Pics of the Latest Here at YBS

Thought I would shoot some pics your way...Here is one of the beautiful young mamas I helped with her birth. She is just 16 years old! She had really flat nipples so I worked with her a bunch on good latch-on and getting nursing up and running. I was working with her the other night and I showed her how to hand express...she was amazed when little bubbles of colstrum starting coming out of her nipples. I don't think she thought there was anything in there at all. She is a natural. Her mother was right behind her, literally, during birth, holding her up on the bed. It was really sweet.
I named this one "happy family" because...they are!!! This mama was really working hard during labor. At one point she set up her "labor camp" right by the public bathroom near the kitchen area, complete with chairs and pillows and her support people because she had been told to walk around, but didn't want to walk anymore:) We finally got her into the tub for some relief and her husband got in too! This was so cute, he was down to his undies, very unusual for this area. I hope you can see the little onion that is placed above the right shoulder of the baby. This is to protect the baby from evil spirits because apparently evil spirits don't like the smell of onion! When the baby leaves the home the parents place an onion skin on the forehead, hands and feet to continue the protection away from the home. The mother/baby pair do not leave the family compound for 42 days post partum and the child is not to touch the ground for the first 150 days.

Mom really wanted to see my room...and I don't think I have yet showed a picture, so here it is. This is my bed. On either side are two other beds, my roomies. The ashram is really my second home, the clinic being my first. Today we had a very eventful day at the "ashy" as I lovingly call it. First, a dog, most likely and hopefully, peed in my duffle bag which I keep on the floor. He managed to soak several items. I think he is the neighbors dog, who basically roams the vicinity looking for trouble. So off to the laundry I go tomorrow. Then, this evening, I climbed the stairs to see blood splatter and bloody kitty paw prints all over the floor of our room. A cat had most likely hunted down a mouse, had its way with it, and then escaped via the balcony! Life in the great outdoors. There is an open access point to our stairway from a courtyard behind the ashy so it is an easy access for critters unfortunately. Tomorrow I think I will construct a barrier...this is too much!


Just got back from a birth...2nd time mom, no tears. Very interesting placenta. Parts of it were virtually undeveloped and most of the placenta was calcified, which often signifies that the placenta is old and is a poor transporter of nutrients. It was fortuitous that the baby was well developed, however he was a little small for his gestational age. On her chart her due date was supposedly May 26 but she couldn't remember when her last period was, so we were a big concerned that we were getting a preemie. However, the mama seemed to be at least 38 weeks, but with an old placenta that was deficient and a baby who was probably not getting all of the nutrition it needed. This baby is better off on the outside, where he can get lots of booby milk.
Here is a pic of locals in ceremony, a common occurence around here with the Hindu religion. This is the reason why we have had very few women at prenatal clinic the last few times. Every month there is a full moon ceremony that basically lasts a week. The people are in ceremony constantly, well, at least weekly. Thought you might like to see what "church" is like for them.
Right now we just turned away a first time mom who was having light contractions and was 0cm dilated...they live 5 minutes from the clinic. So cute, and very excited...but they need to rest. As you new mothers can attest to, resting in the early hours of labor is so important! Meanwhile, we await two first time mamas, pertama bayi as we say here..."first baby". I am hanging out in the office, catching up on e-mail stuff, blogging and joking around with the girls I work with, my birth assistants.

Here is the bucket brigade I mentioned earlier. We hauled a bunch of dirt that day. Fortunately, today it was busy at the clinic so I had to be at births rather than hauling dirt...ahhh, sweet reprieve. Here you go mom, you asked for pictures of me...how is this? Sorry!








Here is the open clinic I told you about earlier. I had to include this great photo of Endang demonstrating the use of the syringe as a douche of sorts to treat a yeast infection. The patient is receiving acupuncture as well.

OK that is all for now. I really need to sleep, it is going to be a long night. Two first time moms simmering at 2 cm...love to all.