A Birthday Baby

Yes today is my birthday, a couple day's ago was my sister's birthday- Rebecca.

After shift endorsements yesterday there was a labor for me- Maricel Lu-ang
She was 21yo G1P0 40 4/7 weeks etc, normal vitals...contractions only about 30 sec long every 4-7 min-moderate in strength. Those are the signs of a woman in early labor.
I asked her when her labor started- only a couple hours ago at 4 am- with her water breaking at 5... hmmm I did the math and was raised my eyebrows slightly in concern over these developments and the fact that she had been measuring a very small fundal hight throughout her prenatals as well as lost a kg in the past few weeks. She did not look very healthy- but handled her contractions quietly.

I did an IE at 6:50am;
definatly BOW rupture, 4 cm's dilated, 70% effaced, +1 station, sutures felt 10-3
Pretty normal and all things considered- she was making great progress!

I left her with some instructions to stimulate labor a bit and drink water etc and went out... chatted with my super visor (Krys) and decided to do the next vitals check at 7:20 am

Just before that mark I make my way back to the cubicle...am just about to open the curtain to the absolutely silent little square of space when her aunt (who was watching her)
sticks her head out with a look of concern- no noise- just concern.

I walk in and she is on the bed with the baby is CROWNING

This is what the other midwives hear in the lounge- " OH GOSH.... UH, HEAD COMING.... NO GLOVES.... I..... !!!!!"


So I caught the baby's head without gloves on as a few other midwives pour into the room-
Krys looks at me like I've just committed a murder.... (considering my bloody hands it certainly looked like it) and told me to go wash my hands right away. I proceed with the fastest hand washing in the history of the world- afraid I'm going to miss everything- and run back in time to watch Jen Germain unstick the shoulders and get in there to catch the body.

Me and blood are not through yet- at the one minute APGAR score I reach in to check out the baby who is crying on her mom's abdomen at the same time as Jen reaches in to fix the bb blanket- oh sweet collision: she manages to connect her hand to my head and wipes blood all over one side of my face!

:O
I just started laughing
what a gong show...
Krys had a look of shock on her face and did not make me go wash mine...she wiped me up and I waited for the placenta.

Later the mother and aunt asked me to suggest a biblical name for the new little one... and Rebecca stuck! So here, my dear sister- is the best present I can give you... a little rascal to run around with your name.

A new beginning; Janelle back in the Philippines

Sacrifice and Offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced...
Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-
it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will O my God;
your law is in my heart....
I do not seal my lips, as you know , O Lord.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord;
May your love and your truth always protect me. Psalm 40:6-11

Davao is just as colourful as it has always been, even more so perhaps- as there are new faces here at Mercy. A fresh class; 11 beautiful women eager to hold life in their hands. We are kept well here.

Since my return the motion has been unbroken- but under every activity is the sweetness of His call. Knowing; resting, in His plans for me. He is perfect.

In the activity of days my mind has been on a hundred dreams, a thousand hopes for this year- and the eagerness to see God work. Ah but in those thoughts I again discover the utter inadequacy of my reach and so through the fluttering I am forced to settle a hundred ideals on one single desire; God.

Desiring God in every cranny of mind, and corner of action, and crevice of word. Thirsting after Him to the point of unsettledness and yet allowing him to settle me in everything. I almost feel as though I must learn how to seek all over again- how precious and desirable He is! It awes me at every turn. For those who thirst Jesus always has one word; Come.

"Come, all you who are thirsty, Come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come buy eat" Isaiah 55: 1
"If anyone is Thirsty let him Come to me and drink" John 7:37
"Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes,
let him take freely from the water of life." Revelation 22:17
What wondrous love is this?! I will come.