2nd day at the hospital

Things were a bit more my speed today. I worked in the outpatient MCH department (maternal and child health). The day was spent getting weights on children under the age of 5. They are to return monthly for wt checks when they are under a year old. But that is all that is done on that visit, just a weight. They do not see a doctor or have a physical. Their growth is plotted on a card and given back to the mother to keep for the next visit, there is no second copy of this recorded medical information. The most horrifying thing was when the strap broke that was holding the child being weighed and he fell to the ground hitting his side and his head on the cement from about 4 ft. If that wasn't bad enough, nothing is done exept to let the mother sooth the child and put him back in a new sling and try again! It was very hard to watch!

Several children were underweight or had lost significant weight since their last visit, I tried to show my concern but was told that is was only because the mother had been sick a week or two prior! (This was not a good enough answer for me, but for now it has to be!)

I also preformed maternal checks. At each visit (also monthly until the 8th month when it becomes weekly) a Blood pressure, weight, fundal measurement, and listening for fetal heart rate is preformed. Some mothers have labs drawn and receive malaria medications (depends on how far along they are) Also HIV tests are preformed 3 times during the 9 month pregnancy. The most difficult task is trying to hear the fetal heart rate through a wooden fundoscope. This is a skill that requires a bit more practice, especailly on the 20-30 weekers!

I am feeling more confortable and even a bit helpful, the hardest part is not being able to communicate in Swahili. I know some basic phrases "Thank you" "Thank you very much" " You are welcome" "Enjoy" "How are you?" "Whats up?"

Our 10 minute walk to the hospital is all on dirt roads and passes by a primary and secondary school. On the way home the children are out of class and tag along behind us chanting different english phrases like "hello" "morning" "good morning" and "how are you?" Today we cut through the middle of a small soccer game (taking place on the dirt road) and the ball was passed to a young boy near me, so I joined the game! Took the ball and proceded to go and shoot on the child in goal. He saved it but all the little boys thought this was great. After missing my goal, I continued walking to the house! I have a feeling these kids might become part of my after work activities at some point, even if it is just playing soccer a few times a week. :)