Karen was born a few days ago and came out weighing 800 gms (less than2 lbs). Her brother had died inside of their mother and came out first. They were only about 27 weeks, which here means almost certain death, as we have no way of helping babies breathe here - we can only give them oxygen via nasal cannula. I sadly told her mother that the 2nd baby was not likely to survive either and she graciously accepted that - as most women here do. In fact, I decided not to monitor the 2nd baby's heart rate, as we would not intervene in the case of fetal distress. I did, however, look with ultrasound to see how the second baby was presenting and noted that the heart rate was in the 90's(should be above 120). About 4-5 hours later, she delivered a little girl, who, much to the nurses' surprise, began to cry from where she had been laid to the side about 3 minutes earlier. She is doing great, breathing on her own. She is definitely not out of the woods yet, but we praise God for our little miracle baby. She has spunk,too, as she pulls out her nasal cannula several times a day. Please pray for Karen, and her mother Albinah, as they have several hard weeks ahead.
Little baby Karen
My hand by her - to show you how small she is!
Another happy story is that of Ednah's baby. Ednah presented at about 27 weeks in labor with twins. We attempted to stop her labor, butwere unable to, and she went on to deliver later that day. Again, the first baby died, but the second baby survived and flourished. Under her mother's watchful eye and loving care (and God's blessing), shehas grown well and is now breastfeeding and ready to go home! The smile on Ednah's face always lights up a room - especially when shewas told she could, at long last, take her baby home. We praise God for His blessings and love for these little ones!
Ednah with her daughter
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