Update from Masaka

Our friends in Masaka have been having troubles posting, so hopefully this will work.

Greetings from Masaka!

Tamara and I finally have some time to tell you a bit about our adventures in Uganda. We are currently in Masaka having travelled across the equator to get here from Kampala after a few exciting days in the big smoke. In Kampala I had my first catch in Mulago hospital in the midst of a thunderous rain storm. The rain pounded on the corrugated roof so hard that I could hardly hear myself think never mind listen to babys’ heart rates. It was a perfect dramatic start to my birthing adventures in Uganda! In the meantime in another part of that hospital Tamara delivered a baby in the hall way which was lined with about 20 women sitting on mats on the floor in varying stages of labor. The woman next to the woman delivering was in early labor and seemed pleased to provide translating services. There was no privacy and conditions were crude but it was a beautiful birth none the less and the woman was thrilled and happy with her birth.

Masaka itself is much more laid back than Kampala. We stay in a hotel on a hill with beautiful views of rolling hills with lush greenery and fertile clay colored soil. We wake up to the sound of children happily singing with all their might at the primary school across the road and our walk to work involves saying hello to just about everyone we meet plus our efforts to speak Lugandan keep everyone well amused.

Despite the calming surroundings our first few days here were quite overwhelming. There was getting used to a new hospital where the labor ward was brimming with moms and babies waiting to deliver and there was the cold reality of watching women manage without any of the comforts that we take for granted back home. We weren’t really sure what our place was amidst the chaos and what we could do to help. We’re still trying to work that out and learning lots in the process. The people here are so friendly. When we are introduced to staff our hands are warmly grasped and we are greeted with the words “you are welcome”.

Today was particularly exciting for us student midwife types because there was a woman in labor with a breech baby. Breech babies typically present with bum first instead of head first. However, with this baby we could feel some feet presenting when she was examined which is an indication for a cesarean delivery. However in the time it took for her to be collected for surgery the baby was ready to come. We all got ourselves ready and after a couple of nail biting minutes out it came. It was just a little baby, quite a bit smaller than we’d expect (1.9kg) and it needed some resuscitation. With just a couple of puffs with the resuscitator it was ready to take its first breaths in the outside world. We were about to give some oxytocin which is a drug to help the uterus contract when our instructor Cathy noticed that the moms uterus wasn’t quite empty yet. In no time at all out came a twin!! Head first this time and crying immediately.

The babies were both quite feisty, the smaller of the two looked keen on breastfeeding from the get go so we got baby skin to skin and that baby latched onto the breast beautifully. That was the highlight of my day - a perky little twin who likes a good feed…Someone after my own heart.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring. There are moments of joy and moments of despair. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster but Tamara and I signed up for the full meal deal. Bring it on we say! We’ll keep you posted.

Tracy.