The staff at the Maternity center unanimously agrees, we love our jobs. We love the vision and mission of the Maternity Center. We adore the women we work with. We are in the trenches together and our bond is one that can only be formed by the deep knowing of what is at stake each time we enter that birth room.
Practicing midwifery in a country where giving birth results in more maternal (and infant) death than any other country in our hemisphere - means practicing acutely aware of the possibilities and even more aware of our need for provision.
When thing get tense in the birth room, whether it be a stuck shoulder, a floppy baby, a hemorrhage, or the threat of a seizure, the language in the room changes. Prayers are quietly uttered, usually simultaneously.
"Jesus, bring this baby out."
"God, help us."
"Breathe baby, BREATHE."
"Make this placenta come"
"Please stop the bleeding"
Of course all sorts of actions are happening along with the prayers, but the prayers are a love language and the moments are holy.
