Baby # 7!!

It's 4am, and I am sleeeeepy, but. I just wanted to let you all know that I caught baby #7!!!

She and her mama are so sweet :) Now I need to get them settled in postpartum and maybe get a little nap in before shift change. I will post pics as soon as I can...yawn!

The Badjao

The last couple of days have been pretty quiet so I think I'll tell you a little about some of our clientele. They are called the Badjao, but we sometimes lovingly call them "Goodjao". They are sea gypsies, some nomadic, and some live in these huts-on-stilts over the water. This particular family has a long tradition of diving for pearls, and he and his father make them into jewelry. Some are cultured, some are not. All of them are real and beautiful!!! This shell has several uncultured pearls embedded in it. There are pearls sold EVERYWHERE here for crazy low prices, but it's way more fun to buy them from our Goodjao.

A very productive day!!

Today started out with a lovely brunch with one of my Supervisors, Erin. It was the most fun I've ever had doing paperwork!! We drank iced coffee, and completed the forms and evaluations for my first 5 births.

I went straight from that to swing shift. When I arrived, there was a labor waiting for me, that seemed to have a ways to go. She just kept smiling away, but wanted to be checked. She was 10cm but had a lip of cervix, so I told her to keep breathing through contractions. About an hour later she started pushing, and had her baby out in 30 min (first time mom!).

So that's baby # 6!!! 5lbs 8oz...So cute!!

Still, she just kept on smiling:) The only time she stopped smiling was when she had to be sutured. Not fun for anyone, but it was my first opportunity do it! It was more complicated than we had thought upon the first evaluation, but I did just fine.

Now it's nearly midnight, and I should really go to sleep!

Hugs!!!

Baby #4 and baby #5 pics!!!

Yay! I now have 5 catches!!! Another very smooth delivery, even though the mom had a heart-shaped uterus!! Now I'm off to the air con (air conditioned room with black-out shades) to get some much needed sleep. :)

Fun times!

Today was the day that the last of the second year students left for home. I only knew them for two (really intense) weeks, but they had a pretty big impact on me. Big hearts and gentle spirits.

They wanted to have a "buntis dance party" before they left (buntis = pregnant), so if you wanted to come you had to dress up 38 weeks+ buntis! It was hilarious and we all had a blast!!!! I was the only one in this crew who had actually ever been

"buntis" :) We walked down to the clinic so the girls on shift could join in the fun (it was a very slow night).

This sign is so random, I had to toss it in. It was on the window at the pharmacy.

I am just fine :)

First of all, I want to apologize for not posting for so long. This week has been full of Night shifts, and the second year students are leaving. So, there have been lots of events and holes to fill in the time where I'm not catching up on sleep. The girls that live in this house are truly a blessing, I will miss them when they go.

We have not noticed any typhoons or earthquakes here at the clinic (we are pretty far south from the earthquake). We have had some internet trouble, however, which has been a major contributor to the lack of communication (especially yesterday).

The last 2 days I wanted to post that I caught baby #4!!! It went very well, and I will see her for a postpartum/baby check today!!

My bana says that I need to start posting more often again...people are starting to worry :) He is so sweet! So that is exactly what I will do, provided the internet holds up.

I love and miss you all!

Baby J and misc.

Even when there are no babies to catch, there is plenty to do! There are always mama's and babies to take care of, rooms to prep, supplies to organize... and if those things are done, friends to get to know better!!!

Went to DMC again to find Baby J... another wild goose chase! At least he wasn't in the ER anymore, but he was tucked into another crowded corner. He and his mom were sharing a cot-like bed with another mom and baby, but at least it had a cushion! Still had an umbilical IV, but not O2. his mom still didn't know what the problem is, but it seems like the worst is over for now.