It was early evening when Chabane (Francois’s 1st language helper) called outside our house. His wife is asking for me. We knew that their second baby was due soon, so I quickly went.
During the 5 years we have been here, we can remember only a handful of times that we have been asked the help with a birth and then it usually was because the mother was dying and needed to go to the “big” hospital far from here. The Mwinika’s taboo’s and traditions around birth is very strict and they have their own “trained” midwifes who know these traditions and uphold it. This was therefore an unusual request.
Arriving at their house, I found Louisa on the bare mud floor just inside their door. She was alone, except for a very old little grandmother (Chabane’s mother) who stood about helplessly. Louisa was obviously already in labour … in fact, I was alarmed when I realized her constrictions were only 3 minutes apart! Louisa wanted me to take her to the local clinic. Again, although it happens more often these days, most women still have their babies in the bush where they have more control over all the rituals they must follow around a birth.
Running back home, I brought the car closer and then went back to fetch her. It was still a little bit away from her house. She could not walk on her own anymore and I tried to support her the best I could. Often, we had to stop along the way when a contraction overwhelmed her. Following us came two older aunts and the old mother. Like usual when people are in pain or grieving here, they did not touch or show any support, but got very upset if Louisa would make a sound! They were obviously very worried and I found myself comforting not only Louisa, but them as well: all this is normal, everything is still ok. (We are still surprised by the Mwinika women’s lack of knowledge around childbirth. Like Elin says: No Lamaze classes for these women!)
Chabane made a last minute decision to go with us and he and their 3 year old son jumped in the back of the car. Needless to say, the trip was quite nerve wreaking, especially since Louisa indicated that the baby was coming just as we started on our way… The road to the local clinic is rough and never felt longer! Again, I was comforting them all, while praying at the same time.
Francois tried to get hold of our partners who live close to the clinic to let them know to be ready when we arrive, but he could not get through to them. Arriving at the clinic, all was quiet and dark and no-one was about. One of the nurses (living close by) calmly (and slowly!) walked over and only when I explained that the baby was on its way, did she jump into action, running to call the (very young) clinic midwife!
In the mean time I helped Louisa onto the birthing table, where again she indicated that the baby was coming – and indeed! The baby’s head already crowned and was well on his way! (There were no lights, but I had my flashlight with me). At this stage I found myself alone with Louisa, remembering a few months earlier…
We were in the same room, at the same table and it was nearly the same time in the evening, but that day the baby inside her already died and they needed to help her abort it. We went through a painful and traumatic half an hour when I had to hold the flashlight for the midwife to scrape her womb clean… without any anaesthetics and only my translations explaining what was happening.
However, praise God, this time I witnessed a beautiful, healthy little boy being born! This too, was a first for me. Everyone were so happy and relieved when the baby gave his first cry! I will never forget Chabane’s face when I went outside to tell him the news (and I still had to switch off the car!). He literally danced with joy! His 3 year old son was happy too – not knowing exactly why, although we tried to explain it to him.
Louisa was happy to hold her baby. Again, I helped her to a bed under the mosquito net in the next room. Marvelling as I drove away later at the little the Mwinika women have and expect. There was no warm bath or even water (!) to clean her up after the birth, no clean clothes to wear, no new, soft blanket to cover the baby in. No nourishing food to eat, no pillow, no light. However, Louisa and all the aunts were happy and thankful for the birth of little Amos. He is alive!
Praise God for new life.