Coast Province Hospital – Day 1

Today was quite an exhilarating day to say the least – and I am extremely excited to see what lies ahead! After nearly a 2 hour check in process, we finally broke off into our groups. I and 3 others were sent to the Maternity ward. Apparently we came on a “slow day” and there were only two mothers in labor downstairs. Since it was so slow, Laura and I were sent upstairs to the Millennium Theatre where all of the C-sections are performed. In 2000, the Japanese government provided funding for the new maternity ward – hence the name “millennium.” Even though the hospital is only 12 years old, the facility appears very run down compared to the modern hospitals I am used to back home. The hospital we are working in is government operated and very short staffed. Due to that reason, many pre and post op areas are not utilized and patients are stationed in the hallway so the nurses can keep vigilant.

Having observed some procedures back in the states, the differences in “sterile techniques” are unfathomable. But regardless of technique, we were able to observe two C-sections. The first was elective and the second was an emergency. The elective C-section was scheduled because the baby was supposedly breech. We observed from the end of the table, and I had goose bumps watching my first delivery, which was head first. So much for that breech baby!

After the first procedure, we returned back downstairs to the maternity ward where another mother had gone into labor. She came in ready to push, but while checking to see how far the mother had progressed, grade 3 meconium was visible – an indicator that the baby was in distress. After further checking into her medical records, she had already been referred to have a C-section, but was frightened by the concept. Therefore, she withheld that information from the doctor and was hoping to sneak in a vaginal delivery (medical records are quite different here than in the US). But little did the doctors know, the baby was well over 40 weeks and also had the cord wrapped around its neck. Luckily the emergency C-section was successful and the baby survived.

Since we were late in leaving the hospital, we missed the shuttle to our compound and were forced to take an African taxi. These “taxies” are called tuktuks and are basically a glorified tricycle. They of course try to charge an arm and a leg for a ride, but we were able to negotiate a price of 200 shillings – only to realize the driver had no idea where to take us. Luckily we found some English speaking people on the side of the road that directed our driver in the right direction! We eventually made it back to the compound and went to one of the areas favorite cafes for some well needed caffeine. We turned it in early to prepare for another long day at the hospital!