Tough Delivery

Yesterday a woman named Mirium came to the clinic to deliver her first baby. She was there all day and Margaret (the nurse/midwife) was concerned because the baby was not progressing. Mirium was dialeted at 10 centimeters for a long time, but the head would not drop. In the evening, Suzy and I went to the clinic to check on Dorothy (an employee who came with contractions) and we ended up helping Margaret with Mirium. She had been in labor all day and was exhausted. We did everything we could to encourage her to push. Suzy helped Margaret "down there" while I stayed near Mirium's head. Mirium didn't have anything to grab on to so she would bear hug whoever was near her. I went several rounds in a vice grip, check to cheek, yelling "chol!" (push!). We tried different positions with her, but still the baby would not come. It was very scary. We weren't sure what the problem was. Margaret decided to do an episiotomy. Due to superstitions, the Sudanese are very reluctant to do that, but we had no choice. Finally the baby moved a little. The head was partially out for a long time and we had to tell Mirium it was imperative she pushed. As her vice grip weakened, I was worried she didn't have the strength to push the baby out. We were begging with her to push and praying God would help this baby come. Sudan has the highest infant mortality rate in the world and we didn't want anything to happen to this baby. After many pushes, Mirium's son made his appearance at last. He was three kilos (about 6.6 pounds) and healthy. He also had the biggest conehead I have ever seen! Mirium was so tiny that she almost couldn't deliver him. Margaret assured me his head will not stay like that! Praise the Lord that Mom and baby are doing well today and have headed home.

One funny thing happened during the delivery. Awad came back from Wau and came to the clinic to give me his "office" (an envelope with money and receipts). I tried to tell him I was busy, but he wanted to give it to me anyway. Suzy then said "you want to give Stacie the money, then you come deliver the baby!" Awad responded by saying "no, I am tired tonight, I will give the money to Sabet." Suzy was trying to get him out of there, but he seriously thought we were asking for his help! It was the first time he didn't say "no problem!"

Side note: Dorothy went home. We think it was false labor.



(Suzy with the baby)