Wrath of a Caregiver
During my teenage, I heard women talk of how midwives at some health facilities insulted them when they went to deliver. When I became an adult I assumed those days were over. I have always had this caring and compassionate image of a midwife because the work they do is quite a blessing and privilege.
To receive newborns as they are born, and to be the one to assist the mother—even save her life and that of her baby in the event of complications, is a God-assigned job. After all, no other living creature is midwifed as woman is!
I was therefore surprised when Lorna, a friend, narrated to me her recent delivery experience.
‘I got pregnant out of wedlock and I had no permanent job. I knew of a certain health facility where I planned to both attend my antenatal clinics and deliver. From a financial perspective, I could not afford to attend a big hospital. Attending antenatal clinics was fun, apart from the long queues.
My EDD was 21 December 2007, but on 15 December I went into labour. My neighbour kindly agreed to take me to the health facility at around nine o’clock in the morning.
Immediately I arrived at the hospital a nurse checked me, and estimated that I would deliver by the end of the day. I did not know that labour would be that painful. As time went by, the pain intensified but surprisingly the nurses never checked me again. I rolled on the bed, screamed and called them but they did not bother. I did not understand why they seemed unbothered while I experienced so much pain.
A fellow patient, who occupied the bed next to mine, empathised with me. We made friends and she encouraged me. It seemed to me that her labour pains were low and intermittent, as she was calm. She offered to rub my back, which I really appreciated.
Three hours later, a care giver came to my bedside. I was shocked when she shouted at me, scolding me for ‘making too much noise’ and disturbing other patients who had already delivered and needed rest. I told her I was in a lot of pain and requested her to do something about it. She replied, ‘I was not there when you were getting pregnant. Close your mouth or else…’ She left without finishing her statement. Being a first-time mum, I was astonished beyond words.
A while later, I felt the urge of going for a long call. I was just about to go to the washroom when my new friend warned me that it may not be a long call but the baby coming! Unbelievably, I pushed and the baby came out! The midwife was informed and she came and cut the umbilical cord as well as helped me deliver the placenta.
After delivery my friend revealed that she experienced the same when she was delivered her first baby at the same health facility It was for that reason that she had not raised her voice. I had assumed it was because she was not in pain!
END:PG12/51