"PARTO!!!"

Today I went to SotoMayor, the “baby factory.” It was amazing and I loved it! All the women labor in one room (unless they are “high risk”). Their families are not allowed to come in. The woman labors alone, yet is surrounded by dozens of other women. They labor and then when fully dilated or basically crowning, the doctors scream, “Parto!” (Birth) and rush the expectant mom into the delivery room. The delivery room looks like a dental office. It is just a line of “delivery beds” – which look more like dental chairs with stirrups. Everyone gets a routine episiotomy – a huge medial lateral. That made me ticked and sickened! VERY few people actually benefit from them.
The babies stole my heart. There were dozens of them! They line the walls of the nursery in little cubby-like crates. I love their dark haired heads! I guess latino babies get hair all over the rest of their bodies – even if they aren’t pre-mature! They reminded me of little monkeys. I felt SO much more useful! I did some newborn assessments and just snuggled a few babies.
However, the majority of my time was spent providing labor support. Like I said, these women labor alone. I was in the high risk room. One of my moms, Gabriella, was only 16 years old. She was terrified. I helped with counter pressure and helped couch her through birth. I had to bite my tongue – the doctor kept telling her that crying hurt the baby and that she really wasn’t in that much pain. “Yeah, right!” I thought to myself. She clung to me and I just held her and we breathed together through her pain. She would scream that she couldn’t do it anymore and I got very good at saying “si su puedo” and respirar profundo.” I thought her fingernails would break my skin. However, she delivered a beautiful baby boy! Of course, they wisked the baby away dangling from its ankles. I went into the nursery and took a picture of the baby for Gabriella. She kissed me and cried. It was one of the most fabulous moments I have experienced. I felt like I had really been there for her when she needed me most. She was so strong and taught me courage, perseverance, and gratitude. I don’t know what will happen to Gabriella or her baby, but for that time during birth, we experienced something wonderful.
I went into surgery with Raquele. It was her first baby – a wonderful baby boy! Her excitement was contagious. She was having a cesarean because she said her pelvis was too small. The surgery was mostly the same as in the states – except I felt like I played dad and held her, flopped over me during her epidural. I just sat with her and talked a little bit during the surgery. It was another great experience.
Wendi was my last mom. I wasn’t able to be there during birth, but helped her during the process. Her baby was posterior so the counter pressure was really helpful. I finally found a cool towel for her forehead. They do very few epidurals down here and the doctors usually only give them to quiet the patients. It’s either an epidural, or a pad shoved in their mouths…
It was yet another interesting clinical, yet a great experience.
We did another health fair which was super fun. I did blood pressures and blood glucose levels. It was perfect for me because I still can’t hold more than a 2min conversation. So I could small talk a bit and move on to the next person in line. It’s funny – there were only 15 people there at first and with-in the first hour, our turn out tripled. I don’t know how many were there by the end, but it was packed. Arriving fashionably late is very fashionable down here . They fed us in appreciation. It was actually really good this time.
The party really started when we went to the Institute dance! Woohoo! Their hips don’t lie! It is amazing – EVERYONE dances down here and they’re ALL really good. Dance is part of their way of life. I LOVE it! I loved learning Latin dances. Really – I am jealous – I wish our dances were as fun as theirs! So, in the states, we group together in big circles and groove. They form lines across from each other and dance! Oh, and yes mom – they ALL “shimmie” down here on the equator – even at church dances!
When we first arrived it was a little awkward – a bunch of gringas, not really knowing anyone, who danced really weird. But, by the end, perceptions changed. Gradually things became less different and we all just danced together! Although I was once again covered in sweat, I had a riot!