Category: 2024

What a busy weekend! Eleven midwives we’ve trained as master trainers traveled for continuing education that they chose — one of the master trainer’s bus ride was 12 hours!

We started the first training on Friday evening on suturing and continued until 8 pm Saturday. Lynn, a doctor, and Jeff, a retired veterinarian, did a great job with slides and hands-on practice with chicken breasts. The midwives loved the practice.

Then Teresa reviewed and supervised practice of physical assessment, with special attention on cardiovascular and sepsis. The midwives did Hands-on Lung and heart assessment with help from our team members. We’ve realized that very few professionals here have any hands-on practice. I led a section on Preeclampsia- Eclampsia with review of blood pressure, reflexes, rapid assessment and care of patient experiencing a seizure. Then we concluded by reviewing a precipitous birth, including the delivery of a premature baby.

The midwives are incredibly engaged and motivated to improve their knowledge and skills. Donations and volunteers from Teresa and Jeff’s church included water resistant aprons, baby hats, and hand-sewn baby scales complete with attached fish scale. See photos

We ended the evening with a bonfire, including s’mores which allowed the midwives time with each other since most live in different cities. The love is almost palpable in this group.

Dios te bendiga!

Nancy

Nancy Comello led a Supporting Safe Birth volunteer team that taught the Helping Mothers and Babies Survive Bleeding After Birth Complete Day 1 module. Sixteen nursing students participated in the hands-on training at the Galileo University in Guatemala City.

Hola from Guatemala!

We had 2 productive teaching days with 2 groups of firefighters (bomberos) teaching about postpartum hemorrhage here in Guatemala City. They represented firefighters throughout Guatemala, were very engaged learners, and we enjoyed working with them very much. We were also able to have them practice with the anti-shock pants. We hope to expand our trainings with them in future trips.

Our team is working well together, although tired from the long days. Jill has to return to the states today — we’ll miss you Jill!

Much love from Guatemala — abrazos!

We arrived in Guatemala on Thursday, August 15 and prepared our 11 supply bags for each of our trainings. On Sunday, August 18, we had a class of 53 firefighter students! They each practiced on the mannequin, which was their first experience using mannequins. We taught them how to handle precipitous birth – they were very engaged, asking great questions. It was a great and tiring day!

Come back to see 2024 posts