I had cancelled my plans to go to Bendigo yesterday afternoon for the IMDay celebrations. Then the phone call came, in broken English, "Joy we want you to come. The contractions are hard. The blood has dropped (ie show)." It was *international*. The woman has come to this country from S America, and although she managed enough English in the months leading up to the birth, she needed her mother tongue, Spanish, in labour. It was *midwives*. My helper is a Spanish-speaking midwife who I met when she was a student, and who has been with me for a previous homebirth. She translated my words to the woman, as we waited in the bedroom. The other children were playing in another room of the house.
The baby was born beautifully, and was suckling strongly within minutes. I marvel at the strength of this and every woman in birth, and at every aspect of the natural process. It was a good day. Joy Johnston -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
