Last day shift at the clinic
I did my last 24 hour shift around the full moon. Ya know I had tried to determine if the moon had any impact on women going into labor here in the states but couldn't find any real pattern. In Bali it was easy. New moon: quiet; Full moon: babies popping out everywhere! I am sure it has to do with the artificial light so ubiquitous in the western world -as opposed to the very little light and outside stimulus in the villages that our mommas were coming from. And I am curious if the fact that they have a ceremony and give offerings for every new and full moon - every Balinese person, not just the women, has anything to do with it.
So anyways, I arrived at the clinic at 9 am to 3 women in labor, 2 women with PROM ( premature rupture of membranes, aka broken waters) and a brand new babe with a momma needing to be sutured. Robin put me to work stitching her straightforward 2nd degree tear with Olivia generously staying on from her 24 hour shift to assist me. Although we only got to work together a few times Olivia was and is a blessing to midwifery and definitely to me! We had known each other vaguely from the bay area and it was fabulous to attend births with her. It was especially helpful to have her assist me in suturing because we were around the same level with our skills- as opposed to challenges I had had with other volunteers telling me I was doing great when they had no clue, the Balinese midwives and I struggling with language barriers and different techniques, and more experienced midwives who I was very grateful too but definitely pushed my anxiety buttons. As soon as I had finished I moved over to the next momma, admired her new babe that Robin had just caught and repaired her first degree tear.
On to the next moms of the day. Like I said, the clinic was busy, and everyone worked hard and long helping 3 more babies be born. One woman was soft and gentle, another was loud, exhausted, and so ready to escape from giving birth. I was grateful to have a translator in the room and coach her through it, as well as make sure she didn't faint on me! She did well but it took at least a few hours before she could smile at her baby- she was 21 years old and shocked by the power of birth. I get it- birth is no small thing! I think it was about 5 pm when we finally ate lunch. The evening was busy but there was still time for Robin to get on the internet and forward us all an email chain letter prayer of St. Theresa : ).
