeling she was having trouble, she began asking if she needed the surgery (c-section). We told her she was doing great, her baby was fine, and she was a very strong!” With all of the back labor, we were very suspicious the baby was posterior. Finally, Kalen’s body was ready to push. With Lynelle continuing on one side and me on the other, Kalen pushed, rested, pushed and rested until she gave birth to beautiful sunny side up baby girl! Clock? Who cared! Praying with her and rejoicing, we tell her what a great job she did. Pushing out a posterior baby is hard work, and she is a REALLY strong mamma!
Taking mamma to postpartum ward: She had just given birth, and I was wheeling her to postpartum. She picked out her bed, but we did not have her bags. After locating them, I was helping her negotiate bags, baby, I.V. bag,and the making her bed. With her family not there at that time, a couple of men watching this struggle, came over and began mading her bed. I thanked both of them for their kindness. One of the men said to me, “You don’t remember me do you.” I did remember him and his wife, who I had supported in labor the day before. He thanked me, and we talked of the Lord’s goodness. I asked after his wife and baby who had already been released from the hospital. Both were doing well. He introduced the other man who helped as his brother. As I began walking to leave the department, the brother asked me to check on another woman in the ward. Her I.V. drip was empty and blood was beginning to run into it. Replying, “I’ll find a nurse to check her right away. My, helping with making the bed and letting me know about the I.V. – You are taking such good care of the mothers.” He replied, “I’m very glad to do it, but this mamma also happens to be my wife.” After extending congratulations, I quickly brought this knight of postpartum a nurse for his own wife.
She just gave birth. Her baby has been taken for newborn exam. She can hear its crying and is following the sound with her eyes. The curtain is blocking her view. I move the curtain back; she sees her baby and smiles.
A first time mother is giving birth. Carey is there while we are at lunch. There is a complication. The baby is in trouble. The mother’s parents are with her. In walks a younger man. Is this the husband? No, her husband is gone. I hear this way too many times. The baby is born in a lot of meconium, and the mother is hemorrhaging. Knowing the baby is in big trouble, Carey begins resuscitation while the hospital staff work with the mother. After about 30 minutes, it is time to acknowledge the baby is gone. The great-grandmother walks over to see the baby. She feels its chest. Nothing. She puts her hand over its mouth. No breaths could be felt. The baby was gone. The family took the baby. Grieving with the family, we stay with the mother trying to warm her up. Later, she asked to see her baby. The family brought the baby in and the mother saw her little one.
Thirty minute later, another baby is stillborn. This was a rough day.
Our sweet mamma of boy and girl twins greats us with a smile every day she is in postpartum. She is beautiful and embracing her new blessings! We loved her hugs. Lisa brought a photo printer. She took pictures of the new mothers and their babies, printed them, stuffed them into a photo sleeve, and gave the mother’s what may be the only picture of their babies they ever have. That was a good day!
One boy, one girl, one happy mamma!
Lisa and I decided to visit the small children’s ward and torture a few babies. Well, that was NOT our intention; we hoped to brighten their day by giving them stuffed animals. Seeing white ladies baring strange stuffed animals didn’t seem to brighten their day. They all started crying! Oh well, that didn’t go as we hoped. 
At least the mother’s were smiling. A few days later, Carey and I took pictures in that ward. On the beds next to the children were their stuffed animals. They must have gotten used to them.
Sunday afternoon after church, Carey, Chris, and I decide to go to the hospital. For about a hour, all is very quiet. Then suddenly, a doctor comes in, “Do you want to catch a baby? One is about to be born.” Where did she come from? In we went. With me providing labor support, Chris is encouraging Carey to catch this time. In the next bed (a curtain is between the two) another mother has begun pushing. And it is the three of us! Suddenly, they are both crowning. A doctor is there with a third patient. He is starting to lay odds on who will birth first! Chris is between the two beds guiding Carey, instructing her in what to do. Both mother’s are birthing fast, but ours won! No time to celebrate in delivery row; Chris is off to triage to catch another baby! That made three births for us in about 5-10 minutes. That was different! Completing the newborn exams, figuring out times of births, cleaning up the mammas, and transferring them to postartum, we were ready to call it a day!
The hospital, as you have probably surmised, was very busy and did not have a lot of the technology or supplies available here, but the staff showed great resourcefulness while doing admirable work. The more I think about it, the more I am in awe. And grateful. The doctors and nurses, as busy as they were, gave me so many opportunities to learn. They could easily have skipped that added work, but they offered over and over. I am so humbled and grateful for the way they welcomed us in.
These are a few of the special births we participated in. Being able to provide encouragement, prayer, and comfort during those times is something I will always cherish. What a privilege! I’m so thankful God allowed me to be a very small part in them.
A couple more posts will finish my reflections on our temporary life in Uganda, and some final thoughts. Stay tuned for pt. 5!
