She wanted to have a rest and came back inside to sit down. They checked her again and had me check her. Again I am no good at this part. I must need much more practice. Aparantly she was 9 centimeters. Shortly after this she expressed a desire to eat something so her friend went off to find some food. When it arrived she sat down to have a snack.
After that she was tired again and wanted to go in and lie down. She was told she need to walk to get her contractions going. They were coming, but not real close together. Like any first time mother, she did not want them closer together or to feel any more pain. But she was very brave.
Here sit the three midwives/nurses waiting for things to progress... When she got so tired she had to lie down, they hooked her up to an IV and gave her some pitocin to make the contractions come along faster.
Here came the difficult part of the delivery for me. As we had checked her the nurse commented on her circumcision. It is very common practice here in Mali for a girl to be circumcised in her childhood. Unfortunately for this girl, she was sewn up too small to allow for this baby to be born. As the baby began to crown the midwifes had to perform an episiotomy to allow the baby through. This makes me so sad. It is a very traumatic experience when a girl gets circumcised, and now in childbirth it becomes more traumatic again because of this. There was no anisthetic used to aid in pain relief either.
A healthy girl was born around 6:30pm. I asked them what the sex was so that the mom could hear. Then after the baby was weighed and left on the scale, I asked if I could hold her. I took her over the the mom and showed her beautiful baby to her. That part gave me great joy.
Pray for me as I plan to talk to the midwives about working on educating their patients about the negative effects of female circumcision.
6 comments:
Heidi, Have you read "Monique and the Mango rains"? I will add it to your ever growing package pile : )
Female mutilation is so sad and unecessary! I will pray for you as you broach this subject with these women!!!!
I have not read that book Crystal... I would love to... maybe you should just hand deliver your package?! :) When do you get here? We are thinking of being in Bamako for the 4th of July...
Heidi, I can see you bringing peace, joy and happiness to those women having children there. You seem to project it all by yourself. I hope & pray you are able to meet and influence specific people who run those clinics, who will be open to ideas you will have to make birthing more special and the clinics attractive and safe. It sounds like a wonderful ministry could be shaping up for you. It seems God has put that in your heart for a reason! Praying for you always, Marilyn ♥
Wow Heidi . . . glad to hear it was a 'better' experience than the first time . . . but so sad to hear about the circumcision. When we were in France I saw a great film called Desert Flower . . . I don't think it's available in the US yet, but if you can ever get your hands on a copy it is well worth it . . . sad, but true. It's a great film.
Yes, Desert Flower. you need to watch it. deb sent us on a date night to see this in France and it was a very well done and informative film...and a serious tear jerker. i am so happy that you are taking part in speaking light into this dark and painful custom.
Heidi, my heart is breaking. Today, my heart is heavy for these precious women and their children. Today, my heart rejoices that your family was faithful to God's calling. Thank you, for holding that sweet baby girl and bringing her over to her mama. Praying for you as you await opportunities to speak to the midwives. Love to you and your family.
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