A beautiful Day

We had yet another really exciting day when a long term patient of our gave birth to a healthy little girl.

Regina was pregnant for the 5^th time and as yet had not had a live baby. She has been an inpatient for about 2 months. It had been a very anxious time for her and for us too as health professionals as we so desperately wanted her to have a happy ending this time.

After a failed Induction  - she really wanted a vaginal birth, she went to theatre for a C/S. A beautiful little girl called Ebeneezer was born.

It was a great day of celebration all round.

Mum and Daughter having their first cuddle

The other patients were so so lovely. Jennifer Maria her neighbour in the ward prepared her bed for her to come back to post C/S. Also she acted as Fairy Godmother cuddling the little girl while her Mum was still in theatre.

Fairy Godmother Jennifer Maria so deligted with her new role!

Fatuma, another long term patient who has become the Matron of the ward went out to buy soda’s for all the patients to celebrate. Fatuma made me laugh the other day when I went into the ward to give medication and she was giving me strict instructions on who needed what and who was where! Also as us Midwives are chatting about things at the nurses station she is often there to make her contribution.

I just love the Sisterhood in the ward. The way they all get to know each other and seem to share so many of their joys and sorrows. As you escort a lady back to the ward after she has delivered, there are so often many “Hongera’s “around, celebrating the wonderful achievement.

Regina has again been such a reminder to me of the pain for woman who are childless in Tanzania. She speaks about how the community stigmatise and judge you.

When I checked with her if she needed some pain relief the day after her C/S . She was very firm in telling me she was too happy to feel any pain.

Wishing her and Ebeneezer many years of great joy.