Update on my patient

I've seen my patient three times since my last post. What I learned is that she didn't end up being induced at the hospital after all. Apparently, once she got settled in the 2nd hospital her contractions become strong and painful again and she delivered at 2:00 am the next morning (Thurs). I wonder if all the stress and anxiety really did cause her labor to halt. Ina May Gaskin describes this phenomenon in her Guide to Natural Childbirth book. If I remember correctly, she termed it sphincter law. Basically it's the same reason why some of us would find it difficult to pee if a stranger was staring at us. Apparently for some women in labor, a stressful, busy, threatening, unsafe, or uncomfortable environment can actually cause the cervix to either stop dilating or to even close up. Knowing how the ability to relax is an integral part of dilating and progressing well in labor, I wouldn't be surprised if this is what happened with Emily. Anyway, she gave birth to a baby boy weighing 2.9 kg (6 pounds, 6 ounces). She named him Athan Kevin.

After I made two trips to the hospital to help her with the rest of her expenses, she was discharged last night (Saturday). She told me she was happy to go home, especially because she really wanted to be at home when our church held a special service for her community on Sunday. Indeed, our church did do an outreach service in their community this afternoon and Andrey and I went along. Emily was there and looked great. She seemed to be quite happy. That's when I took these shots...

Emily, her two sisters & nephew, and her Mama

Emily's super-cute daughter

In order to show her gratitude, Emily gave me a gift that blew me away. She thanked me for my help and said she wanted to give me a gift that represented our friendship and her thankfulness. She opened her hand and inside was this beautiful silver necklace with a slipper made of mango wood with a silver strap. I was shocked. I am sure that this was a treasured possession of hers that she was willing to part with in order to thank me. It was difficult to receive but I knew not taking it would be an insult. She really wanted to give me something in return which I did not expect at all but I am so blessed by it.