2 baby girls last night

Well it has been awhile since I've posted because it has been super quiet for the past 2 weeks. Maybe the new moon in Capricorn, maybe the rain - who knows, but last night the action started up again and it was easy and joyous. Yes I know all the moms reading this know that it isn't quite fair for me to use the word easy, but as a midwife, it felt like the moms birthing last night were in the flow and it was sweet.

The first one spoke some english and we developed a rapport right away. Even though birth transcends language it is still so much easier to be able to communicate! So it was her 3rd baby and she wanted a water birth this time. It was the middle of the night and the Indonesian midwife was happy for me to do labor support and wake her when she was completely dilated and ready to push. I wish I had my camera because she ended up birthing her baby in the caul ( in the bag of waters ). It was gentle and smooth and soon mom and baby were happily in bed nursing.

The second mom came in ready to push! It was her 2nd baby and everything happened very fast. There was a tight cord around the baby's neck that we thought we might have to clamp and cut but she pushed and pushed and the baby was born with the cord. We easily unraveled the cord after birth and the baby started crying immediately ( which is a good sign of a healthy baby).

So both moms had baby girls, a disappointment in this interesting culture I have submersed myself in. Thankfully for these new babies, both moms had already had boys so they had fulfilled their duty to their families and could enjoy their little girls. I and the other volunteer midwives have all talked about how much this affects us and how we each cannot help but talk to these girls and tell them how special and important they are.

So there is a quick note from Bali. So much more to say about the clinic, the culture, life in general.

Soon I will write again but for now it is my day off and I am going to start it with a nap!