Mobile clinic

Today I was assigned to go out on a mobile clinic. The jeep is loaded with supplies 4 days a week and travels to one of 16 rural clinic sites. Each site is visited every 4 weeks. Between 30 and 130 women are seen each mobile clinic day. It is run by Haitian midwives who have graduated from the MFH program and supported by midwife volunteers. This picture is of the jeep being loaded before we left this morning.

Along the way, we were flagged down by a Haitian man: "a woman has just delivered and needs help with the delivery of the placenta" (rough translation). This is the home. It is a typical single room dwelling with a thatched roof and outdoor cooking area. She was being attended by a village midwife.

 Inside, the woman who had just delivered was laying on the floor - her newborn with her and vigorous. There was one twin bed with another baby sleeping there and a toddler who seemed afraid of me in a small chair. We helped her with her placenta and assessed her. Her BP was high, so we checked in on her again at the end of the day and gave her some medication.

In front of the home. There is a lot of trash everywhere. I thought the dog looked ill and asked about this. I was told in response that she is "aggressive" - wondering if she is rabid.

The mobile clinic took place in a meeting hall. Here, a midwife teaches the women about danger signs of pregnancy. Because so many births took place out of the hospital, it is important to educate women on when they need to transfer to the hospital.  They were very attentive and appreciative.

These little sweeties kept me company today. I am missing my own babies so much. 

 I gave them Starbursts and they grinned ear to ear. In the black pot is a homemade bread a woman brought to share with all at clinic today.

Tomorrow, back to labor and delivery. Deep breath.