Missionary Midwife

DOH Update and an apology...

2007-10-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

What is the apology bit for some may ask? It is for having a few people contact me and ask for an update concerning the the DOH (department of health) who came and used a fine toothed comb to examine our clinic and our staff. My life has been a little on the crazy side, what with trying to get my assignment done and working extra shifts so that I am free when my dad comes. P.S. That is tomorrow na!!!! Yikes, this is absolutely amazing. See picture of my handsome daddy to the left :)

Some has happened since last updating, but it is still quite confusing, because we don't officially have the green light to continue practicing like we had been (i.e. allowing the missionary midwives to insert I.V's and suture etc), so we still tend to come onto shift and find out only then what we will be able to do and what we won't.

Last night, we had a team meeting and one of the questions asked was an update on what we are and aren't allowed to do, and the answer was still vague because we don't want anything incriminating written down just in case the DOH comes back with more demands from us. We want to be as cooperative as possible to allow us white people to stay at Mercy, because without the manpower and finances that we help to provide, it would be very difficult for the clinic to continue.

As far as we know, the Dr. who has been conducting the inspection was thoroughly impressed by our clinic and staff and our willingness to comply with her requests on her last check, so as far as we know, she did submit a good report on us which is a big step in the right direction.

Now, we sill need prayer for:
1. Favor with the director of the DOH who will be reading the doctor's report on Mercy.
2. The Board of Education to say one more time to the DOH that us white volunteers are not students so that we will not be under strict rules that apply to people being trained for national licenses. We do coursework but it is a US based program that is not our main focus.
3. Patience for those of us who are chomping at the bit to really have opportunities to practice IV insertion and suturing (like me) while I still have the opportunity. I really need to get a good handle on these skills what with my plans to work in remote areas in the mission field.

Ok. So that's enough for now. I hope this will tide you guys over for a little bit because with my dad arriving tomorrow, I have no idea when I will be able to blog next :)

DOH Update 2

2007-10-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

The doctor who was doing the inspection of our clinic returned yesterday, Monday, and the night before we had a big team meeting where everyone was told all that was going on so we could be informed as we prayed. To end the meeting, we all prayed for the people working and our leaders that they would have wisdom when talking with this doctor, and for this doctor that God would visit her in the night and open her eyes to see how God worked through Mercy to reach the people of Davao.

Long story short, she came on Monday and was very pleased with the changes we had implemented to meet her requirements and was pleased to hear that we not only train westerners to be midwives, but we also take midwives who have graduated but have not even seen a birth (!) to learn the skill well before helping them to return to their villages and care for the people there.

We still need prayer as her report will now be sent to the director and she needs to approve it before we can get our license, and another letter is being written to another department to make sure it is ok for us westerners to be here training in the art of midwifery.

Thanks for your prayers.

Guesthouse/Hotel Hunting

2007-10-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

Dad - this post is for you :) Jenna, Lois and I cruised the streets of Davao looking for a hotel/guesthouse that you might like to stay in when you come. It was a great adventure, we hired our motorbike drivers from Vinzon street for the morning, and they took us to 4 different places. After our hunting, we were hungry so we had lunch together at Gaisano mall.

Let me know which one you like best dad! :) :) :p

DOH Update

2007-10-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

Alot of things happened while I was home in the month of September. I will try to give the shorter version of everything so that more people will be able to read this and pray with us.

Basically, the DOH (Department of Health) in the Philippines has been going around to the 80 some maternity clinics around Davao inspecting them. Most clinics did not pass the initial inspection, including our clinic. Not because our clinic is dirty or unacceptable by any means, but the standards that clinics must adhere to are worlds away from the standards the government run hospital is graded. So basically, we get in trouble if the lid isn't completely on the cotton ball jar, but the hospital has dried blood on the floor for more than 24 hours and that is fine.

Our leaders, Matt and Krys are incredible, and they along with the supervisor midwives (the amazing Filipinas) had many meetings so we could comply with the requests of the DOH. So changes were implemented already when I arrived back.

The technique for many things are different now, most are good changes, and it isn't a problem to comply, but the DOH doesn't like that there are white girls here learning to be midwives while practicing under the Filipinas, so another looooong meeting was done yesterday, and we had a emergency prayer meeting to intercede for our leadership and the clinic.

So please pray:
**That the DOH doesn't close us down
**That my teammates and I will continue to be allowed to practice here
**That Satan will realize he has no foothold in our lives, in our patient's lives and in our clinic. I do believe that the reason why all of this has come about is because of the difference Mercy makes in the lives of our patients and in their families, so he is scared and wants to cut us off.
**That God will be glorified through all we do. That He will show His power as He delivers us through this tough time.
**For our leaders. Matt, Krys and the Filipina Midwives. That we as a body can lift them up and support them through this time, and that they will continue to depend on God for wisdom.

Thank you so much to all who love and care about me and support me while I am here ministering in The Philippines. I love all of you.

Back in the Philippines

2007-09-29T23:31:00.000-07:00

I am back in The Philippines! The flights were pretty good. All the international ones were wonderful, (thanks dad!) but the domestic one was delayed and because of jet lag, I kept on falling asleep despite the crowded situation, and was afraid I would miss my flight when it was eventually announced. I didn't, and once I got on, things were pretty good.

I am still settling in, there are a bunch of "new" girls here now, that I met for the first time last night. It was a little overwhelming, but they are all so nice, and it helped that I had communicated with them before they came. But it's weird - who is really new? Am I cause they have been here for one month now, and are settled in without knowing me? Or are they, cause I was here a whole year before they got here? Hmmmm.....

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am back, and things are going to start back fast. I am working everyday this next week except for Thursday! Hope I remember what to do! (j/k).

I had an absolutely AMAZING time with everyone at home, and miss you all so so much. My dad is coming to visit this October though, so that will help alot with homesickness! Yay! Thanks to all my friends (Witts, Amanda etc) who came from all over the US to make the BCOM reunion one to remember.

Everyone please keep in touch. I love you guys. Aren't these pictures of my family great? :)

Righteous Laughing :)

2007-09-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

I just love this video. Kids are so easily amused. This is Jason Witt - my friend from Bethany College of Missions (www.bcom.org) playing with his 9 month old daughter.

BCOM Reunion

2007-09-24T07:40:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I have been going NONSTOP since my arrival here almost a month ago, and I have enough to do to last me another month! (Don't worry RP girls - I am still coming back as scheduled.)

Here are a few pictures of some of my awesome friends from Bethany. A bunch of them came from all over the US, and we had an amazing weekend together, remembering the good ole times. So many of them are married and have kids now, so their kids ended up being my main subject matters :)

Loves to everyone, and can't wait to see all y'all in the RP soon! Does anyone have something they are just aching to have me bring back for them? If so, tell me soon, cause I am running out of time here fast!

Back in the U.S. of A!

2007-09-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

I am home! Sorry to all who haven't heard. I have tried to spread the news, but sometimes it doesn't work as well as planned. Here are a few snapshots of home so far.

I spent the weekend with my friend Kelli Auble in Washington/Oregon before coming back to MN which was really great. She has been in Afghanistan with the Army for the last year, and we haven't seen each other for 2 years now. So great to see her.

Then, I was welcomed home with the biggest welcome home sign I have EVER seen in my entire life! A few other things happened, such as at the airport being welcomed back by my friend Rachel who PROMISED I would meet her boyfriend flashing a ring at me, and making me believe that the $8 ring on her finger was real! I was upset and let her know it, and then made to feel guilty by Matthew (the guy) so then I halfheartedly congratulated her. THEN... I overhear her telling my mom that wasn't it funny how I believed that she really was engaged!? Now, I was livid at her for taking advantage of my jetlag and excitment and everything else to pull a prank like that. Of course a tiny part of me was also very proud of her for having pulled that off!

The next day was Labor day, and we had almost 30 friends and relatives who all came over to welcome me home and celebrate the day. I have never been asked so many questions about midwifery before! It was a blast, and I managed to stay awake and alert all day despite the fact that I only fell asleep finally at 2am the night before. (Last night, I took melatonin to make sure it wouldn't happen again!) This pic is of Heather (my roommate from Bethany), Megan (wearing a dress I brought her) and me walking Nitro. It was so fun to be welcomed home by Nitro as he remembered me as well!

Today is the first day of school for all my sisters. Rebecca is in 9th grade - a freshman at Jefferson Highschool! I went there for highschool, so it was pretty exciting to send her off today. Then, Michelle and Megan were off to school for their first day of 3rd grade. This is them with my mom.

Kadayawan Festival

2007-08-21T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Kadayawan Festival has been going on for about a week now, and we had to get in on all the fuss, so a bunch of us (as you can see from the jam packed car ride over) went to see some tribal dancing on Saturday. It was so amazing.

Lois and I went to meet up with Rachel Tacada and her brother, so we split from our group thinking we wouldn't have a hard time finding the other group of white people in the crowd, but we didn't end up finding them until the end, and even then couldn't get back together with them! Oh well.

The kids were made up to the T, with amazing costumes and great make-up :) I got some great pictures of the kids as they were waiting for their turn to perform, it was so fun, all I had to do was to pull out my camera, and the group of two suddenly turned into 6 or more all clamoring to get in the picture!

These kids were amazing dancers, I took a quick video of them so you can get a feel of the drum beat they danced so energetically to. Enjoy :) (If it doesn't work well here, follow the link to dropshots, where the original is uploaded. It works better there.)

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Glitterma: Part 2 of DSOG

2007-08-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video HostingThis was part 2 of the first day of the conference. Of course it was optional, but who would turn down a nice meal (including roasted pig called lechon)dessert and a dance competition?

These dancers were on their way to professional (some) but all had dance instructors and were really fun to watch do the Cha-Cha, the Rhama and the Jive. I have included the video below of them doing the Cha-Cha. Once again, follow the link to dropshots.com if it doesn't work or is too choppy. Below are still frames of the competition.

DSOG Medical Conference

2007-08-18T01:36:00.000-07:00

10 of us midwives (from Mercy) were sponsored to go to a medical conference a few days ago, and it was pretty fun! Some of the lectures weren't really my style, they talked about liposuction and tummy tucks as the best way to get rid of the postpartum belly instead of doing exercises! Yikes. Lots of drugs advertized, but free stuff given away, and a good chance to visit with other medical professionals.

I think our group was the most animated of them all. We knew how to have fun in life. At one point, they gave away free samples of different kinds of birth control, and I was on Family Planning Health Teaching at Mercy on Friday, so perfect! I used the samples as prizes to those who knew the answers to my questions. Great way to get them involved and help it to stick better.

The video below is this amazing quartet that sang a few special numbers on the first day. All I can say is WOW. If it skips around alot, you can click on it to view it at dropshots. Then it will work well. Sorry about that. Blogging videos screws with them at times.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Elizabeth (#35) & Claire (#36)

2007-08-15T05:50:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth (parents in red and blue) delivered on the 12th, and it was the most complicated birth I had handled in a long time. Shoulder dystocia, hemorrhage of 1,300cc, incomplete placenta etc. So, needless to say I was up with her all night getting her to recovery. But she was only 17, it was her first baby, and she was the strongest woman I have ever seen - didn't make a fuss even when the pain must have been near intolorable! I hope I am 1/2 as strong as her if I ever go through pain like she did!

Then, the next night Claire came in, and I delivered her baby as well. It couldn't have been more opposite! The head was out before I knew it, and the rest of the baby followed soon after. Bled only 250cc... Great birth. Claire was amazing through her labor as well, but it was a beautiful, uncomplicated one. (Which was good for me, since I had been up all night the night before with Elizabeth!)

Funny that they followed each other like that...

Joyce - My 5th Continuity

2007-08-15T05:28:00.001-07:00

I met Joyce at a massage place that also does manicures/pedicures. A friend of Joyce's was doing my nails, and when she found out I am a midwife, she called Joyce over and introduced us. It was already in June, and I had a continuity due already in August when she was to deliver.

But... I just can't say no :) I took her, and I have been glad for it. She is so sweet, and I love spending time with her. Her boyfriend was great. He had no problems hold his little boy, named Ezekiel John, but if I had to do a fundus rub (which is painful) he would turn away because he couldn't stand seeing Joyce in pain.

They just came in for a one week check up, and it was so funny because I said I was going to take Ezekiel's umbilical cord clamp off since the cord was dry. He thought I was going to cut the umbilical cord out of the poor sleeping baby, and started to walk out of the room! I quickly assured him that I was going to do no such thing, and that the baby wouldn't even feel it. In fact, he didn't even wake up.

It was a beautiful birth, and they are a beautiful family. I am privilaged to be their midwife and friend.

Jenna... We miss you!

2007-08-12T01:45:00.001-07:00

Lois and I worked day shift together, and each of us, unbeknownst to the other chose to wear Jenna's scrubs to work that morning. We both were wearing her scrub bottoms and Lois even had her scrub top on as well.
We got to work only to sit down and realize that we matched. Then we realized they belonged to Jenna, and what a funny coincidence that we were both wearing them on shift together!?

So... here's to you Jenna. Hope you are having an amazing time in Canada with your family and friends, but make sure you come back soon! We miss you :)

Video Tour of Mercy Maternity Center (MMC)

2007-08-04T21:50:00.000-07:00

Since Lois and I were in tour guide mode, we decided to walk next door and do a little tour for all of you inside MMC. So here is an inside look at the place where we minister to the beautiful Filipina people. We went after prenatals were finished and the birth room happened to not be busy, but you can still get an idea of what we do. Please e-mail or comment if you have any questions and I will get back to you.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

TOUR OF THE O.C.

2007-08-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

Fall 2007 girls this post is for you! Some of you have been wondering where you will be living and working when you arrive in September, and so Lois and I put together a few videos for your viewing pleasure. I hope you guys enjoy this and that it will help settle some of the butterflies in your stomachs as you start to think about packing and moving across the ocean. We are so very excited for all of you guys to join us.

To everyone else - you can enjoy these videos as well. We will take you on a tour to get a little peek into what our lives look like a little here. Hope you enjoy :)

NOTE: These videos are posted in order from top to bottom. Start with the first video with Lois outside the gate, then with Lois in the kitchen and then finally end the tour with me upstairs.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

True Knot

2007-08-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

Rosalia walked in to the birthroom, and I asked if she could use the bathroom, she smiled, but said probably not because it was quite painful now. I said ok, and so we went to the bed.

As I was getting the birth cart set up, she pushed once, and her water broke. She asked if she could lay down, and I said of course. No time for a thorough examination, because 5 minutes after her arrival at Mercy, she was joined by an 8.05lb baby! He was very healthy despite the TRUE KNOT found in his umbilical cord!!!

This was my first time ever seeing this in real life, much less it happening to one of my babies! Pretty amazing. I just wish there had been a way to find out when the knot had occured, because it is really rare, and can cause severe problems for the baby antenatally due to lack of oxygen and nutrition. Plus, it was a tight knot which is even more rare. The cord stopped pulsing almost as soon as the baby (Dave) was out, which is not normal. It was truly a God thing that this baby came out so healthy without problems.

Gretchen Calle

2007-08-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

Gretchen was 16 when I met her, and had just turned 17 one week before she had her baby. She was one of my continuities. This means since I took her as my patient, I did all her prenatals, I spent extra time with her, and we texted often if she had concerns. By the time of birth, I got her to switch from calling me Ma'am Jenny to Ate (big sister) Jenny. Her husband is 37 years old, and so because I figured there were some sketchy things going on, she could use someone to be there for her steadily through her pregnancy. This picture is of her just about a month before birth.

She told me the first week of July that she was having contractions, and so I was on high alert for what turned out to be a whole month!!! I kept my cell phone with me all the time and was afraid to go very far away thinking that she might pop any time! This was her first baby brought to term, so it is to be expected to go late, but soon, we were reaching 42 weeks, and nothing, so I asked her to get an ultrasound.

Turns out that she was only 35 weeks at that point instead of 42! Her contractions continued, but not so bad that she couldn't sleep. Then, at the very end of July, she called and said that her contractions were really starting to hurt now. I checked her in at the clinic and she had progressed much further than the other 2 times that she had come in for a check. Since I had night shift anyway, I let her stay the night and I got to watch Richard (her boyfriend) with her and help them through labor. It was actually very sweet, he seemed to really care for Gretchen, and she bossed him around just a little at times, and that was fun to see.

She gave birth that morning at 3am, and I was surprised. I was expecting to stay way past my night shift with her, but everything was finished by the time the next shift took over at 6 am so that was nice :)

Gretchen is doing really well still, I have seen her a few times since the birth, and her baby is getting nice and big. P.S. if any of you would like to see a picture of a cool placenta, let me know - she had a battledore insertion, and I have a great pic :)

Kia Luardo - my 31st baby

2007-07-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

This is Jocelyn. She is 17 years old but her boyfriend is 38. She had a miscarriage a few years ago by the same man so we (Krys, my director and I) figured out that she has been with this guy since the age of 13!

She didn't speak any English really, and seemed to be in a tough situation, so even though I had another continuity due this month, when Krys asked if I could take her as well, I said yes. She was so shy, and I only had 2 prenatals with her, but she has an amazing smile, and we got on well together.

I was called in the night of the 21st saying she had arrived and looked pretty active. It was midnight. All I can say is it is a good thing I live next door now, because I might have missed the birth otherwise. Her mom came with her, and so until now, I still have not officially met her boyfriend. (I saw him in passing at the first baby check up, but we were so busy, I didn't have time to introduce myself.)

Her baby girl (Kia) is beautiful, but was born with some of her toes and fingers underdeveloped. I was hoping by going with them to a pediatrician we refer our patients to, we might be able to find an option for surgery, but Dr. Lu said that all we would be able to do is cut a small skin tag on one hand that is attaching 2 fingers together, but because some of the fingers aren't developed past the first knuckle, there isn't much we can do. Kia still has a strong grasp, however, and breastfeeds so well.

At first, I was really worried that she might not be accepted into her family, and I spent time with Jocelyn and her mom and Kia talking about how perfect she was in other ways and showing her grasp etc. I think Jocelyn was just very tired, because she didn't show much interest in Kia. But then, at the 3 day check-up and then again at the Dr.'s appointment she took great care of Kia. I actually took them to McDonald's for an early lunch because Dr. Lu was running late, and I got to know them better.

Please pray for this family that God will continue to show Kia's family members and friends as she grows her perfection in other ways and that they may come to know the Lord in a personal manner so that they have Him to depend on. Pray that no bitterness will arise through this and that I can be a light for them in all this.

Thanks to all who pray.

Suturing Chickens

2007-07-20T21:29:00.001-07:00

Our current assignment has us learning about what stitches to use on different tears if a woman needs it after birth. Many things we learn by actually doing it on the women at the clinic because this is a learning clinic, and the woman are amenable to it, but this was one thing I was so grateful to get to practice on something else first! Now that I have some confidence, I am ready to suture for real! :0 Thanks mom, for making me learn how to sew when I was younger... Although this is a bit different, the skills I have tucked away are coming to the surface and will serve me well in this next phase of midwifery :)

Game Night @ Tim and Bethany's

2007-07-20T20:56:00.001-07:00

Tim and Bethany are new students that are starting the program this fall. Because they are married, there is much more that goes into setting up life in a foreign country, so they along with a few others are here now getting settled before everything starts happening. Tim and Bethany are some of the funniest people I have ever met, and they love games as much as I do. I was thinking my 2 years here might be close to gameless because the interest was low, but now with them here, game night has a strong possibility of becoming a regular occurance!!!

It was an incredibly fun night. They now live in the apartment that 8 of us girls lived in before the big move to the OC, but it looks so much better now that they live there and not us! It actually looks like a home with different rooms instead of every table surface covered with midwifery textbooks like it was when we were there... I guess we can just wait and see what happens when Bethany starts the academics this fall! :)

When we were setting up the table for Cranium, we realized we were one chair short. No problem. Tim and Bethany had just taken out the old toilets and replaced them with ones that flushed (imagine that!) so the old ones could be pulled up to the table... Erin volunteered to be the toilet sitter, and it worked well until about 1/2 way through the game she got a little overstimulated (I think) and it toppled under her, and shattered into thousands of pieces! Yikes! Well it sure was fun while it lasted... I guess a warning should be posted on porcelin toilets such as "Do not let a midwife sit on this on a tile floor when the opportunity for overstimulation is a possibility." I wonder if Erin could sue them, since that warning wasn't there? Just kidding. Fun times, fun times.

Game Night @ Tim and Bethany's

2007-07-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

These two video are of Lois and Tim getting their team to guess what object or famous person they are acting out. These are two amazing actors! So funny. Listen closely to the guesses thrown Tim's way... When he starts dancing, his team guesses gay person, then he gets on his knees and they say little gay person!!! Haha, he was acting out Shirley Temple! Lois acted out a greenhouse.

Graduating Class of 2007

2007-07-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

We just celebrated the completion of 7 girls from the program this month, and it was a time of sadness, but of joy at the same time. They set some pretty high standards for all of us, but I am confident that God will give the 5 girls and myself the strength to do the same.

A wonderful pool party was planned, and we had a great time of fellowship, award giving, and eating. After, we watched a really great slideshow commemorating our time together so far. Then, most of us jumped in the pool, and later, the graduating students threw our director (Matt McNeil) in the pool clothes on all! His wife, Krys McNeil (our other director) helped by taking his cell phone out just in time :)

Many of them left on July 16 – going home for a few months to be with loved ones before finding another country to work in. One of the girls is headed to Russia soon. A few are considering returning here sometime in the near future. We sure will miss them!

Song Tribute by Newlife Class of 2007

2007-07-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

This is the video of the graduating class of 2007 singing a tribute to the ones who invested so much into them. The song was written by one of the girls' sisters, and they changed the last verse to apply to their lives as midwives now. Pay special attention to the last bit where it says "Daghan Salamat Po, as in Gyud Kaayo Para sa katawa ug hilak" This is Visayan, and they are saying thank you so much as in seriously :) for the laughter and tears... For everything that brought them to the place they are today.

TWINS!!!!

2007-07-04T21:16:00.001-07:00

At Mercy, we are required to refer patients with known multiple gestation and breech pregnancies to the hospital. So we do their prenatal care, and then refer them at the end of the pregnancy. Mary Grace was one of these.

I did only one prenatal on her (the one where she brought the UTS saying she had twins) but connected immediately with her. I wished so badly that I could have been her midwife, but since that was not to be, I asked her to come back for baby check-ups so I could meet her little ones. As you can see Jane and John are the cutest things ever!!

Mary Grace was planning a hospital birth, but ended up delivering at home because they came so fast she didn't have time to get there. Yikes. Only her sister attended her... Both were cephalic (head down - the preferable position for birth) so it would have been a great birth to handle, but I just thank God that He took care of them and they are healthy.

All these pictures were taken at the one week check-up. Mary Grace is an amazing mother. Many of the moms that come through have problems breastfeeding just one, but she must be the most patient woman in the world because from what she told me, all she was doing all day was breastfeeding. John would eat, and then Jane, and by the time Jane was done, John would be ready for round two! Oh man, I don't think I would have been that strong. When I helped her learn the football hold (pictured above) she was so grateful. Now she will have a little more free time!

Newly Remodled Birthroom!

2007-07-03T07:56:00.001-07:00

The birthroom has been moved back to MMC, and we are so happy. They did some interesting changes to it... some nice, some still have kinks to be worked out. Like taking out the midwives room, so we don't really know where to change, and a few of us out of habit started to change in the kitchen where the srubs now are, only to realize (thankfully in time) that there are too many windows and people milling about!)

However, the bed placement has been rearranged which has taken some getting used to, but has been really great so far. We used to have a bed directly in front of the emergency transport door which would have to be moved in the case of a transport. Now, however, as you can see, the midwive's desk area is there so transport happens much more effeciently. :)

I have had some pretty busy shifts lately, but only one since the birthroom moved back, and my last two shifts have been dead. Go figure huh? Oh well, it never stays that way for long, a shift will get slammed sooner rather than later... I wonder whose shift it will be?

Birthroom Remodeling

2007-07-02T01:40:00.001-07:00

Our birthroom has needed a fresh coat of paint for quite some time now, but the dilema has been how to do so without subjecting the birthing women to the fumes... Could we have just asked them to keep their babies inside for about a week while we did some re-modeling? I don't think so! We had some of the busiest shifts while in the OC (nickname for the orange house...don't ask!) As an afterthought... Maybe the fumes could have provided some pain relief? Haha, maybe that's not quite ethical!

Anyways, we took advantage of an empty (but very dirty) house next door and before we moved in, we cleaned the areas that would be used for the birthroom and moved it over to the OC. Ate Elsa was key in the transition, being a good carpenter as well as midwife, she constructed some makeshift curtain holders to make cubicles and somehow, by God's grace, it worked.

The shifts were quite stressful most of the time, but we made it through by His mercy, and now we have moved into the OC and are in the process of settling in and the birthroom is back where it belongs. I will post some pictures soon of the newly remodeled birthroom because it looks AMAZING!!

Ready...Set...Poke!!!

2007-06-28T08:54:00.001-07:00

The day I had been dreading since my arrival in the Philippines finally arrived last Tuesday. I was all up for catching babies, I signed up for that, knowing I could learn that well, but doing an IV, I sure I wasn't cut out for!

I had heard horror stories of classmates poking each other over and over again until they finally got one in sucessfully. I knew (from going to Davita) how painful inserting locks (which are just like IV's without the solution attached) was by someone who knew what they were doing much less someone who didn't!

I wasn't afraid so much of the pain I would be asked to endure (although I wasn't thrilled about it either) but I was scared spitless of causing extreme pain to one of my dear classmates and friend (who turned out to be Jenna).

The assignment did help, however, I read up on technique, and my last swing shift in the birth room wasn't busy, so one of the older students, Heather Holtslag, who is graduating and a pro at IV insertion took me through the process just without the actual poke which made me much more comfortable with the process. Also, of course we weren't told to "just go at it," Nancy was there right by my side talking me through every step.

I wish I had a video of Jenna inserting my IV, however, because no matter how nervous I was, at least one could only tell my checking my racing pulse. Jenna, on the other hand, was shaking as she inserted my IV. I didn't want to point it out to her in the beginning, but her hands were shaking so bad, I was sure it wasn't going to work. But, she got it on the first try, so imagine what she could do if she wasn't shaking!

All's well that ends well, and now, I have to admit, I find myself looking at people's hands to see if I would have a hard or easy time putting an IV in them! Yikes, the weird things I let myself get addicted to...

Fall 2006 Class Pictures!

2007-06-24T22:15:00.000-07:00

First Picture: (from left to right) Charity (18y.o), Jenna (23y.o), Lois (22y.o), Tiffany (22y.o), Jenny (24y.o) and Laura (20y.o). The other picture you can figure out from the labels on the first picture :)

As promised here are the class pictures that we took at the beginning of our 25th baby anniversary. There is a studio here in a mall close by and we got to dress up and take some great pictures of us. Ok, so they aren't as amazing as I had hoped, but they are still nice :) Good thing it was really cheap!

Make-Over Night!

2007-06-24T22:12:00.001-07:00

Josie is the daughter of Krys and Matt McNeil, the directors of MMC. She came over and we made cookies and she brought make-up so the rest of us brought ours out too. It became a party really fast! What a great time. At the end of it all, we pulled our mattresses out into the living room and had a slumber party. I fell asleep to the movie Winn Dixie. I am sure it was a great movie, but I was so tired from having gotten only 4 hours of sleep the night before (night shift then CPR class). Anyways, a great time. I hope Josie comes over more often!

25th Baby Anniversary!

2007-06-22T23:17:00.001-07:00

There are 5 girls that came with me to The Philippines in September of 2006. We only met the week before in Oregon for the first time, but knowing that we all were going to be together experiencing new and wonderful things together, drew us close right away. It was wonderful knowing the girls who would be with me for the next 2 years learning alongside me.

When we first got here, we watched and assisted in births. Jenna was the first one to "handle" or deliver a baby in the end of November. The rest of us started that December. Since that time, we have all caught 25 babies! We figure this is a huge accomplishment/milestone in our journey towards midwifery, so we decided to CELEBRATE!!!

We got dressed up and took class pictures at a portrait studio (to be posted later) and then went to a crocodile farm. I wasn't expecting much of the actual farm, thinking it would only be fun because of the girls I was with, because the one I had been to a few years back was dull with only ugly, boring crocs sleeping in the sun.

I was happy to proven wrong, however, and I knew this would be an experience to remember from the moment we walked in and saw a HUGE boa constrictor on a patch of grass nearby. It wrapped around all 6 of us girls with ease!

There were other animals in the park as well... fake and real :) The crocs were fun to look at, but it was nice to see monkeys, lizards, turtles and beautiful flowers as well.

As dusk settled in, we left the park to have a nice dinner at a Japanese restaurant, where they cooked our dinner right in front of us. We had brought our birth journals with us and talked about who had had the biggest baby (the winner was a 9 lb + baby!) and smallest. We shared stories of our mistakes and our sucessess. I think most would have found the conversation weird and might have had a hard time eating with the topics discussed, but midwives THRIVE on that!

It is strange to think how close I have gotten to these girls in only 10 months. We have gone from being strangers to being very close friends who will leave lasting prints on each others' lives. I am truly blessed to experience midwifery alongside these beautiful ladies. :)

Jenny's 25th Handle!

2007-06-20T19:17:00.001-07:00

Yes, I finally had my 25th baby! A pretty big landmark to have reached considering I delivered my first baby on December 29! In some ways it seems like I have been delivering and assisting in birth forever, and then in other ways, I still can't belive that I am trusted to deliver new life into this world.

Juliet did amazingly well through labor and birth. This was her 4th baby, and I never once had to try and cajole her into walking around more and drinking more water, because she did it all on her own. In fact, checking heartones in the beginning was tough because I sometimes didn't know where she had gone!

Her husband was incredibly supportive and wonderful through the whole process. She had also brought her older son and daughter who every once in a while would peek in the window to see if their little brother had been born yet. I think if I ever run my own clinic, I will encourage more sibling participation because my favorite part was watching the whole family interact with each other. It was obvious how much they loved each other.

A really wonderful family - I enjoyed my time with them immensely.

Virtual Labor

2007-06-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Some of you may not find this as interesting as I did, but I had so much fun on this site, that I thought it only fair to share it with ya'll :) Just click on the following link and clink on "Let's get started."

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/labor/index.html

You are given a situation and depending on your answers you will have different birth experiences. Don't worry, anyone can do it - not just midwives! You may even learn a little about the different things you can do to help someone or even yourself through labor. Enjoy!

Bye Hannah! :(

2007-06-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today we had to say goodbye to a Hannah Miller, an MK (missionary kid - like me!) She has become a good friend to many of us girls here at Mercy and has even been on a few shifts and saw some babies born! Her family has decided to turn over their ministry to National leadership and so they are returning to the U.S. She is going to a college in Wisconsin though which is only 1 1/2 hours away from me, so we already have plans to see each other when I go home for a month in September. We will miss her for sure, but at least I will see her again soon :)

YES! We Are Moving!!!!

2007-06-10T01:44:00.001-07:00

We are moving!!! Yeeeeee!!! WAHOO!!!!!!! Oh man I am so excited! (can you tell? I know sometimes I am a little too reserved and it is hard to know what I am feeling! :) Anyways, we just got the e-mail confirming that yes, the decision was just made this afternoon for us to move for sure! All details have been worked out.

I don't know any details really except that yes, we are indeed moving this summer. I know that the people who live there now are leaving for Cananda on June 20, so we might move as soon as that, or we might wait a while. The email said we will find out more details and discuss it all this Tuesday night.

Please pray that this move Glorifies God, and that He will be the one to work out the details. Meaning mostly ATTITUDES!!! Some people are not in favor of the move, so it will be harder for them, and it is scary getting new roomates and wanting certain people but not wanting to hurt others in the process.

So anyways, just wanted to share that with y'all. New Fall 2007 students... We are so excited to live with all of you in the Orange House! Hmmm, maybe you guys could tell us a little more about yourselves so we can start thinking about who would fit best where? (Just an idea)

Nhia Herrera - 24th Handle

2007-06-06T06:32:00.001-07:00

Remember Rachel Tacada? Her sister-in-law texted me and asked if I would be able to be her friend's midwife. Her boyfriend and mother had lost their jobs, and she didn't have money to have her baby anywhere else. When I found out that she was already 38 weeks pregnant, I was very tempted to say no flat out, but I told her to come to the clinic for a prenatal on Friday and we would talk.

She gets there, and I could tell she really did need to have her baby at Mercy, and she practically begged me. I thought about saying no because I had another continuity due just days apart from her, but I just couldn't.

She was scheduled for her next prenatal on June 8, next Friday, but she didn't make it! I didn't have any lab work for her except I knew that she was very anemic so I encouraged her to continue her iron supplements, get the lab work done and eat alot of vegetables!

I was just about to jump in the shower then today when I got a call saying she had come in and was in very active labor and that I should probably hurry! Well, I really needed a shower so I told them I would come as fast as I could.

I arrive at the clinic after going on a motorcycle ride of death (just kidding - but Chris did drive really fast when he heard I was supposed to be catching a baby!) and they told me to run into her cubicle quick! I wanted to change into scrubs, but was told there was no time. Sure enough I popped in the cubicle, and head was visible already! So I whipped on some gloves, and prepared to catch the baby that came out exactly 20 minutes later. WHEW!!! That was a close one for sure!!!

There were no complications, a beautiful birth and postpartum time with Nhia and her handsome little fellow. Both her mom and her mother-in-law stayed with her for the postpartum period so I got to know them as well. They thanked me so many times for letting her deliver at Mercy. I hope that through friendships like this, I will be able to continually impact the lives of the Tacada family.

Bai Diamond

2007-06-06T05:34:00.001-07:00

Bai Diamond came in for prenatals on Tuesdays which are Jenna's days, but I worked one Tuesday, and did her last prenatal so I knew her a little as well as Jenna. She came in and Jenna stayed with her all night. She had her baby at 5:15am, and so Jenna took care of her during her labor and delivery, and I spent time with her after that.

One of my favorite times in taking care of mom and baby, is when the dad helps the mom go to the bathroom, and I get to take care of the little baby for a while. Little newborns are really amazing little creations.

Bai Diamond and her husband are Muslim, and are both so wonderful. They are 18 and they had a really cute baby. Please remember them in your prayers.

Flat Michelle :)

2007-06-02T22:18:00.001-07:00

Michelle (one of my little sisters) read a book in school called "Flat Stanley." He got flattened when a billboard fell on him. At first it sounds bad, but then he is able to go on vacation for the price of a postage stamp instead of an airplane ticket. So everyone sent a flat version of themselves to go on vacation somewhere with someone they love. Michelle sent a flat version of herself to me. I had so much fun taking her all around to the places around Davao.

The corner by our house has people that sell RP flags, so I took a picture there so people would know where she took her vacation. Then, continuing our walk, we stopped to take a pic in front of the sign for MMC. Flat Michelle did some prenatals "with" me and got to meet Gretchen who is 16 and pregnant with baby number 2. She lost her first baby at 3 months of pregnancy last time. Then we both met Nhian for the first time. She is 18 and her boyfriend lost his job, so she needed to find a midwife at Mercy since she couldn't afford anywhere else. She is a friend of Rachel Tacada. Then, we did a 6 week baby check up on Angelica the daughter of Joy Paghubasan who was my 16th handle.

We also went to one of my favorite coffeeshops and Flat Michelle hung out with me while I did some homework. We had an iced mocha :)

Then, we went on a day trip around Samal island which isn't far from Davao. We took motorbikes all around the island and stopped at a beautiful beach called Kalibad. Then, to get the salt out of our hair, we went to Hagimite Falls. It was so much fun.

Before vacation was over, i brought her with me to the market and she helped me shop for some fresh vegetables.

All in all it was a great vacation, and i hope we can do it for real sometime!

Tacada Family Reunion

2007-05-26T04:56:00.001-07:00

I had the privilage of being invited to the Tacada Family Reunion just this last week, and it was so much fun! I had been over to Rachel's house for lunch last week, and as I was getting ready to leave, they mentioned they were going to have their annual family reunion next week, and would I please come?

Some of you might remember me talking about Rachel Tacada. She was the 14th delivery of mine, and even though we didn’t know each other before the birth, we clicked right away, and I got to meet her mom who is so great as well. She came in for her last baby check up last Friday, so although I won't see her anymore at the clinic, I will continue to see her as a friend.

Rachel has 9 siblings, and I had fun meeting so many of them along with other extended family members. In the U.S. it is so hard to get people together to take pictures sometimes, but that is never the case here! Here, it was hard for me to take pictures of one or two people, because by the time I was set to take it, all the sudden at least 3 or more people would pop in! It was great.

We were in a covered area with tables, and they brought a feast fit for a king with them for lunch. While waiting for lunch, so many peopel sang karaoke. I did manange to beg off of singing since that is not my forte, but I don't think I will be so lucky next time...

My language skills get put to the test when spending time with this family, but in a good way. No one makes me feel bad if I don't understand, and they speak slowly enough that it usually works out ok. And - of course - they love it when I speak! In fact, one Auntie said before even meeting me, that she wished her son was still single so he could marry me, but alas he just got married!

And, I brought out my family photo album, and they just ate up the pictures of my siblings and wanted to know all about why my "little" brother is so much taller than me, and loved the twins and commented on how beautiful Rebecca was. One of the little boys, about 11 months loved the pictures of Nitro (our dog) and said Augh, Augh everytime he flipped back to them. So cute.

I have had a few opportunities to share the gospel with Rachel and her family and learn more about the beliefs of a Jehovah's Witness and plan to keep up the friendship, so if you remember, please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Tacada Family Karaoke!

2007-05-23T02:47:00.000-07:00

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

This is the first video I have of the Tacada family singing karaoke. I really need to get over my fear of what people think of me, because all day they tried to get me to sing, and though I am fine to sing in groups, I don't sing in microphones in for show. But here, no one cares if you can or can't sing. There were some people I know who didn't sing all that well, but they put heart and soul into it! The smaller guy with the white shorts on is a really good singer and has been in a band before. He is also known as the joker of the family - in fact he was introduced to me that way! What a fun fun family.

Chicken Fight at the Tacada Family Reunion!

2007-05-23T02:42:00.000-07:00

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

This is the second video I have posted about my time spend with Rachel Tacada at her family reunion. The one that wins is her youngest brother. He is 14 years old and a whole lot of fun to be around.

3 Babies in 3 Days!!!

2007-05-21T02:23:00.001-07:00

Can I just say it has been crazy around here lately??? For the longest time I was stuck at having had delivered 19 babies and it seemed I wasn't going to make it to 20 for a long time. Every shift I had, the labor that I was given was complicated, and I ended up transporting her to the local hospital instead of delivering her baby. Transporting is always a stressful event for me because I hate leaving the women there since they are so understaffed, and the conditions are so poor, but when they present complications beyond our scope of care we have no choice. Transporting once in a while is ok, but when it becomes a regular occurence, it can really wear on a person.

Then, I finally had baby number 20! Meira was already at Mercy and sounding pretty active at 2pm, but I had a class, so I didn't think I would be back in time to deliver her baby. When I returned at 4, they said she was only 4cm, so I took my time doing some baby check ups. Next thing I know, I am being called to come quick, and I barely got there in time to deliver her baby. I didn't even know her name or vice versa until after all was said and done! She had a big baby girl - 8 pounds, and so I actually had to help pull her out even at her hips which is an unusual occurance around here :)

Then, the next night I wasn't supposed to work, but I got a text from my continuity saying she was in labor and heading over to mercy. She labored beautifully, and I enjoyed every minute I spent with her. Mary Rose had her first baby when she was 14, and now is having her second at 17. Her boyfriend is also 17 which is why I decided she needed just one midwife so that she would be more comfortable talking about concerns she may have etc.

And last but certainly not least... I was on night shift on the 16th, and slept until 2 am when Heather's labor started to get active, so I charted for that birth, and when it was all said and done finally at 4 am I was looking forward to going back to bed. But that was not to be. Josephine came in and was 8 cm. Since it was her 5th baby I knew she wouldn't wait long, and sure enough her little one was born at 5 AM on the dot!

So - It was a very busy 3 days and it took me some time to catch up on my sleep, but I wouldn't have traded it. All the births were really great, and I have enjoyed my time with each of them so far as they have come back for their baby check ups.

Neonatal Resuscitation

2007-05-16T06:31:00.001-07:00

Julie, a nurse midwife from Oregon came here for a few weeks and taught a class on neonatal resuscitation. It is really a needed thing in my profession, and I was so glad to learn more about what to do when my baby doesn't breathe on it's own. There is a while process to it which isn't really surprising, but it is a good system.

According to our study material we technically have to resuscitate every single baby that is born! We use bulb syringes for just about every baby and wipe him or her down, sometimes flicking their feet to get them to cry. These are the first steps taken in neonatal resuscitation.

Not that long ago, I think my 5th birth was a complicated one where the baby needed not only step one, but step 2 where the baby is given positive pressure ventilation (PPV) and then still wasn't breathing so was given chest compressions 1 and 2 and 3 and breathe and 1... After the baby was stabilized we transported to the hosprital for further care, and actually he pulled through just great, but in that time I was asked to step aside because I had no idea what to do if a baby didn't breathe! So now that I know I am so much more confident

These are some pictures of our practice session before the big test all of us taking turns resuscitating a doll. It 's actually harder to do chest compressions correctly than one may think!

Aileen and the C.R. Birth

2007-05-06T08:09:00.001-07:00

I was on shift last week when Aileen came to Mercy in labor and her care was given to me. It was 8 am, and after her examination, I found it might still be a while before she would have her baby. At 10:30 in the morning I checked her vitals, and she asked to go to the bathroom. I said "sure!" We like to encourage our patients to be up and walking around, drinking water, going to the bathroom and being as active as possible for a few reasons. One, it helps for them to have something to do to distract them and because it helps labor to progress faster.

I was sitting on a couch in the living area, when we heard yelling coming from the bathroom. I am still inexperienced, so when I assessed the situation, I figured she could still make it to the bed, and kept telling her not to push. But one of the other midwives handed me a glove and told me to see how far along she was. I quickly found that the baby was on the way out, so I helped her to have her baby right then and there - in the bathroom! It was scary for me, but I had great support through it all, and Aileen did amazingly well. I did pray through the whole thing though as I squatted in an inch of water that 1, I wouldn't slip and fall myself and 2 that I would actually be able to catch the baby before it fell on the floor!!

We cut the cord right away so that we could carry both mom and baby to the bed as quickly as possible. There, as we (Sarah and I - the girl who handed me gloves in the beginning) waited for the placenta, we tried to remember all the times that everything happened. If you go to my flickr account, you can actually read the charts, they are pretty funny. Sarah asked if I was ok, and I said "Yeah, but I think my pulse is racing!" Sure enough it was 96! Yikes. But now, both Aileen and her little son, Nathaniel are doing well, and my pulse is back down to normal! :)

The Orange House

2007-05-06T07:48:00.001-07:00

This is mostly for the benefit of the new girls that will be joining us in September. You know who you are! We are so excited to meet you guys. Right now, 1/2 of us girls live in an apartment about a 5 minute walk away from the clinic and the other 1/2 live in a house down the same street as us.

It is a good enough situation, but the girls (especially those that came in the Fall of 2006) really want to get to know each other better, and having 2 houses isn't really conducive for that. This orange house would solve that problem and give some added benefits as well.

1. We would all be together - I know the house looks big, but there would be approximately 20 girls living in it, so it would be just right.

2. It is only steps away from the clinic which would make us much more available - especially for the baby check ups. And when it is 100 degrees outside, the closer to the clinic we are the better.

3. We would get to spend more time with the Filipina Midwives. We don't ever just hang out at the clinic unless we are on shift, and this would change that.

4. There wouldn't be a need to walk home late at night or super early in the morning depending on when a person were to get off of shift.

5. When we have a continuity in labor (a lady we have a relationship with - we get called in to deliver her baby even if we aren't on shift) we will be more available and yet be able to be at home for some of it if we want to have dinner or whatever :) Sometimes labor takes a while!

So anyways, these are just a few pics of the front of the house, and the white building you see in the background is the clinic. Pray that negotiations go well with Matt (our director) and the landlady so we can hopefully move in this summer. I will keep you guys updated as we know more.

Pregnant Women Praising Jesus 2

2007-05-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

I took another video of worship time before prenatals start for the day just because the women looked so beautiful as they sang to Jesus. This song is talking about how much they love Jesus. They are singing about all their life how they will praise Him, because of His Faithfulness and how He never changes. This is a song we sing alot, and I can only pray that they really mean it when they sing it. I thank God that we are given opportunities like this to share His love with them and that they are so receptive to the things we say.

April Newsletter

2007-04-21T06:49:00.001-07:00

Mary Rose Arieta (continuity)
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Dear Friends and Family,

When we first arrived here in September, we thought, “Man, is it hot!” Little did we know/remember that it was in fact the “cool season” then! Now it’s April and it’s really HOT season! In fact, now is when the coffee shops come out with their “summer drinks” to cool off with and the salons advertise beach ready waxing for 20% off! Even though I grew up here in the Philippines I forgot just what the word HOT can really mean.

Here at Mercy Clinic, we have the opportunity to get to know our patients better by taking them on as continuities. This means that we do all their prenatals and are on call to deliver their babies. It is a great way to really get to know them as individuals. One of my girls is only 16 and is already pregnant with her 2nd baby! She already has a 2 year old boy that she had when she was 14. I took her as a continuity and hope that I can share some family planning basics with her along with what a personal relationship with Jesus looks like. I took her to get an ultrasound on Monday because her stomach size was a lot bigger at her stage than it was supposed to be, and so we needed to confirm what her "real" due date was. She couldn't afford the $10 ultrasound, and so I paid for it, spent time with her and took her out for lunch. It turned out that she is actually due at the end of May and not the middle of July like she thought!!! She is a tough one to get to know because she is so shy, but I still have time.

I had a crazy shift the evening of April 5th. We arrived at 10pm and Meg (an intern here gaining experience) delivered a baby at 11pm with me assisting. Around midnight, I tried to sleep, but by the time I had just drifted off, I was woken up with another woman in labor named Rachel Tacada. This was her second baby, and I have never seen a calmer woman in the middle of such pain. She was so responsive to my suggestions as I delivered her beautiful baby girl with dimples at 1:55 AM.

By this point two other babies had been born (those births were handled by my supervisors). Then another mom came in and Meg was next in line to have her 2nd labor for the night. I was still working to finish up my care for Rachel and her new baby, do paperwork, and also give the newborn a bath and exam. After all was said and done, and mom and baby were resting, I thought to take a little rest myself. It was 4:30 AM, and once again, I had just fallen asleep when I was woken up with the news that another woman was at the clinic in labor – and I was next in line to receive the next labor.

It was 5 AM when I finished checking her in, and I was sleep deprived, so I have to confess that I prayed a little prayer that she would wait until 6 AM (shift change) to have her baby. So I got to spend an hour with this woman named “May May” and that was wonderful, but I was thankful to give her to a refreshed midwife.

It was a wonderful shift, I enjoyed myself immensely, and Rachel and her mom were just really wonderful people. I did find out that they are both Jehovah's Witnesses, so please pray that God will open doors for me to talk with her about Jesus in her follow up visits.

We had a nice Easter on this side of the world. Everything shuts down here starting on the Thursday of Holy Week (April 5 this year) and only a few places opened up over the weekend. In fact, most stayed closed until April 10. On Good Friday, April 6, Lois, Jenna and I wanted to spend the day at a coffeeshop. We spent the morning at McDonald’s because the coffeeshop didn’t open until 1 pm. Before we started on homework, however, we colored easter eggs (on paper) and entered them into the contest at the coffeeshop. It took me a long time to do it because I didn’t know how I wanted it to look, but despite my not being satisfied, we all turned ours in before we left. I found out today (April 20) that mine won runner up! Not only was I shocked by that, but I also got a gift certificate for a free cup of coffee next time I go!

On Sunday, we had a nice Easter service. The pastor spoke on Christ’s Resurrection, and why we so quickly are swayed to believe that things like the Davinci Code are real. He gave us some stunning examples of how silly it is to believe that Christ didn’t rise from the dead.

That night we all got together at the clinic for a potluck Easter Dinner. It wasn’t quite like the ones back home with my family, but it was very nice nonetheless. Our director always does her best to make sure we get to celebrate the important holidays.

And last but not least, we got some exciting news that a big (very orange – pictures to follow) house will be going up for rent soon as its owners move to Canada. They just built it, and it is only 6 steps away from the clinic. All of us girls would live together instead of in 2 separate houses. It would be a really wonderful move for us because we can get to know each other so much better and we will be closer to the clinic as well. This would mean that we would have more time to build relationships with the Filipina midwives and even our patients. Please pray with us that we can rent this house.

Love Always,
Jenny

P.S. The picture is of my 16 year old continuity (patient).

Rachel Tacada - My 14th Handle

2007-04-05T02:05:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the privilage of being Rachel Tacada's midwife. I delivered my last baby on April 1st, and was up for just about anything for this night shift.... Little did I know what would happen.

Meg (an intern who is here gaining experience) had worked swing shift, so she was keeping her labor, and that left me with nothing. Meg needed me to assist her in her labor right away, and it was a good birth, although she needed an IV for blood loss after.

I laid down after that to try and sleep, but laid awake for a long time, finally, just as I drifted off, I was awaken with a labor - Rachel. This was her second baby, and I have never seen a more calm woman in the middle of such pain. She was so responsive to my suggestions and a beautiful baby girl with dimples was born at 1:55 AM.

While I was in with Rachel, another patient came in and had her baby within minutes. Then, as 2 AM was approaching another labor came in which meant that all 4 midwives on shift had a labor and the rotation returned to Meg who had had a baby at 11 PM that night.

Of course there was alot to do after the birth, like care for the mom and baby, and paperwork, newborn bath and exam. After all was said and done, and mom and baby were resting, I thought to take a little rest myself. It was 4:30 AM, and once again, I had just fallen asleep when I was woken up with another labor. Meg had her second labor by now, so the new labor was mine.

It was 5 AM however, and I was sleep deprived, so I have to confess that I prayed a little prayer that she would wait until 6 AM (shift change) to have her baby. So I did get to spend half an hour with May May and she was wonderful, but I was thankful to give her to a refreshed midwife.

It was a wonderful shift, I enjoyed myself immensely, and Rachel and her mom were just really wonderful people. I did find out that they are both Jehovah's Witness, so please pray that God will open doors for me to talk with her about Jesus.

Well Woman Exams - Commencing at Mercy

2007-04-05T01:39:00.000-07:00

Many of the women we see have problems. Most of it is because they don't have the education they need so they can properly take care of themselves and their babies. We take care of them the best that we can, and that includes teaching them. Giving them the reasons why we ask them to drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday, teaching them what kind of foods they should be eating etc.

Since I have been here, we have not done gram stains or pap smears, but now we are starting. Hilary is a lady that has a clinic similar to ours in Cebu (another island here in the RP). She has been doing gram stains and pap smears now for some time, and women aren't allowed to continue their prenatals at her clinic until they have obtained their results. Many times, women have repeat UTI's in pregnancy, and when they are big ones, it is most likely that another infection is causing the imbalance. Gram stains can detect all kinds of infections like STI's (they used to be called STD's), bacterial vaginosis and other things. Pap smears detect cervical cancer.

At Hilary's clinic, 230 patients were given gram stain tests and 117 had bacterial vaginosis! This can cause all sorts of problems such as premature labor, Premature rupture of membranes (prom), infection to the baby and can cause cervicitis.

The statistics for the RP are very low for the amount of people who have STI's, but it is thought now that it isn't because not many people have them, it's more because they haven't been tested and studies haven't been conducted.

We are hoping that these women will be much healthier through their pregnancies with this new part added to our program, and less women will have to be transported to the hospital where the care is a much lower quality, and where they would be faced with much bigger medical bills.

Illegal Child Prostitution in the Philippines

2007-04-04T05:41:00.001-07:00

stephanie
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

A friend sent me an article about illegal and underaged prostitution that is becoming a big problem right here in the Philippines. It burdened my heart so much that I have to do what I can to raise awareness and hopefully prayer warriors who will fight Satan for the restitution of God's children. Pray with me please. The picture is one of a 14 year old girl in such a situation - it was included in the story. Story below:

'Chairman' reveals seedy world of trafficking

The BBC's Asia correspondent Andrew Harding has a rare encounter with a conscience-stricken Philippines gangland boss who runs a network trafficking underaged girls to work in brothels. He agreed to talk on condition of anonymity. He looks like a bank manager, on holiday. Grey hair, steel-rimmed glasses, polo shirt and paunch.

We have arranged to meet in a hotel lobby, and I am late. His two bodyguards are sitting by the door - pistols tucked none too subtly under their shirts. Later, I find out that the guards are actually off-duty policemen - doing a little freelance work for the local underworld boss. Welcome to the Philippines.

The boss is introduced to me by my local contact as "the chairman" - and half-jokingly "the underworld king". At this, the chairman smiles tightly - and it is hard to tell if he is flattered or angry. I am not sure why he has agreed to talk to me. But as we all squeeze into the lift on the way up to my room, he mentions his conscience. Apparently it has been troubling him.

For 30 years now, the chairman has been trafficking girls. He used to be a police sergeant, but says he got kicked off the force for adultery. Twice. His second wife worked in a brothel. One thing led to another, and soon he was travelling around the countryside, recruiting children.

He is disarmingly open about all this - explaining how he lies to the families, buys the girls, and then forces them into brothels. No-one is sure about the figures. But it is thought there could be 100,000 Philippine children involved in the local sex trade.

Others are forced into domestic work or mining or sugar plantations, or shipped abroad. They are victims of a trafficking empire that has become one of the world's most lucrative criminal industries.

Safe-house escape

Over the years, the chairman has worked his way up, from trainee field recruiter, to running individual brothels, and now to overseeing an entire network - an underworld association, he calls it. Hence his official title. He agrees to show me round his patch. A maze of dark crowded alleys, throbbing with karaoke music. Young girls hover inside the bars - some smiling, some not.

It is late evening by the time we walk through the slum. Actually it is more like a jog. The chairman is worried my unexplained presence could attract the attention of rival gangs. So we leave within minutes. I do not get a chance to talk to any of his employees. But I have already seen plenty of victims at a safe-house in Manila.

Some had managed to run away, a few had been rescued by the police. I met one girl who was 11. And another 14-year-old who believed she had been hired as a waitress, but ended up being raped by a Korean tourist who had paid for sex with a virgin. The victims hardly ever press charges. They are either too scared, or they have been paid off, or both.

The chairman drives me to another slightly less seedy part of town and we sit drinking cold beer on the street. The bodyguards sip theirs and make a show of bringing out their pistols. Dozens of prostitutes line the uneven pavement behind us. There is neon overhead and puddles underfoot.
After a while, I start chatting to a small, cheerful woman called Tess, the madam of a tiny club just down the road. She's 50, and, like the chairman, has spent many years in the countryside as a recruiter. Now she has got 17 girls working for her - all, she insists, are there out of choice, and aged 18 or older. Bizarrely, she claims they are all distant relatives. I only recruit my own, she explains.

She is proud of the business she has set up. It provides a regular income for girls who would otherwise be trapped in poverty. Half of Tess's prostitutes live at home with her immediate family. My children are understanding of my business, she says, before heading back inside her club.

Moral mire

The chairman has to go soon too. We have one last round of beer. As we've been talking, it has become clear he cannot quite decide how to portray himself. I have agreed not to reveal his identity, so he is frank about the crimes he has committed - trafficking girls, bribing police and so on. But sometimes the chairman in him takes over from the crook.

He suddenly insists he never pays bribes, then describes, with apparent conviction, how he no longer wants to hire under-aged girls. And how he would like to pay for vocational classes for those working in his brothels - and how perhaps this interview can even help to clean up the industry. The contradictions make sense.

He is 54 now, with eight children, 17 brothels, a reasonably comfortable lifestyle, and a certain status in his "profession". It is hardly surprising that his conscience is nagging him. We shake hands. His guards tuck their pistols away, and they all drive off to make their nightly rounds collecting protection money from the brothels.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6507495.stm

Published: 2007/04/01 23:01:55 GMT

© BBC MMVII

March Newsletter

2007-03-28T00:51:00.001-07:00

11th Handle 003
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

March, 2007

Dear Friends and Family,

Once again, the time has passed me by, and I find myself needing to scramble to write my monthly update before the month is gone! This is a good thing I think, because it means that I am enjoying my time here very much, and that I keep myself busy :)

At the clinic, I heard that February was typically a slow month in the birth room, and that March was a really busy month. I chalked that one up to chance, because how would one go about predicting this kind of thing when we are working with pregnant women who have no schedule when they come in to have their babies?

But at least for this year it was true. In February, most of the shifts were slow, with one or two labors coming in any given shift, and I guess I had started to think this was normal until March hit. We counted how many babies were born from March 16-19, and we had 23! For the first three weeks of March we have delivered 77 babies! I had my fair share of this busyness. On March 18 I was the first one to receive a labor. Then, a few minutes later another one came in and so Rose and I both had labors. So far, so good, but then 3 more labors came in about an hour later, so all 4 of us on shift had a labor, and I had 2!!! This is the first time this has happened to me, and I freaked out a little, because both women were in active labor. My first labor was 8cm dilated, and the second one I checked in was 6cm. So I was in each cubicle interchangeably, supporting each woman. What a rush!

One woman gave birth at 12:30 noon, and then the other 4 started to get vocal at around 1:30pm. So the 3 of us who were in charge of them rushed in and started to help them through the transition part of labor. I had to give one of my labors over to my supervisor since her labor wasn’t as active (and I couldn’t be in 2 places at once!). I thought they would all give birth before the next group of midwives was due to come on shift, but since that didn’t happen I gave my labors over to the new group, and just barely in time too! The new group of midwives all had women who came in for baby check ups, but of course they were all busy taking care of the women who were having babies, so I did my own baby check up, and then proceeded to do all of theirs as well. 2 hours after my shift ended, I was able to go home, but it was good, and I got to meet a baby born to one of the women under my charge.

My month was not spent completely in the birth room however! The first week of March, three of my friends and I took advantage of some time off and went to Baguio City, which is nestled in the mountains on the island of Luzon (just north of Manila). I used to go there with my family as a child, and love it there. We had so much fun wearing sweatshirts, sleeping under blankets, picking strawberries, riding horses and doing other tourist type things. The whole cold factor might not seem that great to you guys, but it was a major drawing factor for us… well, that and drinking Starbucks :)

So this month has been wonderful. Right now, I am concentrating on honing my Intrapartum skills – learning more about what goes on in the time that a woman enters labor up through the time when it is over. I am learning why I do what I already have learned to do by example. That is the amazing part of my training here – sometimes I learn how to do things before I actually know why.

Thank you for being such a big part of my life. All of you are a huge part of the reason why I am thriving here. If you have any questions about my ministry, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me. I love hearing from you.

Always,
Jenny

P.S. This picture is of the 11th baby that I delivered all bundled up after his bath and newborn exam. Look closely you will see his cute footprints on my chart :) This may very well be one of my favorite pictures in the whole world!

Our Trip to Baguio!

2007-03-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since I last updated, and for that I am sorry. I wanted to share some pictures from the trip that I took along with a few of my friends, Lois, Starla and Charity. We were blessed to have the first week of March off of clinic duties etc, and so while dreaming one Saturday of going somewhere like Indonesia, we realized that we didn't have the finances to do that trip, but a trip within the RP was totally possible. That soon became a reality when we were given the green light by our director.

We stayed our first night (Sun, 3/4) at the Knudtsens' house who are close family friends of mine. They were really great, and though we didn't have much time with them, it was wonderful to catch up with them again. Then, the next morning we were off bright and early to the bus on our way to a beautiful city in the mountains called Baguio.

The trip there was about 6 hours, but the bus had a/c, so it really was quite comfortable. I have friends in Baguio, long time friends of my family as well, the Weihmans. Kimberly wasn't there because she is in MN with my family, and Manang Remy wasn't there because she couldn't get out of Manila in time, but Josiah (or Josh) was, and he was a great sport, hanging out with all us girls.

So, that night, he took us to SM Mall where we went right into Starbucks. That right there made the whole trip worth it :) This mall is unique in that it didn't need any a/c to keep the shoppers happy. It is built into the mountains, and has a huge veranda that lets cool air in, and gives the shoppers beautiful views of the city. We also paddled around a lake down in Burnham park (not very well I might add) but as you can see from the pics, we enjoyed that immensely.

The next day, we went to the Hot Springs, which I have to admit I was a little dissapointed in because the water was SO hot that the furthest I got in was halfway up my calves! But maybe that is just because I am a wimp. It takes me a long time to get into normal jacuzzis, much less tubs of water heated by volcanoes! But it was fun nonetheless.

We then went to Camp John Hay, which brought so many wonderful memories back of family vacations that we spent there while I was growing up. We saw butterflies (it may seem like there are alot of butterfly pics in the slideshow, but believe me, I deleted alot of them, I have many many more.) And we rode horses, some had more problems than others, but it was a great experience. And we had strawberry ice cream.

Then we stopped by the PMA, Philippine Military Academy where we got to climb tanks, see helicopters and so much more that were used in WWII. It was a lot of walking around, but with the cool weather it was quite enjoyable. All I can say is if I lived there, I would be a much more fit person, one would have to be what with all the hills!

Then, the day we left, we stopped at the strawberry farm where we picked 9 kilos of strawberries. At first we thought we overpicked for sure thinking they would never get eaten, but we shouldn't have worried. Some didn't quite make the trip, but we were allowed to hand carry them so most made it fine, and we were adored by the girls here who we invited to have some with ice cream.

And, last but not least, I can now say I have been to Mall of Asia, the biggest mall in Asia. It was nice, a mixture of inside and outside stores, so one could stay in the a/c or not. One would think in Manila that wouldn't work out too well, but the mall is right next to the ocean, so a nice breeze cools the outside areas. We even found a Subway which we were all excited to eat lunch at. Not quite the same as home, but good enough.

All in all it was a really great trip, and all of us girls were really glad we took the time to be away from it all, because as our plane landed in Davao (Thurs 3/8), I expected to feel mostly sad that our time away was over, but mostly I felt happy to be "home" and excited to deliver more babies and see more pregnant women!

Settlers!

2007-02-20T06:40:00.001-08:00

Settlers! 001
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Finally! I think many of you know how much I love the game of Settlers of Catan, but sadly enough I hadn't played it since arriving here in Davao way back in September of 2006! That means I didn't play at all for 4 1/2 months! It's almost a crime!

I had asked around, and it seemed as though people had prejudices against the game (unfounded by the way) or were not really that interested in learning.

But one night, I got 2 people to agree to play (all I needed) and I set it up before minds could be changed. What I didn't realize was that "if you set it up, they will play...." I set the game up without the expansion, but people became interested, and 2 of the girls pictured here, Jonna (far left corner) and Meg (center) had played before, and loved it and didn't know someone had the game here!

So, finally I am fulfilled. I have gotten to play, and I think I have found people willing to play again. So, this goes out to my internship buddies, Mike, Amanda and Reuben - for all the wonderful times we had in Vietnam, playing this wonderful game on land and sea. I wish you were here to play this game with me now!

Moses

2007-01-27T07:17:00.000-08:00

We at Mercy have many unique opportunities given to us. Moses is one of those. I actually did a prenatal on his mom just before she had him, and when I asked the standard question of how she was doing, and if there was anything she wanted to talk about, she started right in on how she wanted us at Mercy to help her get her unborn baby (Moses) adopted. So I talked with her for a while and noted that on her chart.

Not long after, she gave birth at Mercy, and didn't even want to look at Moses because she knew she couldn't keep him. She already had 3 kids at home with no husband, so this really was the best thing she could do for him.

So the next few weeks Moses lived at our apartment, with us midwives taking turns playing mommy, but life gets busy here, and we couldn't keep it up for long, so eventually we brought him to Living Stones Orphange where he is now living until he gets adopted.

When we are not busy, however, the director of Living Stones allows us at Mercy to "check-out" a baby for as long as we can. So, this last weekend, I went and got Moses, and he spent some time with us. He has gotten so much bigger than when he was with us before!

Being a Mom is a full-time job, and not one I am ready to envy anyone of quite yet! I couldn't believe how much work just going out was when you had a baby to think about, and I only had him for a short time! So, here's to all the mom's out there! I don't know how you do it, but God bless you for it! There surely is a special crown waiting in heaven for you!

Pregnant Women Praising Jesus :)

2007-01-16T07:16:00.000-08:00

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

I am so blessed by the women that I get to do prenatals on every Thursday morning. The midwives have our own devotions, then, we join the 'buntis' (pregnant) women in the gathering room and sing songs with them.

This is a video of them singing a song about clapping and raising your hands to praise Jesus in Cebuano. After the singing, they have their own devotions and then a health teaching. We teach them about the benefits of breastfeeding, nutrition, what to expect in labor and delivery etc.

Last week I did a health teaching on nutrition. Sometimes it is hard to get them to participate, and I am not sure that they learn much, so I thought it would be great to have participation incentives. At first I thought about giving out candy for correct answers on why you need protein, or what kind of foods are rich in calcium, but laughed to myself as I thought it. I couldn't teach about nutrition and hand out candy! So, I went to the market, and bought a bunch of apples (they are in season now). I got lots of participation, and it was so exciting to know that they really understood what was being taught.

God blesses me so much through these women.

Jenny's First Birth

2007-01-04T02:40:00.000-08:00

For quite a while I was not feeling ready to be the one to actually catch the baby. I wasn't sure if I would ever be ready. Assisting was a lot of responsibility already, and that seemed to be enough for now. I left for my Christmas visit with my friends needing 2 more assists and the night I got back to Davao, I got those 2 assists.

Surprisingly, however, I was ready the morning that I reported for shift, and I got a labor. My first labor I sent home though because she was only 1 cm, and she needed to be home for more of her labor so she would progress faster. Then, a few hours later, another girl came in, and after checking her in, she said she felt like pushing! We did an i.e. and found out the baby was on it's way at 9++ cm!

So, needless to say, it was a very fast birth! :) But everything went well, with Inday listening to us as we coached her along.

Since then, I have had one more birth, and that went very well also. God gives us what we need when we need it, and the births that I have attended are proof of that. I love my work here, God is so good!

Cauayan and Manila 12-06

2007-01-02T19:55:00.000-08:00

I spent much of my time with Ate (that means big sister in Filipino) Mae, Ate Merly, Ate Neng and Lorna. We went to a wedding the morning of my birthday, and we joked around saying that was my "blow out." Here, the birthday person treats his/her friends to dinner or whatever, and it is called a "blow out." So, I must be pretty rich, being able to serve up 2 whole pigs for my party!! The wedding was beautiful.

Then, we went to a beauty parlor, and got our nails and hair done. After which, we watched Miss Congeniality, and paused for a cake cutting blowing out candles (or candle in my case). Then, we watched another movie until midnight. It was really a great birthday.

We played alot of games together, and talked alot... Watched movies and did all the things that makes a girl happy! :)

I had to leave Cauayan on the night of the 24th, because I needed to be back in Davao on the 26th and didn't want to travel on Christmas Day. So I spent Christmas with the Knudtsen family, and it was so wonderful. Almost like being with my own family, seeing as I am pretty much adopted into their family!

I also got to spend time with Krista U., one of my classmates from Bethany. That was very special because i hadn't seen anyone from my class in a long time already. She was able to show me all around her area of Manila, and we even went out for Starbucks!

Culalabat, December 2006

2007-01-02T05:24:00.000-08:00

I was very blessed to be able to leave Davao for a short vacation to spend time with close friends in the area that I grew up in. I had already taken the English class that was being offered, so there was nothing I needed to do from Dec. 19 until Dec. 26th! I just had to switch some shifts with the other girls, and I was home free!

I had such an amazing time. The above pics are of my weekend in Culalabat, the village that I grew up in. I saw so many close friends I hadn't seen in 3 years or more. It was such a blessing. The church and the youth group have grown since I was there last, and that in and of itself is a blessing.

Many of the youth group now consisted of young people that are my godchildren though! They are growing up on me! I started being asked to be a godmother or "ninang" at the ripe old age of 10, so that is why!

Many of my friends are now married with their own families, but I love seeing how God has different plans for each and every one of us.

Laura's 20th Birthday

2007-01-02T05:18:00.000-08:00

We had a really great time hanging out with Laura on her birthday. She didn't know we were doing the bowling... All she knew about was the dinner, so that was so much fun. We covered her eyes and led her into the bowling area.

It was an old fashioned bowling place, where people sat in the back and set up the pins. At one point, Laura got tired of waiting since they were understaffed, so she went back and started setting them up herself! She thought they would kick her out, but I think they were glad to have help! :)

2006-12-13T22:41:00.000-08:00

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

I had a wonderful 24th birthday! I was out with one of my friends, Lois, and she got a text from another friend saying that they were at this beach, and would we like to join them for lunch? We didn't have lunch plans as of yet, so we said "sure, why not?"

This beach is on an island not far from Davao, but we take a ferry there. As we were approaching the ferry, we saw another friend of ours, Allison, just sitting by some bushes, apparently doing nothing... She said she was waiting for the ferry, but was far from the boat, so when I asked, she just waived it off, and changed the subject.

At this point, I have no suspicions whatsoever that anything has been planned. We meet the rest of our friends there, and Jenna, being funny (you will hear her on the video) jumped out from behind a tree, and yelled, "SURPRISE!" I was a little confused then, when she asked if I was surprised, but to which I replied, "no, I knew you were behind the tree!" They all looked at me a little weird, but then we went on with the day.

It wasn't until a good amount of time had passed with us hanging out in the water, that a live band that had been playing some tables down came to where we were, and asked who the birthday girl was!

This is the point when it all dawned on me that they had planned a surprise party for me!!! At first, I didn't want to offend anyone by saying my birthday wasn't for another 20 days when they had worked hard at planning all of this, but then Jenna sat me down, and told me the whole tale. And what a tale it was!!

Basically, they thought that my birthday was on the first, and scrambled to pass along the message to everyone to meet at Paradise (the beach) to celebrate the next day. It wasn't until a few hours later with me conveniently at work that they dug through my things, and found my driver's license which told them they had planned it 20 days early.

So, with my birthday being so close to Christmas, they didn't want me to get lost in the shuffle, so they decided to do it on the first anyway. Good way to surprise someone that's for sure! I had never had a surprise party before, so this was a really great one!

So all in all, it was a wonderful day, thanks to my wonderful friends! The band embarrassed me well, singing Happy Birthday to me 3 different ways, and then asking what other song I would like them to sing. Having been put on the spot, I didn't know, but they suggested "Pretty Woman" which is one of my favorites, so this is the video of some of that.

Scuba Diving!!!

2006-12-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

Scuba Diving has always been something I have been fascinated by! There is nothing like seeing how creative God is underwater. It seems that is all I can think about as I look at each new kind of fish, or the many colors of corals everywhere. And to think that he made all of that with just one command? I am so glad to serve such a powerful and yet creative God. One who cares about the world we live in so deeply.

The other day, Lois and i were talking about how we needed a little break, and I mentioned we hadn't gone scuba diving yet, and then when we realized that most of our group of friends had the day off, we knew we had to go! It was $13 for the whole day, and that included everything except lunch!

We are now considering getting licensed because it really was such an amazing experience, but Decemeber is already shaping up to be a very busy month, so we might wait until after the holidays...

American Thanksgiving (1/3)

2006-11-28T06:41:00.000-08:00

Piling our plates high!
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

What am I thankful for this season?

1. God bringing me back to The Philippines, but in a different setting.
2. God being faithful to be with me, even when I miss my family and friends at home.
3. New friends that have already become so close to me.
4. Old friends that still write to me, and show that they care about me.
5. Chances to impact the lives of so many beautiful women here on a daily basis.
6. Hot weather, and not cold :)

I could keep on going, but those are probably the main things that I tell God that I am so thankful for. I can't believe how wonderful He is to me at times, and when I catch myself thinking I don't deserve it, He reminds me that I do, because I am His child, and He loves me and wants what is best for me.

American Thanksgiving (2/3)

2006-11-28T06:36:00.000-08:00

DSC02186
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

We had one very long table that was filled with all kinds of wonderful food. It had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes and so much more.

It was truly a blessing to have had the chance to fellowship with the people that I work and play with. To have a Thanksgiving that reminded me of home, yet at the same time was different than it would have been at home so that I didn't dwell on the missing my family part too much.

American Thanksgiving (3/3)

2006-11-28T06:32:00.000-08:00

My Crazy friends and I
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

I don't really know what Jenna was doing here, but rest assured she keeps the party fun for everyone! She has a fun personality and manages to include so many people in the fun that she has.

Here, we had just finished our amazing meal, and were just laughing and sitting and talking as we waited for our food to digest to make room for the dessert that was yet to come.

The Night of 4 Babies!

2006-11-11T23:38:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I had been a little on the sad side because I had had several shifts where no babies were born. I prayed about it, and asked God to have at least one baby born on my next shift. And it happened! I was elated.

My next shift followed not long after, and I remember asking God for more babies to be born, but didn't ask for a number. That night, not 1, not 2 or even 3 babies were born on my shift, but 4!!! I really was amazed! God knew what to do put a smile on my face!

They were all spaced about 1/2 an hour apart, and so amazingly I was able to be at each birth. Needless to say we were all a little tired at the end of our shift, but elated at the same time. Sarah, one of my fellow midwives, had the great idea of 'borrowing' all the babies and placing them on the couch for their first group picture! So, we did, and it is probably one of my most favorite ones!

Get Your Own! View Slideshow

Brownout In The Birthroom

2006-11-11T23:27:00.000-08:00

I was walking to work, when I realized that the clinic was unusally dark for so late at night. We had just had a downpour of rain, but it took me a few minutes to realize that the lights were out. It was 10pm, and we only had a few battery operated lights, so we took to using candles.

I was curious how it was going to be if the mothers that were there laboring gave birth in the dark, how would the midwife know what condition the baby was in, or the mother? Fortunately, I never found out, because although the mother labored by candlelight, the electricity came back on around midnight, and everything went smoothly.

One lesson learned? Be flexible, and ready for anything!!

Get Your Own! View Slideshow

50th Wedding Anniversary in The RP!

2006-11-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

I was invited by Ate Susan to attend her parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary a few weeks ago. It was so beautiful, I just wish i had known how formal the event was going to be! They re-enacted their wedding commplete with bridesmaids in gold, flower girls and the bride and groom in wedding attire! It was a great time though hanging out with the Filipinas and eating delicious food, including roasted pig!

Get Your Own! View Slideshow

2006-11-09T18:56:00.000-08:00

I know this has nothing to do with my life here in The Philippines as a midwife, but it was sent to me, and when I tried it, I couldn't stop laughing.

So if you want a laugh, and then to think of how amazing our God is try this:

1. While sitting in a chair, feet flat on the floor, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction!

I think God is pretty cool!

Summer Abdul (1/1)

2006-11-01T04:26:00.000-08:00

Summer and her Mom
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

I just love this picture so much. I was working swing shift, from 2pm to 10pm, and I was priveleged to shadow Sarah Yemens. (You may remember her from my Amazing Race Stories - she is the one cutting the pineapple :)

I think this is one of the most beautiful births that I had been to up until this point, because Summer's mom was young. She is only 17, and it is her first baby. She was alone for most of the labor, and when she started to get active, she didn't want the fan on, but was sweating a good amount. So, I held her hand through the contractions, and wiped her face in between them.

But, before the baby arrived, maybe about 1/2 an hour before, the dad showed up, and took my place. He was so loving, so encouraging for the mom. She really didn't think she could do it, and kept on saying that, but everytime she did, he would reassure her the other way, saying she was strong, and she could do it.

He hugged her through the contractions, and whispered things in her ear to keep her going, and wiped the sweat off her brow. It was really one of the most precious moments I have seen.

Then, not long after, a beautiful baby girl came out. She was healthy, and the parents were so happy. I really enjoyed being a part of that birth. A memory I will not soon forget.

Rhea & Living Stones Orphanage (1/6)

2006-11-01T04:12:00.000-08:00

Rhea
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Before getting on the plane to come to The Philippines, I had so many questions. I asked Krys, the lead midwife here many of them, but felt at one point that surely she was getting tired of my endless curiosity. I am sure that wasn’t the case now that I have met Krys. She is an incredibly kind and patient person, but I didn’t know that at the time.

Then, one of the girls that was already here, Krysten, invited me to view her blog as one way to satisfy my curiousity. So, I became a faithful reader, fascinated by everything I learned.

I already knew I wanted to come here, I mean for crying out loud, Krysten arrived here in March, and was delivering her own babies by May! But the real clincher came soon after…

Rhea & Living Stones Orphanage (2/6)

2006-11-01T04:11:00.000-08:00

Kristen and Manny
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

She wrote about some of the kids that she took home from a local orphanage for the weekend. She talked about Rhea and Manny. I got so excited, and wanted to know more about this amazing opportunity.

I love going to orphanages and spending time loving on the kids there, but usually come away with a feeling of, I wish there was more that I could do. Well, here I discovered that yes, indeed, there was more!

Rhea & Living Stones Orphanage (3/6)

2006-11-01T04:10:00.000-08:00

Manny and I
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

There is an orphanage called Living Stones Orphanage. It is small, but the director is good friends with the leadership at Mercy. When some of the girls here expressed an interest in the kids more than just in passing, the opportunity came about for them to take a kid or two home for as long as they wanted to or could. This way, the workers at the orphanage got a small amount of reprieve, and the kids got some one on one attention that they otherwise wouldn’t get. Actually, since there are so many of us that live in the same house, the babies are usually the stars of the show when they come home with us, and get PLENTY of attention!

The way that Living Stones works, is that they are given care of babies and children whose parents cannot keep them for whatever reason. Some parents hope to make some money, and then take their kids home again soon. Others just hand over the custody. Living Stones will keep the child and not put him or her up for adoption for 6 full months while the parent tries to get his/her feet on the ground. Then, after that, the parent is asked to take the child, and if they can’t or don’t want to, the child is put up for adoption. A few of the babies will be going to their new homes soon. Like in this picture, Manny is being adopted by a couple from Switzerland.

Rhea & Living Stones Orphanage (4/6)

2006-11-01T04:09:00.000-08:00

Jenna, Manny and a few others
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

So, I knew that I had a lot of things to do yet that weekend, and had planned only to go with Krysten and Lois and Jenna to see the kids, and lay a foundation so I could return at a later date. I knew this was only a head decision however, and was most likely not going to be able to leave without a baby.

Krysten’s favorite is Julian, he was actually born at Mercy, where I am, and his mother was not able to keep him. He will stay at Living Stones for 6 months in the hope that his mom will be able to get him soon, but otherwise will be put up for adoption at some point.

Rhea & Living Stones Orphanage (5/6)

2006-11-01T04:07:00.000-08:00

Lois and one of the babies
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Rhea is the sweetest, cutest little baby girl I have seen in a very long time. She was so happy most of the time, and I really enjoyed spending time with her at the orphanage. I found out that her 6 months was up, and that her mom was coming the next week to bring her home, and when I heard that, I knew that I wanted to take her home at least once before it was no longer a possibility.

So, I brought Rhea home, and Krysten brought Julian home, and we had a blast together. It was a Saturday, and so we first went to the mall and bought some diapers and some formula for them, and then went home. I gave Rhea a bath, which we both enjoyed immensely, we had a great bucket type of thing in our shower, and she splashed us both silly. After that, we went to the market, Rhea in my arms tied up with a blanket for support, and Julian with Krysten.

Then, we played for some time, and had some dinner, and she was sleeping by 7:30pm. We woke her up not long after so that she would sleep through the night later, but then, by 9:30 she was sleeping again.

Rhea & Living Stones Orphanage (6/6)

2006-11-01T04:05:00.000-08:00

Rhea
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

The next morning, we were both wide awake by 5 AM!!! It wasn’t that she cried, but how could I sleep with her just staring at me? So, not long after, we got dressed, and went on a walk to the corner and got some fresh rolls for breakfast.

We ended our time together at church, where we got an extra dose of attention because of her… She did great, and we really had a blast the whole weekend. Krysten brought her and Julian back that afternoon.

Since that time, that was the beginning of October, I have been planning to return to the orphanage, but life gets so hectic here, and time flies by so fast, which is why I am only blogging about Rhea’s and my time together now! Sorry about that! I did, however see Rhea in church last Sunday with the ladies from the Orphanage, and found out that her mom lost her job the week she was supposed to come and get Rhea, so she is still at the orphanage. Pray that God’s will be done in that situation.

Outland Adventure (1/13)

2006-10-18T04:22:00.000-07:00

Our Team
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

On October 4th, our team of 6 girls plus a few other students who wished to come went to a place called Outland Adventure for a day of team bonding and fun. I must say that I have not been stretched this much physically, mentally and emotionally in a very long time.

We were put in many situations where we really needed to learn to lean on each other and really trust. As you may see in the following pictures, those are not my strong points 

From left to right: Carmen, myself, Laura, Tiffany, Lois, Elizabeth, Jenna and Charity. Carmen has been here for one year now, and Elizabeth for 6 months. The rest of us are the new ones.

Outland Adventure (2/13)

2006-10-18T04:16:00.000-07:00

Jenny finally doing the trust fall
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

As some of you might know, I have been given the opportunity to do the trust fall in the past, and graciously declined it.  I couldn’t imagine standing on a platform so high and expecting only hands of my peers to catch me! I would have again declined this opportunity, but my teammates would have none of it.

The last time I was given this opportunity, I was with many people I have known for a very long time now, some students from Bethany, Jason and a few others, and Rich and Linda Tolosi, but still couldn’t do it.

So you can imagine how very hard it was for me to do this fall with people I had only met a month previous. There were tears, but in the end they did catch me, and you can see from everyone’s faces how proud they were of me. I am glad I did it, but that isn’t to say I would jump at the chance to do it again!

Outland Adventure (3/13)

2006-10-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

Laura doing the trustfall
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Here is Laura, one of my teammates doing the trust fall. She must have a more trusting personality, because she fell without tears, though from her face you can tell it wasn’t easy for her either. But look at her posture! Great job Laura!

Outland Adventure (4/13)

2006-10-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

Birthday Log
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

This is what we called the birthday log. Everyone hopped up on the log before we were told what to do. Only after we were on did we find out we had to arrange ourselves by birthday… Well, we had it backwards. I was on the right along with some other December birthday girls, and the January people needed to be there!

We accomplished the task well, even though we fell off twice, and the first consequence was jumping jacks, and the second one was no talking! So that meant hand signals. This was a fun exercise of cooperation.

Outland Adventure (5/13)

2006-10-18T04:13:00.000-07:00

The spider web
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

By the time we were brought to this activity, many of us were a little tired already, and so this was a frustrating one. I would have to say about 90% of us are more natural leaders than followers, and that made things interesting.

We needed to get all our team members through the rope sections without touching, and couldn’t use a hole more than once. Then, if one person touched, we all started over. Needless to say, we started over a few times, and after that, many of us learned how to just follow instructions instead of trying to fight for the leadership!

Outland Adventure (6/13)

2006-10-18T04:11:00.000-07:00

Wall Climbing
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

I would have thought that this activity would have been incredibly challenging, but because Carmen and Elizabeth had done it before, it actually went very smoothly! Elizabeth was the first to scale the wall, and with just a boost, she was up and over!

Then, with people giving me a shoulder or hand up, it wasn’t hard at all to get up! But I know for sure it was nothing that I did, instead it was my teammates willing to give of themselves for the betterment of the team.

Outland Adventure (7/13)

2006-10-18T04:09:00.000-07:00

Analise and I
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Then, came a blessed lunch break!!! This is me hanging out with little Analise, the daughter of a married couple here at Mercy. She was actually born here in the Philippines with a few of the midwives from Mercy assisting! And her mom is expecting again, and I should still be around when Analise’s little sibling comes to join us!

Outland Adventure (8/13)

2006-10-18T04:02:00.000-07:00

Careful...
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

This activity took strategy and planning and co-operation. We were told to stand one mat and get to the other one. Those were all the rules were given, and we had to figure out the rest. Fortunately a few of us had done an activity like this in the past, and so we had some idea of what was expected of us.

Outland Adventure (9/13)

2006-10-18T04:01:00.000-07:00

Tire Climbing!
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

This adventure took a lot out of me, but was one of the more fun ones I think. Lois and I worked well together, with her standing on my shoulders to get on the log first, and then her pulling me up after she was on. We finally made it to the top, and we felt like we were on top of the world!

We are at the very top here, trying hard to get to where we can reach the bell signaling we have accomplished what we set out to do!

Outland Adventure (10/13)

2006-10-18T03:59:00.000-07:00

Tightrope walking anyone?
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

I put this picture up because physically this took the most out of me. The crazy thing is that even though about ½ way through I would have loved to just let go, and have someone lower me to the ground, that was not possible! Once you start, you have to go to one end or the other, and if you fall, you have to get back on.

Even though I would not willingly jump back on the wire it was proof that what my mom always told me was true. She said, “One day, Jenny, when you learn how to use your stubbornness, it will be a great benefit to you. You will stick through situations that others may give up on.” Well, even though I didn’t have a choice, I had to go to one end or the other, it still felt great knowing I did persevere!

If you look very closely, there is a small dot towards the horizon of trees... that is my destination!

Outland Adventure (11/13)

2006-10-18T03:56:00.000-07:00

The highwire!
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

As my group of 4 girls approached the top of the mountain, not knowing what was waiting for us, we looked up only to find two of our teammates high above us on the highwire!

They made it look so easy, but oh how looks can be deceiving!

Outland Adventure (12/13)

2006-10-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

A different kind of basketball
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

This was one of the activities that was easy for me only because I stood at the bottom holding the bamboo as steady as possible while some of the other girls climbed up it. The goal was to get 6 girls up to the top with a ball where there is a basket. So it was an interesting version of basketball!

Outland Adventure (13/13)

2006-10-18T03:50:00.000-07:00

Flying down
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

I have been rock climbing before but not like this… Usually the walls I climb are wide, this was another pole with little knobs to climb, but some of them were loose, so I had to make sure I was really holding on well!

When we were at the top, before jumping we were asking to shout out some of our goals we had. Some of my goals?

*Get closer to God
*Learn how to become a great midwife
*Find a really good friend here in the RP

So, all in all, it was a good experience, the next morning I woke up just a little on the sore side, but also with a smile knowing if I could do all that I did yesterday, I would be able to do other challenging things that might arise.

Prenatal Day (1/8)

2006-10-15T03:31:00.000-07:00

Waiting area in MMC
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Here is a brief preview of what it looks on Thursday mornings for me. We each are put on a team, so we work with the same people each day we are on prenatals. My team is named Sampugita which is a name for a flower that grows here in the tropics.

This is where the women come in and wait for their prenatals. Some come as early 6 am even though prenatals don’t start until 8 am. Because Filipinos have a more relaxed sense of time, where relationships are the main focus and not time, we have all the women come in on a specific day in time for worship and then we take each one in according to who arrived first.

Prenatal Day (2/8)

2006-10-15T03:30:00.000-07:00

Worship
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

So, the first thing when we start is the women gather into a room across the way from the prenatal room. We sing a few songs and pray together. I just love to watch them worship, especially when we sing in Tagalog or Visayan. Their whole demeanor changes from head to heart. There is something about praising Jesus in your own language.

Prenatal Day (3/8)

2006-10-15T03:29:00.000-07:00

Prayer
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

We are able to incorporate prayer into many things that we do with the women. We pray a few times in the big gathering, and then at the end of each prenatal, we ask if we can pray for them. I have yet to be refused in my offer.

The women who come in are so very beautiful. They wear their best outfits, and have the cutest pregnant outfits. In fact, I am thinking about having a tailor copy some of the styles!

Prenatal Day (4/8)

2006-10-15T03:26:00.000-07:00

Allison doing a Health Teaching
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

After praise and worship, we have a devotional, led by one of the Filipinas so that they hear the Word of God in their own language. Then, a health teaching is presented. We take turns doing this, and usually one of the Filipinas like Ate Melody will translate.

This is Allison doing a teaching on the growth of the baby within the womb. She tells them how big their baby is at each month, and you can see the interest in each of the woman’s faces as the month Allison describes pertains to them. We also teach on breastfeeding, labor and birth and other topics the women need to know.

Prenatal Day (5/8)

2006-10-15T03:24:00.000-07:00

Getting Weighed
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Many of the women are very small. We take down their weight every time they come in, and it is amazing to me how the weight they usually gain is all baby. The closer to the end of the pregnancy, when I feel for the position of the baby, it feels like there isn’t much separating me from that baby because all that is in the woman’s tummy is her baby! Many of the women weigh in at a little over 100 pounds even close to their due date!

Although it would be nice to weigh so little, I don’t think it is all genes that they are so little. We are constantly having to stress the importance of nutrition, because many times, they don’t weigh enough to support themselves along with their babies.

Prenatal Day (6/8)

2006-10-15T03:23:00.000-07:00

Taking Blood Pressure
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Blood Pressure… In theory it sounds so easy. You put a stethoscope on, and pump up the reading until 200 or so. Then listen for the first beat, remember the number, and the last one. Simple right? Not for me! I am practicing on myself, and on anyone else that will let me so that I can train my ears to hear those sounds. It makes it especially hard when there is a lot of outside noise. But I have been told I just need to keep practicing!

Prenatal Day (7/8)

2006-10-15T03:22:00.000-07:00

Just a little poke...
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

This is a fun process, well maybe not for the women but I liked doing it! Ate Melody is drawing blood to record the woman’s hematocrit (HCT). It is a test for anemia. Many of the women have low HCT counts because their nutrition is inadequate. We are always asking them to increase their intakes of iron foods and protein rich foods.

An interesting thing that I learned recently… I found out that you can eat the whole egg! Including the shell!!! How cool is that? Yeah, so it is an excellent source of calcium I found out. One of the midwives recommends the patient to make 3 hard boiled eggs in the morning and peel them. She tells her to eat one at each meal, which is a great source of protein, and then crush the shells to a fine powder and sprinkle it over her food. It is tasteless, but a great source of calcium when women can’t afford the dairy or other calcium rich foods.

Prenatal Day (8/8)

2006-10-15T03:19:00.000-07:00

Finding Meraflor's baby's heartbeat
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

This is me trying my hand at finding the baby’s heartbeat. Sometimes I can find it easily, other times, it gets a little tricky depending on the baby’s position. First thing I do when I call a woman in to my area, is introductions. Then I ask her a few questions in Visayan (I know great right?) about if there have been any problems since she has been in last. Then I have her lie down and check her fundal height (how big the baby is) and then palpate to see what the position the baby is in. Then, after all that, I check for the heartbeat.

Most prenatals take about 15 to 20 minutes when there aren’t any problems, but it can last much longer depending on complications. I can’t wait until I am able to start doing what are called continuities. There are too many women that come through the clinic for each one of them to have their own midwife, but we are required to do a certain number of continuities which means I would be one lady’s midwife, and do all her prenatals and labor and birth and baby check ups. That is the way I am hoping to really get to know the women.

Island Day Trip (1/10)

2006-10-06T04:58:00.000-07:00

Our Group of Gals
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Last Saturday a bunch of us girls had a free day, so we thought we would go out and do something fun. In Bloomington, MN when I think to do something fun, it usually involves going to an expensive movie ($7) or getting an expensive cup of coffee ($4). The group of girls from left to right: Me (Jenny), Laura, Sarah, Lois, Jenna, Charity and Starla.

Here, we do so much more with so much less, but to hear about all our adventures of the day, you will need to read on…

Island Day Trip (2/10)

2006-10-06T04:57:00.000-07:00

And We're Off!
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

So, we hopped on a ferry boat, and went across a bit of the ocean to get to a small island, not known much to foreigners so it was unspoiled with it’s natural beauty still intact. Then, we all jumped on motorcycles. Since there was an odd number of us, one bike had 3 girls plus a driver and the other two each held 2 girls and a driver. We rotated, and I actually didn’t ride on the same bike twice!

Don’t worry, I know I look like a tourist, but living in the city, I try so hard to blend in (hah!) so when we get away, we pull out the cameras and go at it! And, my friend Lois behind me? Don’t worry. She isn’t in pain, she just can’t really make a serious face well! I love her for it.

We hired these drivers to take us all around the island, and they sure knew where to take us to have a good time! We paid them P500 each, which with 2 or 3 of us on the bike ended up costing roughly $4 each.

Island Day Trip (3/10)

2006-10-06T04:52:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Coconut Trees
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

I think the scenery on this island was absolutely magnificent. Coconut trees as tall as you please, and ocean here and there. We had our share of bumpy dirt roads, steep hills, and smooth roads.

Island Day Trip (4/10)

2006-10-06T04:50:00.000-07:00

Bat Cave 4
Originally uploaded by Missionary Midwife.

Our first stop was the bat caves. Yes, you heard right. We willingly paid about 50 cents each to enter into the largest natural bat caves in the world. I had no idea those bats could be so loud! I was just glad it was during the day, so they weren’t much interested in leaving the cave, but it sure was fascinating!