Last week, one of my ladies in the village delivered her baby early, at 33 weeks. For several months I have been concerned about this young girl. When her family discovered that she had become pregnant out of wedlock, they beat her as punishment. Fortunately her unborn baby was unaffected. On Thursday, I went to Ladi’s home to visit her new arrival. As I entered the family compound, I was greeted with ululation and escorted into a tiny room where the new grandmother was cutting goat intestines for dinner. Many well wishers were ushered out of the only bedroom to allow me entrance. Ladi, clad in a Texas A&M sweatshirt, and tiny baby Jummai were snuggled into the lone bed, the room warmed with a charcoal oven. I asked if I might take the infant to the clinic for a weight check and her vaccines, a request to which the family easily complied.
In the light of the clinic, I could see that the 3 day old premie had been decorated in the traditional coal-eyeliner, with her eyebrows penciled in black and a tiny red dot painted between her eyes. She was wearing about 10 layers of clothing to protect her against the frigid 80 degree weather, with gaping trousers that were marked size 9-12 months. Weighing in at 2 kilograms, little Jummai appeared alert and thriving. I administered vaccines, re-dressed her (this took 15 minutes), and bundled her back to her mother. After instructions of care for the fragile infant, I left, praying that the Lord would watch over this precious package.
I am always amazed at the tenacity of these tiny premies. Last month one of my patients delivered her baby at 27 weeks, 3 months ahead of schedule. During that home-visit, I interrupted the Mommy while she was harvesting crops (2 days post partum), and instructed her to feed her baby every 2 hours and keep her warm. No incubators, pulse oximeters, umbilical lines, IV drips, heart monitors, or apnea machines. All of those gadgets are incredible life savers, but I am so thankful that in their absence, we have The Real Lifesaver!
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2 comments:
I both enjoy and appreciate these "snapshots" of what your life is right now! Helps me keep perspective! God is completely amazing! Love you Kelly- May He bless you in ways you have never even asked for nor could imagine! Bless you- G
Well Kel you pulled out a new word for ole Dad - ululation. I had to Goggle the darn thing. It stated "Ululation is found in some singing techniques and ritual situations. In Arab countries ululation is commonly used by women to express celebration or grief, especially at weddings and funerals." Never too old to learn. I know more today than yesterday.
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