Well I am 13 hours of ahead of the States, but somehow manage to stay behind in proper communication. I've still got Christmas thank you cards I'm waiting to make.
But this post isn't meant to be full of excuses. Let me 'show' you some of my recent life happenings.
Close-up of Durian. The smelly, sweet, custard consistency garlic-tinged delight of most Filipinos.
Impromptu Durian/Coke party
Valentine's Day love {My husband and our cats, Reese the compulsive licker & Mo}
I am more acutely aware of my shortcomings recently.
I try to speak the truth but sometimes seem to be short on love. I'm trying to balance personal life, long-distance family life, academic & midwifery life all at once. And guess what, I'm incapable. I can't fix people. Sure I can give meds, suture a tear, massage a fundus-but I can't erase the hurts that ooze from people's souls. I can't even ease the pain in my own life.
Ok, where was I going with this?
I've had some recent continuity-of-care clients. It's a joy, pleasure and stretching experience for me to pour so much of myself into one individual. It's exciting and nerve-wracking and the hallmark of midwifery. {This is where I do a pregnant client's prenatals, am on-call for their labor/birth & do all postpartum visits.} I consider it a privilege to enter in a woman's life in this manner.
But why is it so hard for me?
I'm a people person-I may not be your best friend, but if you're in my care I'm gonna help ya to the best of my ability. I'm used to shift work 8 hrs on...16 hrs off. And here that 16 hrs off is NOT just sleeping & hobbies...it's filled with ADLs {activities of daily living}, extensive academic work, classes & self-reflection.
So, being on-call with such a limited schedule sorta puts me 'on edge'. And I try to lay down my 'self' mentality. Sure, I want my cont to deliver at Mercy--I need a certain amount for my requirements here. But, ya know it is NOT about me. I ultimately want momma & baby to be healthy and ok. Whether that's at the birth center or transfer of care to the hospital, long or short labor etc.
Just yesterday my cont Juliebe texted me letting me know her contractions had started. This was my 1st client I'd taken that was a G1 {pregnant for the 1st time}. My other ones had been having their 2nd, 3rd or 4th child--so recognizing signs of labor was much easier. I was just home from Day shift where I had a birth. I had showered, was browsing the internet & loading up on food-all the while texting-trying to gauge where she was at in her labor.
Long story short--She arrived to the clinic in active labor about 8cm dilated cervix. Which was a blessing because they live 30-40 min away & transportation is difficult to get at night. But active labor = staying at Mercy. :) Her husband was her labor companion. {An added bonus because he works/lives in another city and had just arrived back home yesterday.}
Juliebe gave birth later that evening 11:26pm. About 1 hour of intense pushing with lots of position changes. (Hands & Knees position, Supported squat, hip swaying, left side-lying). Poor momma was tired from working her regular Sat & then having labor start around 1pm. She mustered up strength and with sterile gel lubing the birth canal gave birth to a handsome baby boy. He cried immediately after his head, legs still coming! As if to say, "what took ya so long" :)
How I was blessed: Juliebe arrived to the clinic 8 cm dilated, her husband got to see their 1st baby be born, no shift the day after, mom & baby were fine, minor perineal tear, manageable blood loss.~I am speechless at how God works out all the little details in my life, each day. Better than all the plans I try to make.
"To humans belong the plans of the heart,but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them,but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.The LORD works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster." Proverbs 16: 1-4
Cont Juliebe's birth {right} and Day shift birth {left}
2 babies for me in 1 day!
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