More from YBS...

So I started a post earlier to fill you in on the latest, however the electricity went out! The computer I was on shut down and then a family came in with a feverish/fluish kiddo, so I watched the local midwives treat the little guy. Anyway, here I am again. I think I left off by saying that it looked like we might have another three baby day. Well, we had a four baby day and then we had a two baby day right after that! So, needless to say I got a bit distracted. Now here we are. I had a nice evening last night, out to dinner with some of the other volunteers. Then this morning my co-volunteer Meredith, a chiropractor, and I went to Cantika, a "spa" where we were treated to massages and hair and scalp treatments with homemade lotions and potions. It was a much needed get away, really the only significant trip away from the clinic since my second day here! So now I am hunkering down for the second half of my trip. My appetite is back with a vengeance so I have been enjoying local food again and cooking for myself with local goodies.
As for the above picture, some of you may recognize the tall black man in the middle. That's Michael Franti. If you don't know ho he is Google him...he's famous! Really he is an incredible singer/songwriter and an advocate and activist for human rights of all sorts. Also, he is a major supporter of YBS. He is apparently moving here and has taken up the cause of YBS. He recently did a promotional concert here and was shooting parts of a music video here at the clinic the other day. He really is a lovely guy and has access to a lot of money and resources that can benefit YBS. A great friend to have! So I had to put in this cute shot of him with some of the mothers from the clinic. That is Ibu Robin in the middle, the creator and director of YBS.
Here is a really nice photo of me attending a beautiful waterbirth. This was the baby I caught in the tub that ended up being a shoulder dystocia...sound familiar? She ended up having a tricky little labial tear that was reminiscent of a tear Bill and I struggled with last Fall in Colorado. It was awesome to see this same problem again and to be able to repair it well after seeing something similar before. Getting the skills honed is key!
As for now, we just received a new Ibu. She is 1cm dilated, light contractions, second baby, Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. She is hoping to have a vaginal birth this time after the hospital gave her a c-section for "failure to progress". Apparently, she didn't dilate past 3cm last time. But of course, we are skeptical. You just can't be sure what was going on last time and the assessment of the doctors at the hospital is always suspect around here!