Birthing in the 3rd world

June 16, 2012

Triplet birth: At the end there were 3!



Translation of: Parto de trillizos: ¡Al final fueron tres! de MundoBebe

"This is a history of disagreements between nature and technology starting on Thursday May 6, 1999 at 6 and 30 am, at the Hospital Alvariza of the city of San Carlos. (Uruguay)

I was in the guard room when the nurse tells me that a pregnant woman, Alicia Diaz, carrying twins, was consulting by contractions.

I immediately went to the clinic where the patient tells me she had been with irregular contractions all night. That morning she had to pick up an abdominal x-ray that the doctor had ordered, since they didn’t know if she was 32 or 36 weeks of gestation. There was no coincidence between the date of her LMP and the ultrasound, so the x-ray would determine the gestational age of the infants.

Alicia spoke quietly and slowly, without hiding the discomfort caused by contractions.

I proceeded to do the pelvic examination, and for my surprise I see that the dilation was complete and my fingers touched a tiny foot ...

I called by phone the gynecologist and pediatrician, while we move the lady to the delivery room.

At 7.20 John was born weighing 2000 g., At 7.30 Gustavo was born weighing 2400 g. Both were born in the footling breech position (Feet came first).

We performed the Capurro test to confirm gestational age, which was 36 weeks.

The delivery room was full with joy and laughter as everything had gone well: children enjoyed great vitality and the mother was happy with her two boys. As everything had passed so quickly, neither the gynecologist nor the pediatrician arrived in time for delivery. After attending both births I got ready to attend the delivery of the placenta.

When I examine the lady, I am struck by the size of her remaining stomach, and this time my fingers hit a head...

"There is another one" is what I managed to say. Immediately the reactions of those who were in the delivery room were most diverse: the nurses thought it was a joke, the mother asked for an ultrasound...

A few minutes later Alfredo pocked his head as if to ask why the fuss.

He had mocked ultrasound unwilling to show himself until the last minute. He was as vital as his brothers and weighed 2050 grams.

I wanted to share with you this life experience, unforgettable for all who were there and meditate about the wisdom of nature. Sometimes we do not let her take her course for our lack of patience.

I thank the nurses who assisted the birth, and a special thanks to Alicia, her calm eyes and unhurried voice gave me the opportunity to help her bring three babies to this world."

Elizabeth Hegedus
Midwife

May 31, 2012

Born at 27 weeks and survived


Maia is the first baby in Uruguay, who survived at only 27 weeks of gestation. She was born with only 460 grams and 30 cm long, in an ambulance, while her mother of 18, was transferred from the Department of “Durazno” to a maternity in “Montevideo”.

She was hospitalized for almost three months, and doctors suggested that parents apply the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Method (http://www.kangaroomothercare.com/). This method has three pillars: Skin to skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding, and support the dyad mother-baby without separating them.

Three months later and two kilos of weight Maia is with his family in “Durazno”, breathing by herself, and starting breastfeeding by suction

"It wasn´t nice to live but thank God the baby is divine, everything went well," the girl's father told.

If you want to read more: Subrayado, ElAcontecer

May 29, 2012

The story of a pregnant stowaway


Israel Onugha came to Uruguay about 5 years ago as a stowaway on a ship that left Nigeria with four other Nigerians. At that time he was just 18. He dreamed of a better future and study somewhere where they have better opportunities than Nigeria. They were discovered at sea and delivered to the authorities in Montevideo, where the ship finally made port. At that time, shelters and social organizations managed to start the process of residence, which he never ended.Sally Arewa left Nigeria about three years ago, she was suffering religious persecution because she had converted to Catholicism. She managed to raise some money for the plane ticket and came to Uruguay as a tourist. Of course, undocumented, without work, without knowing the language and without any reference contact.Soon after they met in Montevideo, she realized she was pregnant. Very frustrated they went to Brazil looking forward for a better job, and thinking that in a much larger country they would be luckier.
In Brazil, everything got worse. None of the two had documents and so they were unable to find work or housing. They had a long time of great difficulty and poor feeding. Sadly their baby died shortly after birth.Soon they discovered she was pregnant again and decided to return to Uruguay. But since they arrived nothing has been easy.They went for birth control and met Sylvia, a midwife from "NacerMejor". This is how this story came to light.One of the times they went for birth control, Sylvia found out they had been eaten just bread and water for 3 days. 

 
Every effort is being made to help them get residence papers, so they could use social benefits. Right now every help is welcome.

You can learn more of Sally and Israel situation on NacerMejor Facebook.