Childbirth in Eastern Myanmar is a risky business.

Early in the cool of the pre-morning light, a mother gave birth to her 6th baby. You can be sure she was at home; she had the women surrounding her and a fire keeping her warm. The sounds of village life starting in the background.   I am confident that all who were there felt this would be a standard birth as she had had 5 babies easily before - no need to worry. After about 30 mins the placenta wasn't coming, but the 43-year-old mother was bleeding. Someone was sent the short distance to seek help from the local clinic. Medics hurried to meet her, and she was carried on to the clinic but despite concerted efforts they were unable to deliver the placenta either. Mum continued to bleed heavily, the medics knew she needed access to surgery and more care than they could provide. They started a blood transfusion, arranged transport, and settled her in the flatbed of the truck [ute] and started towards RTC. She arrived to RTC at 6pm that evening but sadly had passed away on the journey.  Lay Lay Poe our lead Midwife notified me and said, “I got in the back of the truck to assess her, the family were surrounding her, I couldn't ask questions or history, I didn't have the heart, they are devastated." She checked the baby over and gave the baby some loving. She ensured the family had access to milk formula for the baby and they turned around and returned to their village to grieve this epic loss. 

Many years ago, a Karen leader told me “Childbirth is a risky business." He too had lost his wife many years earlier during a birth and it is well known in Karen state that having a baby is truly a risky business, needlessly risky. Tragically in recent years in Karen State the risks have increased even more. Any improvements in services for women having babies in Karen State that were made, are now being lost.

However, the staff and students at T-RAD and RT clinics still strive to do everything they can to ensure that women in childbirth are treated with the utmost care, dignity, and compassion. Please be praying for this family and others like them.

Midwife Lay Lay Poe giving the baby some love and cuddles.

By Monica - SPM Maternal Health Project Coordinator

Monica Parker is from New South Wales, Australia and is a registered nurse and midwife. She has been living and working in Thailand and Myanmar since 2009 and is the Co-ordinator of SPM’s Maternal Health Program. She is seconded to work with Earth Mission Asia’s Physician Assistant program based in Karen State Myanmar. It is Monica’s dream to train a strong core of professional midwives to serve the Karen people in the remote areas of Karen State. She also wants to help set professional standards in maternal health care. This includes identification and appropriate management of high-risk pregnancy and birth.

Monica and her family are currently back in Australia waiting to return to Myanmar.