Babies!

I witnessed my first birth today... and it was not pretty! The patients were lined up in the labor room in beds 1-19. There were 3 midwives (2 from the US, 1 from Uganda) and there was 1 nurse. The women would come into the room, have their babies and leave as long as there are no complications.  No pain medications are given to those with normal births, an oxytocin injection is given after.  First I saw a 16 year old get examined for her centimeters dilated- this made me feel faint! I had to take a few steps back and talk myself into continuing.  I was determined to see a baby being born! I hung out in the labor room for about an hour, once it was time for my group to go to lunch, 3 or more women were ready to give birth.  I was a little late to lunch but I made it through the experience of a lifetime! I was a little anxious at first but once the baby came out and was crying I was all smiles!

P.S. The pizza in Africa is delicious!!