Moringa Leaves, Vacuums and Boise, Idaho.

Yep, they really do all have something in common. Hard to believe I know! So what is it that they have in common? They are all related to a training I did in late February. The training was held by Mercy in Action in Boise, Idaho. They have been very successful at providing life-saving care to the women of the Philippines through several birth centers for over 25 years.

This specific training was called Midwifery Volunteerism in the Developing World. I went hoping to help bridge my knowledge between all I learned in school about working in the US and the differences I know I will encounter in returning to serve in the developing world. We talked in depth about the top five causes of maternal and neonatal death and how to address each of those problems through low cost and simple interventions.

We talked a lot about nutrition, as poor nutrition is a common cause for problems during pregnancy such as preterm birth and bleeding after the birth. One of the resources they shared was the moringa tree. You can read more about it here. They are an amazing source of nutrition that grows well in the tropics, even in poor soil. I definitely hope to plant a few around the hospital, enjoy their leaves myself, and encourage the women in the village to do the same.

We also learned a lot about obstructed labor or when the baby gets stuck in the birth canal for one of many reasons or birth needs to happen quickly due to complications. We then trained on how to properly assess and use vacuum device to assist with birth in certain situations.

There were several other topics addressed including working with HIV positive women, treating hookworms and malaria, preventing/treating neonatal infections and preventing/treating problems like postpartum hemorrhage. All in all it was a great training and one I would highly recommend to anyone serving in the developing world in any health-care role take.

One of the hardest things I know I will encounter while serving is the reality that I am going to have moms and babies who die in my care. Many will come with problems that are too severe or it is too late to help. In other cases it may be that we lack equipment or the medication needed to help. Death is a rare problem in most OB units here in the US but unfortunately much more common in Indonesia and a reality I have to prepare myself for. I hope by completing some of the training and reading I am doing before I go, I can help to save as many as possible.