“Your baby could die if we don’t go to the hospital right now,” I said to Mislinda.
Since arriving in the Palawan jungle, I have been responsible for the pregnant patients. Women from remote communities are typically encouraged to stay at the clinic as their due dates approach. The first delivery I handled here occurred in the early morning, resulting in a beautiful baby born at 5:00 a.m. without any complications. However, Mislinda’s case was different.
Mislinda, a native woman who assists us at the clinic every Sunday, was eagerly awaiting the birth of her fourth child. However, days passed without the baby’s arrival. She finally agreed to stay at the birth house, enabling me to check on her daily.
One morning, she mentioned feeling like she had lost some fluid overnight but was unsure. I conducted an amniotic fluid test, confirming her suspicion. I was worried. Despite hours passing, she was not experiencing contractions. I explained that the best course of action was to hike out of the mountain and take her to a hospital in the city capable of inducing labor or performing a cesarean section. Although initially hesitant, she eventually agreed after understanding it was the best option for her and the baby.
A team of five men prepared to accompany us on the hike out of the mountain in case carrying her became necessary. We prayed and embarked on the journey, carefully monitoring Mislinda and the baby before and during the hike down the mountain. Despite being 40 weeks pregnant and experiencing amniotic fluid leaks, Mislinda incredibly made the three-hour hike out of the mountain without needing to be carried. When we arrived, the ambulance awaited us at the bottom of the trail. We arrived at the hospital before nightfall, and after consulting with several doctors, a C-section was deemed the best option. Little Alex entered the world at 12:05 a.m.
The next morning, while I was still sleeping, Mislinda called me. Concerned, I thought something had gone wrong during the night and began expecting the worst. When I asked her if she was okay, she simply replied, “Doctor, I have the placenta. Can you take care of it?” I later understood that she wanted me to bury it as part of her cultural tradition.
As I walked through the city with her placenta in a plastic bag, heading to the farm to find a place to bury it, I thanked God because He always gave me the wisdom to know how to act despite moments of stress, fear and concern for my patient’s health. I cherish these moments with joy in my heart. “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
