I can remember my days spent in the maternity ward in Haiti so clearly. In some ways, I imagine this is how birth was in the United States only a few years ago – no men allowed, no home-like atmosphere, no freedom of choice for the women. It was a time of frustration and inspiration.
It was incredible to observe the Haitian women birthing. Their cries of “mezami” (“oh my goodness”) and “m’ap sufri” (“I’m suffering”) were shouted between peaceful moments of caring between mothers and daughters, siblings, and friends. I spent many hours waving makeshift fans on a hot afternoon, or rubbing the back of a laboring woman. I often heard the words “vini, blan” (“come, white girl”) as the women craved gentle touch and attention.
I was never fortunate enough to observe a home birth – and that is the way the vast majority of births take place in Haiti. However, I did assist at a local clinic on infant vaccination day, and I saw newborn infants with their umbilical cord stumps tied tightly with a piece of cloth by the local midwife or birth assistant. I watched the love that women had for their children, and I knew that they wanted the best for them – everything they had to offer and more.
It is my dream to open a birth center in Haiti. I envision a place where midwives are professionally trained, where classes are offered to birth assistants and family members, and women are provided with a safe and loving place to give birth. That is the primary goal in my journey to become a midwife.
You can click on the picture to see my photo album of birth in Haiti.
7 Responses to “Birth in Haiti”
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My name is Bethany, and I am the author of this site.
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August 2nd, 2005 at 08:16 AM I heard they'll be talking about Haitian Birth Culture at the "Midwifery Today Conference":http://www.midwiferytoday.com/conferences/bahamas2005/ in the Bahamas.
August 3rd, 2005 at 05:20 AM Hi! :) I found your link on the Midwifery Today forum. Thank you for taking the time to share, and the photos are a really nice touch! :) It must have been quite an experience! The Lord bless you! Zoie
August 30th, 2005 at 06:03 AM Here are some links about birth in Haiti: * "Dr. Carolle's Wellness Center for Midlife Women":http://www.drcarolle.com/haiti.htm * "Unsung heroes: Midwife easing grief in Haiti":http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/43a/509.html * "Dr. Jean-Eliott Pierre":http://www.globalhealthaction.org/successpierre.html * "HAITIAN CHILDREN IN THE RURAL AREA":http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/haiti/misctopic/leftover/bordes.htm
September 19th, 2005 at 01:48 PM Bethany, I love your website. I think it would be great to have a birth center and training in Haiti for midwives. Did you get to talk to Steve and Nancy James before they went to Haiti? I just came across this birth website in the Times Union newspaper today tinyurl.com/abpft I haven't checked it out yet but its Harvard Med school web page on emergency birth. Love Debbie
February 3rd, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Have you checked out our website? Where were you when you were in Haiti?
May 10th, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Dear Bethany,
I luckily stumbled onto your site after trying to Google opportunities to volunteer in maternity wards in Haiti. Your experience sounds like exactly what I am looking for! Would you mind sending me an e-mail with any contacts I could use to inquire about volunteering in the near future? Any personal advice would be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance and take care,
Halley
September 5th, 2007 at 06:34 AM
I was so please to read about your dream. I was born in Haiti but came to the United States very young. My dream is to open a clinic where anyone can come to see the doctor, including pregnant woman. Presently I’m in School to complete my NP NursePractioner. I willbe done in two years. I’m so happy to find someone with the same vision. May god be with you and bless you.