tales of a MIDwife..

Update from the birthroom - we had [surPRISE] TWINS born at the clinic last April 16th. It was during a dayshift that the unknowing patient came to the clinic already in active labour, and ready to push! Naomi, a first year student, quickly got things together to facilitate the birth. Krys was supervising at the time, with Ate Elsa assisting. The mother had a normal size tummy for a pregnant, full term baby - there weren't any signs that would lead one to suspect a multiple pregnancy. I had even done one of her prenatals, a few months back but couldn't determine the position of the baby (nOW i know wHY!). THe first baby slipped out weighing 5lbs. 5oz... when the patient's stomach still looked pregnant, Krys checked with the Doppler for another set of fetal heart tones inside, and sure enOUGH, another baby was waiting to be frEE! Krys ran to get another filipina supervisor while Ate Elsa double-clamped and cut the cord of the first baby. THe mother pushed again and the second baby fell out, weighing a mere 3lbs. 5oz. [both baby's were born in the caul]. THANKfully, everything went ok - the mom DID have to be transported after a few hours due to continuing bleeding but she got to spend time with her babies first and also Naomi was there to care for them. They hung around the clinic for almost a wEEK while their mom was in the hospital! - basically FAMOUS in Mercy circles, we started calling them bean-sprout and sweet-pea =) ...so thEN the mom gets out of the hospital and her and her husband pick the names Swheety and Cuttie (pronounced like sweety and cutie) for her two new daughters. GOODNESS! hahaha, what fun we have here in the phils!
It's a crazy feeling to hold something tHIS small and fragile. But, they are both thriving (thanks to a little wet-nurse action from Naomi and the love and care everyone has been showing to them). The family is now at home with their TWINS, and Naomi is going thERE for baby check ups, instead of having the mom pack everyone up to come to the clinic! But SERIOusly, as a midwife, you wait and wait and wAIt for the chance to see something like this...and i miSSed it! Sayang!