Birth Center Saves MotherBaby Lives in Philippines

Dear Friends,

We are so grateful for your continued faithful support so that Mercy In Action supported midwives can continue providing compassionate, excellent care for families in the Philippines.  Midwife Nerissa recently shared this story with us and has given us permission to share with you. The names have been changed to protect privacy.

'May,' a single mother without a partner, came to us for prenatal care advanced in her pregnancy, and we were worried about her unborn baby being too small, but she was not sure of her dates.  We advised that she get an ultrasound to confirm dates but she did not have the money for it, and the next day she went into active labor, arriving for care when she was 8cms dilated.  At that point there was no time to refer as her labor was progressing quickly. She delivered in a matter of minutes and we were so thankful that the baby was healthy, and weighed 2500g (5 1/2 pounds). She was so thankful that everything went well and the baby was healthy.  If she or the baby had needed hospital care, it would have been a crisis for her financially and practically because nobody in her family was available to go with her to the hospital. When someone is hospitalized here they must bring a companion who stays with them all the time to feed them, buy medicines, run errands, and watch for clinical danger signs to alert the medical staff.  She was grateful for the care she and her baby received free of charge, and with the support of our staff, at our birth center, and also for the food that we gave her.

Your donations make it possible for Nerissa and the team to continue to serve the 'May's in their community, and many others.

God bless you!