The Birth.

Moments of being induced.  All is well, in my soul.

Isabella Nasya Torres.  A miracle from God.  Born June 15th, 2012

Our doctor and nurses that did an amazing job... we are so thankful!

I hope to share a story of the birth of our precious Isabella, that you may share in our joys – and also understand deeper the underlying burden Burundian women face each day in the healthcare system as they welcome, or sadly leave the hospital empty handed and broken hearted. 

We had initially planned to head down to the city 2 weeks prior to Isabella’s due date just to play it safe that when I gave birth… we would not be in Muramvya (up-country).  I have heard countless stories of so many women and babies dying up here, for various reasons that convinces with proper training could simply be avoided…  The night before we planned to go down, about 11:30 at night I had serious labor pains and knew we had to either drive down to the capital or go to the hospital up-country.  Recently, the road down to Bujumbura hasn’t been the most stable and safe at night and being rural if you get caught up in something, there is one way up – one way down and a lot of rural land in between.  Actually, we always choose to play it safe by never driving up and down that road at night, even when things are calm.  So, we chose to go to the hospital up-country.  When we arrived, the metal gates were locked, and no one was present as we waited impatiently to enter the property.  Finally an “umutama” (old man) walked up and let us in.  When we approached the hospital it was dark, vacant and no one around.  I was going up and down the walkway asking for a doctor, and they told me “he is at home”… when they looked at my belly, they realized that maybe I was there to give birth and directed me towards the maternity section.  When I entered, I found a young man who greeted me and asked me what I needed.  The stench of it all was unbearable, mixed with pee, poop and possibly blood.  As he checked the dilation, it seemed everyone entered the room to get a peek… and he said I was 2 cm and should be able to wait until morning to head down to the big city.  Whew.   I had considered if I was in labor to invite the doctor to my house for me to give birth there… simply for sanitation reasons.  I was a bit freaked out, but overwhelmingly happy that we could head down to the city the next morning.

We arrive in the city and wait… I had been having contractions for about a week and measuring 40 weeks on the sonogram for quite some time.  We knew it was only a matter of time before she joined us.  Our friends allowed us to stay in their house for the week as they were up country doing a crusade… actually, we house swapped.  The doctor who is a wonderful Burundian woman who studied in France, had suggested that it would be good to induce me because continual contractions, and some being quite strong without progression could stress the baby; along with wanting to play it safe as she kept in mind the still birth of our first little boy.  We agreed, the she knew best and began to get induced Thursday morning.  With Isai and Malaki both, the medicine to induce kicked in quick and they were born the same day.  With Isabella, I stayed on the IV all day long and very little progress was made in the dilation and contractions.  Her heart beat remained good, she was happy and kicking around… just wanted to hang out in my belly a little while longer, I suppose.  I did, however have wonderful times with a new friend / Belgium midwife who stuck around for the day to help me with the birth.  The doctor asked me to rest for the night and we would start again in the morning…

Friday morning, about 7:30 the nurse wanted to start with the pill that they insert into your cervix to help ripen and progress the labor; they didn’t begin with that the day before because I was already having contractions and dilated... So, thus it began.  They put the pill in and wanted to monitor Isabella for the next 30 minutes just to make sure she responded in a good way.  We were about 10 minutes into the monitoring and then my Doctor walks in, in which was a huge surprise because she was on call and heading out to do a teaching at her church.  She just wanted to greet me, and encourage me that Isabella would indeed come that day.  As she entered behind the curtain to join us, in which that very moment Isabella’s heart beat began to shoot very high and drop very low.  Concerned, they continued to watch the monitor as her heartbeat fell flat.  At that moment, the power goes out.  They then take a wooden cup like thing that they use from back in the days to try to find her heartbeat.  Nothing.  The power comes back on, and it’s clear on the monitor that her heartbeat was gone. 

At that moment, I was completely lost up in emotions, confusion as they are giving me directions in another language, and just simply discouraged thinking… I have lost another and we were so close to embracing her in our arms.  I was crying saying just get her out, please… Isai was firm, as always.  Praying and knowing that if she comes out dead he would pray and pray for her to come to life.  The quickly roll me off to a c-section room, and don’t allow Isai to come in… As I continue crying for him.  Finally they see that he could possibly be of assistance, and let him come on in as they give me the general anesthesia.  Shortly after, they see I didn’t respond well and they incubate me with a tube to help me breathe.  Isai was calm and strong and watched it all.  When they pulled Isabella out, she was a little groggy from the anesthesia, but within moments the doctor said her hand shot up in strength as the brought her off to the other room.  A few minutes later, they told Isai to come get his beautiful little girl and dress her.  She was strong, healthy… and became so calm at the presence and embrace of her Papi.  Isai then returned to our room with her as he waited to see how I was doing.  He went and asked to see me or any news and they told him… he can’t go in.  They didn’t speak English with him, which was for sure much more of a confusion in the moment. 

Finally, they brought me to the room, as relief and joy rushed in for Isai… knowing that indeed as he prayed to take both of us home, it would come to pass.  I, on the other hand was still out it, leaving off in the same train of thought as before I went under.  I thought she died, I continued crying and asking if they found the heartbeat… I was a mess!  Thank God, that wore off after about 15 minutes or so, when I finally came to.  Isabella was perfect, alive, and huge!  7 pounds 3 oz, 19 inches…  I say huge because Malaki was only 6 pounds and a tiny little bundle.  We call her Isabella Nasya Torres.  Nasya means “Miracle” in Hebrew… One of the doctors came to join us afterwards and spoke very plainly that she would have died. It’s as though God orchestrated all people to be in the right place to respond in the right time… that’s as clear and plain as we can put it.  The doctor wasn’t even going to come in… and yet at the very moment we needed her, she was there to act within minutes, in comparison to waiting 20 minutes for her to join us.  God made a way… and we are speechless and in awe of His sovereignty in our lives.  His plan is perfect.  Always.