Saturday, July 05, 2014

a walk, a birth, a saturday in ayiti




Some of the things (in no particular order) the women hear in Prenatal class are: 1) Drink water drink water, drink more water  2) take your vitamins and iron daily 3) when you are in labor, walking will help you progress 4) nurse your baby right away and after that nurse often.

Jacqueline, a mom expecting her fourth child, said that last night her pain seemed false. She went to bed and slept through the night. This morning she woke up and quickly realized that the pain she was feeling was no longer false. She didn't have any money to take a tap-tap so she started walking toward the Maternity Center. She walked for what she guesses was 45 to 60 minutes and arrived to the Maternity Center almost ready to push. Her 7 pound daughter was born 15 minutes after she arrived. 

When Beth Johnson commented on how fast it all went she said, "Yes, I walked!"

Tonight Jacqueline and her daughter are resting, recovering, and getting to know one another at the Heartline Maternity Center.