Leaving Nepal

It is with a heavy heart that I leave Nepal.  But it also feels that it is time for me to return home.  My purpose here is complete and I go forward with new knowledge and inspiration in the work we will be doing both in Nepal and globally.

Internet continues to be scarce and lately electricity too.  I probably won’t be able to post my last few posts until I return.  I have had several nights in the pitch black, hot and sweaty, no phone or internet – and it was perfect just listening to the rain.

My last full day here was spent in meetings and discussions.  All of it was productive, and most of it was fun as well.

MIDSON took me to another birth center that they are involved with.  It is at the teaching hospital (TUTH) and is sponsored by MIDSON and set up by them with the Royal College of Midwives during their twinning period.  I was impressed.  In the last 8 months they have had 100 births (we arrived soon after the 100^th baby was born) and more and more women are hearing about it and opting to go there.  The transfer rate from their birth center to the labor and delivery ward was much, much higher than it should be, but given the minimal training these nurses have, it was still impressive and no doubt will improve as they gain experience and confidence.

The labor and delivery ward was just like the others I reported – approximately 7500 births/year and a >45% cesarean rate.  Women were alone and it was disheartening.  I will not post more photos of that as it wasn't any different than the others.

Birth center statistics

During my meeting with MIDSON, Shrzya, one of the nurses who works tirelessly for them in many projects including the setting up of their new clinic, henna’d my hands.  She is so talented and created a beautiful design that flows from one hand to the other when I hold them just so.  What a treat for my last night here.

I was able to meet again with Global Orphan Prevention and discuss their work.  Their relationship with MIDSON is one of the few reasons that …..With MIDSONs guidance they are able to go to the hardest hit areas and provide stable but temporary structures to replace the destroyed clinics and birth centers.

Through the funds Midwife Pilgrim was able to raise as well as advise on, I am grateful to report we were able to guarantee  one village health center will be constructed and in service until a permanent structure can be built. In addition, much needed supplies to ensure the health of new mothers and babies will be distributed.  Having gone to the market and witnessing these supplies being purchased as well as the generous donations of not only money but supplies and diapers that I brought, I know first hand that these will all be put to good use.  Hand to hand we help one another.

Midwife Pilgrim funds provided this particular project

Just an inkling of the amount of work it takes to get to the villages

In meeting with MIDSON we have developed projects that will place Pilgrim midwives in high volume areas to mentor and teach the maternity providers there. They will assist in all aspects of care as well as ensure daily topics are covered for review and practice.  In addition, in the more rural areas we hope to offer trainings to as many health centers/birth centers as we will are able.  With our staff and MIDSONs support we are hopeful that we can improve the quality of services to women in rural areas.  These women are among the most impoverished with little options for care due to geographical and economical realities.

My time with Dhindup was also valuable and one I will treasure forever.   It is so sweet to know that even after 14 years friendships can be strong and the bond unbreakable – as it is with Chomo and Karma.

My serendipitous meeting with Karen Hays will no doubt prove to be fruitful.  She has graciously given us permission to use the work she has already done doing a similar project with the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), and together we discussed much of future needs.

A reposting but there are few of us together because we took the photos