Sometimes we have women who come in and are unable to give birth at the clinic due to a certain factor (like high blood pressure or not progressing fast enough) that put them into the "high risk" category. We then classify these women as "transports" because they are taken to the public hospital's OB/ER (yes, they have an Emergency Room specifically for pregnant women). Once there, we pass off communication to the doctor, tell our former patient goodbye, and then head back to the clinic. This is almost like a worst case scenario. In some instances, you have been with this patient for multiple hours trying to comfort her during the labor process, all the while forming this unique bond, only to have them whisked away to the hospital for some unforeseen problem. No longer are you able to see the mixed emotions of joy and relief on the new mom's face as their precious child comes into the world. Instead, we have to settle for the anxious ride to the hospital, and the sad farewell in the OB/ER as you realize they will give birth without their family/husband/partner by their side (they are only allowed entry into the hospital after the baby is born and only during visiting hours). Finally, we have to deal with the unsettling feeling that you may not get a chance to find out what happens with the soon-to-be-mom unless she comes back to the clinic.
Another troubling aspect is realizing that this woman will not have the same exposure to the gospel if she would have stayed at the clinic. However, like many other times in my life God has been showing me how He works all situations out for His glory. With the ride over, God gives us the perfect opportunity to pray for the patient and their family and to share with them the peace that God brings. God helps us to remember the doctors and nurses who work 24 hour shifts at this hospital, who are probably still exhausted from their last shift. A few day ago, God showed us yet another means to continue the relationship with the women who we transfer.
A patient had to be transferred due to a recent illness that left her both dehydrated and too exhausted for pushing. It was difficult leaving this patient knowing that the hardest stage of labor was yet to come. For some reason, this patient weighed heavily on my heart and, after talking with several of the midwifery students, they informed me that we could go to the hospital during the visiting hours to the Post partum unit to meet up with the former patient. Kate and I decided to visit the unit the next day after our shift.
Once we arrived, we were directed to the Post partum unit. Nothing could have prepared us for the unit that consisted of a huge room housing 100+ beds with two women per bed. After the initial shock and roaming up and down the rows, we finally saw the patient we had transported the day before. Her eyes lit up and a huge smile spread across her face as soon as she saw us. She could not believe that someone from the clinic was visiting her and cared about her enough to follow up with how her labor went and how her baby was doing. After talking with her and the woman she was sharing a bed with, we said a prayer for both women and exchanged hugs. As we walked back through the rows of new moms, we realized God had shown us another way we could reach out to women and share His grace and His love.
-Jesse Anne
Please pray for the hospital here in Davao where we transport our patients and for the people who work there.
Pray for boldness as we continue to take steps to share the gospel
Another troubling aspect is realizing that this woman will not have the same exposure to the gospel if she would have stayed at the clinic. However, like many other times in my life God has been showing me how He works all situations out for His glory. With the ride over, God gives us the perfect opportunity to pray for the patient and their family and to share with them the peace that God brings. God helps us to remember the doctors and nurses who work 24 hour shifts at this hospital, who are probably still exhausted from their last shift. A few day ago, God showed us yet another means to continue the relationship with the women who we transfer.
A patient had to be transferred due to a recent illness that left her both dehydrated and too exhausted for pushing. It was difficult leaving this patient knowing that the hardest stage of labor was yet to come. For some reason, this patient weighed heavily on my heart and, after talking with several of the midwifery students, they informed me that we could go to the hospital during the visiting hours to the Post partum unit to meet up with the former patient. Kate and I decided to visit the unit the next day after our shift.
Once we arrived, we were directed to the Post partum unit. Nothing could have prepared us for the unit that consisted of a huge room housing 100+ beds with two women per bed. After the initial shock and roaming up and down the rows, we finally saw the patient we had transported the day before. Her eyes lit up and a huge smile spread across her face as soon as she saw us. She could not believe that someone from the clinic was visiting her and cared about her enough to follow up with how her labor went and how her baby was doing. After talking with her and the woman she was sharing a bed with, we said a prayer for both women and exchanged hugs. As we walked back through the rows of new moms, we realized God had shown us another way we could reach out to women and share His grace and His love.
-Jesse Anne
Please pray for the hospital here in Davao where we transport our patients and for the people who work there.
Pray for boldness as we continue to take steps to share the gospel