The Longest Minutes .....

 That day in prenatal clinic, when I met her, I knew she was mine. The darling 16 year old girl sitting on my prenatal bed needed to be adopted by one specific caregiver, and as I asked her questions about her health, I knew I would be the one. I gave her my number, wrote my name on her chart, and committed to taking care of her throughout her pregnancy. I would be the one by her side as she birthed her baby into the world, and I would be the one who did checkups for her and her baby in the days following birth.

Good morning!

She sent me text messages 3-4 times every day, asking how I was and wishing me a good evening/morning/afternoon/coffee break.  My heart became increasingly endeared to her throughout her pregnancy, and I prayed regularly for and with her in the weeks leading up to the birth. I prayed that she would give birth before I left on an outreach trip into the country. Then, one prenatal appointment, she told me she'd been having contractions. I felt the beautiful curve that was her belly as it tightened into another contraction. Sure enough, it seemed she was in early labor. I encouraged her to eat and drink and rest so she would have strength for The Big Event.

Sakit Kaayo, mam Melissa.

She texted me all that afternoon and evening, keeping me informed on how much it hurt, and how she was coping. I decided to try to catch a few hours of sleep before The Big Event. I slept fitfully, my phone clutched in my hand, and my dreams filled with labor and birth. I woke every few minutes and checked my phone. At 2:30 am I got the text that I should meet her at the clinic. It was time. I scrambled out of bed and into my scrubs, praying for wisdom and protection.


Click.... click.... click, click, click, click....

"Breathe Jade" I told the little mamma-to-be. Breathe for your baby. The baby's heart beat was dipping uncomfortably low as labor intensified. This last stage of labor was really difficult, but Jade was not giving up. Her young determination was a beautiful thing to witness. We prayed together for her and for her baby. She used all her strength to bring her baby into the world.

Baby out! Floppy.

As I laid the new little one on her mother's tummy, I knew all was not well with this baby. I was praying in my head as we suctioned out the lungs. "1 minute apgar score" called out the charter. The answer was 4. 4 of 10 points. Points that indicated the baby's vitality and immediate chance of survival. The supervisor called for the baby's heartbeat. Urgently I grabbed the stethoscope with my blood-covered gloves and shoved it into my ears. I started taking heart beats.


170....160.....160...180....170

I called out the heart rate every 6 seconds, praying that God would give the breath of life to this little one. 2 minutes and still no breath. Only 2 minutes, but they passed by more like hours. A mask was fitted over the baby's mouth and nose, and my co-workers pushed air into those tiny lungs.

3 minutes.... 3.5 minutes...

 And then, finally, the answer to our collective prayer was manifest in the form of a gasp and a slight cry. That first little pioneering wail was followed by several more, stronger cries. By 5 minutes after her birth, the Apgar score was 7 out of 10.

Salamat sa Ginoo!

Gratitude was all I felt as I thanked God in her native tongue. The mother and father held hands and thanked God with me as their little girl made her presence known. We all knew clearly that He had sustained this little life, and given her breath.

Those were the longest minutes.

When someone who should be breathing, wasn't. I realized yesterday just how long a minute can last. Sunshine Melody, they named her. I will continue to care for this little family in the next few weeks. I will continue to share God's love with them, and marvel in the grace He has bestowed on them in the form of this tiny, new life.

All glory be to God, the Giver of Life.