A Mother is Saved

On the third day of our February trip, another high risk patient was brought to the Formosa Obstetrics and Gynecology Center.  Her mother had brought her in because she was having "fits".  She was seizing due to dangerously high blood pressure and preeclampsia, or toxemia.  In the voodoo culture that is so prominent in Haiti, it was because of the bad spirits that she was unfit to bear children and she was so sick.  

After gathering emergency medications, and with the help of terrific Labor and Delivery nurses on the team, we were able to stabilize her blood pressure and stop the seizures.  However, her baby had passed away due to the placenta tearing away from the uterus. The next step would be to induce labor so she could deliver the baby that was gone. This procedure is so dangerous as the hospital doesn't have any blood products or advanced lab testing to see if the patient had a bleeding disorder or another complication from the preeclampsia. 

After several prayful hours, we delivered a beautiful girl angel.  

It was difficult to transverse great cultural differences when one loses a baby. There are so many babies that pass away in Haiti. Upwards of 50% of the children pass away in pregnancy or within the first year depending on where in the country they live.  The access to proper women's maternity care is just not prevalent.

So plants the seed for the Labor of Love Project to start. If with education and funding we can continue to save women like this, and hopefully provide them care to save their children, then the dream is realized and the goal comes to fruition.

Great Things Come in Pairs...or Twins!

The February 2011 visit was a true test of endurance and perseverance.  We were delayed in leaving Joplin, Missouri due to a blizzard leaving greater than 20 inches on snow on the roads and highways.  Having great faith that the team was supposed to be in Haiti, we waited for some of the snow to melt and flew out two days later than planned.

HCM seemed like an oasis upon our arrival.  Leaving record below zero temperatures and arriving in Haiti where the high was in the mid 80s it was a joyous break from the devastating winter we were experiencing in the states.

On the second day of our visit, the midwives called me to come over and evaluate a patient who was having "too big of a baby".  Upon examination and a quick ultrasound, we determined that it wasn't one big baby but rather twins! The first baby was positioned vertex, or head down, and the second baby was breech, or bottom first.  I discussed with the midwives that in the States this presentation was usually delivered by C-section.  However, the patient was fully dilated and was pushing despite us telling her we should do a c-section. Soon it became apparent that we would need to proceed with a normal delivery. After all, if there wasn't an obstetrician available, the midwives would have to do this delivery on their own.  The first baby delivered without difficulty once we aligned the baby to come out the birth canal.  Let the teaching begin!  With hands on experience I directed the midwives on how to deliver the second baby that was breech.  Of great concern was the baby's head.  If it was bigger than the rest of the body, we would be in grave danger that the baby would pass away if we couldn't get the baby out.  After a few nervous seconds, a sweet baby girl was born!  Praise God!  In knowing all the things that could have gone wrong, we were truly blessed that none of them did!