Jennifer Malone's Birthday

Today I got to see our Kenya friends, Marigold and Jane. Their stories made me hold my breath a few times, so I will fill you in more later.

But, what I really want to do today (besides get the tiny thorns out of my fingers from digging up blackberry bushes we found by the off ramp of I-77 and Shop Road and then transplanted into the back yard), is shout out a very Happy Birthday to my best friend Jennifer!

Jennifer is working for T.E.A.R.S in the Dominican Republic, and you may have followed the story of her baby's birth on this blog. If not, check it out. Her dad was a bit shocked that I posted actual photos of Mia exiting Jen's stomach, but, it was SO cool, I had to share.

I wish I could have made it to your surprise party today, Jenny (so you could glare at me in person for calling you JennEE), but Luis didn't invite me! I miss you terribly and can't wait to see you. Here is a photo of baby Mia, in her oh-so-stylish IKEA play thingie. Mia on Ikea.

I love you guys. Even Luis.

Thinking outside the States

I talked to Jennifer in the Dominican Republic today. She said the tornado was incredibly scary and must have been huge to do all the damage it did. She also said the hail was crazy. It rained again last night, and all the water that came in the roof of the school swept down the stairs and flooded the second floor, where all the rescued supplies had been relocated to keep them out of the first floor flooding. I'm sure that had to be discouraging.

Today my shoot canceled, so I worked on the Kenya project for our church. The church has committed to build a dorm for orphans and street kids in Mathare Valley, a HUGE slum in Nairobi. Marigold and Jane, the Kenyan woman who runs the school and feeding program for these kids, will come speak at the end of the month, and we want to have $40,000 raised by then, so we can hand them a check to finish the dorms. To remind everyone about the project, we need a high impact display for the church foyer.


We considered big photos, and my friend Debbie and I have gone round and round brainstorming about how to do it affordably. The mounting is the biggest expense - it is easy to spend hundreds of dollars on a single life size photo. Today I wondered if we put cheap, 4x8 foot sheets of OSB together in triangles, if that would make a good mounting surface and give us a space to show the video as well. I mocked up what they might look like, and tonight we met with a guy who said he would help build them. So, now I need to spend some quality time in Photoshop to make it work on my end.

They have to be up in a week!

Back Home

The family is back home. Mia did not appreciate her first car trip - she thought eating would be more fun, and let us know.

Luis took her into the grocery store under their apartment where everyone congratulated him and looked at pretty Mia. Jenn managed the stairs well, and has been settling in. They seem relaxed, and got to spend time talking to Jenn's family on the computer, holding up the laptop camera so everyone Stateside could see Mia asleep in her bassinet.


Tomorrow is my last day here. I'm missing my kids already, but, it will be hard to leave my new niece.

Mia, day two

This shot was taken when they brought Mia to Jenn to nurse for the first time. I should know in an hour or so if she is coming home today, or if she will spend one more day in the hospital. This morning she feels good, but she said last night was painful. I imagine the drive from Santo Domingo, then the two flights of stairs up to this apartment will be hard.

But, Luis is right when he says that Jenn will be happier home, where she can visit with friends and have help from people who love her. I can't wait to watch the faces of Luis' parents when they see Mia. They are so excited. The night before we left for the hospital, they came over and brought the most beautiful mosquito net for around the baby crib. It is all ruffles and lace, and makes the bed perfect for Princess Mia.

I've finally gotten Photoshop to work on the laptop, so I'm about to update the surgery post below with an explanation of why Jenn was not able to have Mia without the c-section.

One day old

Day one breathing air for Mia. Jenn's medicine had not worn off in the morning, so when I went back to the hospital to see them, she was feeling pretty good. The baby is perfect. She is nursing steadily, and she knows her daddy's voice.


I laughed last night when we turned on the tv in the Jenn's room. Mia's first sport on tv was cock fighting. Not something you see on tv in the Carolinas. They fought to the death, not like most of the fights I've seen on the streets where they fight until one chicken runs away, or a passing motorcycle breaks up the crowd, giving the roosters a chance to regroup. The owner of a "chicken" rooster might get his head thumped by jeering spectators. I have this on tape somewhere, I'll try and dig it out. It is something you should see to appreciate.

Mia Grace has arrived

Surgical delivery

I wondered if it would feel different to tape and photograph a surgery for a close friend, versus doing it out of interest, like this post from Ethiopia, or doing it for a client. In terms of shooting, it was a bit different because I was joking with Jennifer and Luis. And, I was more consious than usual about staying back because I really did not want to be kicked out.


A tripod would have been a HUGE help. With one, I could have focused on stills while getting video. Instead, I went back and forth, holding the cameras up high to see over the barrier between Jenn's face and her tummy. When I saw Mia's head, I thought I had somehow missed the doctors taking her out. I shot a bit of video, then switched to the still just as they pulled the rest of her body out. Missing that beautiful motion on video kept me awake last night.


Here it is in stills. Amazing, isn't it, that we live so perfectly in our mother's body? Simply incredible.



When the doctors pulled Mia out, they started talking in Spanish. I didn't catch what they were saying, but Jenn heard something along the lines of "wow, that's weird - no wonder!" Turns out, Mia's umbilical cord was less than half the length of a normal cord. Mia couldn't push down properly on Jenn's cervix and help the birth along. Here, one of the doctors shows us the cord, comparing it to the length of a normal cord. We are all glad Jenn didn't keep trying, as a normal birth would not have been possible.

Updates, more of them

Update, 6:45pm
Jenn is exhausted, but the doctor wants her to keep on for another 30 minutes. The baby, Mia, sounds good. She is not in any distress.

Jenn, Luis and Joy breathe together. Quick breaths for ten seconds, then a deep breath.



Vidal is on a new game. I forget he is watching because he has the sound off. Boston won, but now the Heat has to beat the Lakers. I’m having a really tough time getting internet, and things are getting intense enough that I don’t want to leave.

Watching this, I can not imagine what it must be like for young girls here to have their babies in the public hospital for poor people in La Vega. Their husbands and mothers are not allowed to be in with them. If they require a c-section, they must have brought their own suture material or send someone to buy some. Supplies at the public hospital are limited. People needing oxygen must stop at the hardware store to buy it or get a canister refilled. Seriously.

In contrast, this clinic is wonderful. It is almost like being in a room at home. The only other sound I’ve heard on this floor was a baby crying when we came in. Everyone is calm. No one comes in to boss us around and take a bunch of vitals, and no one seems stressed out like they do in the States. I can tell the doctor hopes Jenn can have a natural birth, and does not want to see her disappointed. At the same, she tells the truth about what is happening.
Before, I thought it was pretty crazy to have a doctor two hours from home, but, now I can see why Joy recommended her.

Update 7:25
Things are not as good as we have hoped. It has been 12 hours now since Jenn first lost fluid, and she is still only one centimeter dilated. The doctor says her cervix is still facing backwards, and the baby’s head is not where she wants it. Luis and Jenn have decided to go ahead with a c-section, and is now being prepped for it. She just got an IV. We will move to a new room for the procedure. Good news is that Mia will be here soon.

Jenn is not happy about it, and commented between contractions, “I’m going to be in some wretched pain for six weeks.” She is tired. I’m going to shut the computer down as we are moving.

Update, 5:50pm

Jenn has dubbed Joy her doula. Luis is timing, Vidal is water fetcher and backup timer. I’m on video. It is getting intense, with contractions less than 60 seconds apart. Doctor came in as I was leaving to update. She hooked Jenn up to some monitors and said the contractions are as strong as the machine can measure. But, she is still only at one centimeter. She wants Jenn to stay on the monitor for another 30 minutes.

Hospital Update

Joy and Vidal arrived and came up to the apartment. Workaholic Jen decided there was more to be accomplished before we could take off for the capital. Checks were signed, paperwork put into labeled bags and keys left with the proper people. Then, snacks were purchased at the grocery store under Jen’s apartment and we loaded the van. A man walked by and tried to sell me a child’s chair. I decided against it.

Contractions on the way to the hospital made it to one every 8 minutes or so. But, they were not yet painful. Joy accused Jen of being in denial when she said she felt like we were going on vacation.

A quick stop at Wendy’s made hamburger loving Vidal happy. Louis admitted he was feeling quite nervous. Trying to get from Wendy’s to the hospital proved challenging. All the streets were one way the wrong way. Vidal went into Dominican driver mode and ignored the lights and signs. We (finally) arrived at the nicest clinic in the country, a few blocks back from the beach road where Carnaval wildness would take place soon. Carnaval is not as crazy here as in La Vega, however, so it is good we got out this morning.

The people at the front desk met Jen by name.

Jen’s doctor was in mass, so the doctor on call came in. He is Lebanese, and friendly. Even though Jenn had to sit on a towel in the car, he was not convinced her water had broken. He did a fern test and determined that she is losing amniotic fluid, but from a small tear, not a full blown water break. She is not dilated, and her uterus and cervix are facing back. He says there is a 50/50 chance at this point that she will need a c-section. They will check her again at 4pm.

Vidal asked Jenn if she minded watching a little basketball, so now we’re watching San Antonio play Boston with the sound turned down.



3:30 update:
The contractions are beginning to hurt. The doctor told us not to time the light contractions, but only the strong ones. Right now, strong ones are about 10 minutes apart. A woman just walked in and brought us coffee in white espresso cups. I’m heading up to the roof to see if I can grab internet from a neighboring high rise.

4:15 update:
Jenn’s doctor just arrived. She is not pleased with the one centimeter dilation and gave Jenn Prostoglandin gel to induce her, says she will give her 8 more hours before considering a c-section. Going to look again and try to connect – there are a dozen networks within range, and I can’t seem to grab any of them, even though the computer says I’m connected. Joy is desperate for a cappuccino and is asking everyone and anyone for three 10 peso coins so she can use the coffee machine.



The contractions are getting much more uncomfortable. Doc is saying things like, “pain can get very, very bad – nasty, without dilation.” I’m sure Jenn finds those thoughts encouraging, but has been promised an epidural if it gets too bad. She doesn’t want an epidural, or a c-section. So, we help out by telling her it’s pressure, not pain. Got that line from a comedian we watched last night. The other doctor told her if he was a woman, he’d want a c-section. Joy and Jenn gave his comment full thumbs down, but I was completely with him!

Boston is winning, and Vidal is content. Louis is looking green again.
Hotel prices are insane because of Carnaval – double the normal rate, but we booked two rooms for tonight because it looks like we will stay here for sure until this baby breathes air.

update, 20 minutes later

We're waiting for Joy to arrive. The doctor, who Jen said sounded like she was running on a treadmill, said she is on her way to a funeral (at 7am) and would call the other doctor to meet us. We think maybe Jen's water broke, or maybe she just peed on herself, which the doctor said happens, too. I'm really feeling the fact that I have NO valuable input to dispense regarding giving birth.

So, I'm taking lots of photos instead.

I wonder if there is an internet cafe near the hospital?

If not, I'll be back in a day or two with a long post.

"Oh my . . ."

We were awakened when it was dark by a Carnaval parade. I taped it because I just can't believe people got up that early to bang drums and march through the streets. I'm sure the tape is not great, because I was asleep while shooting. Water has been off for 8 hours in our apartment. I think Jen is going to have the baby soon. She had contractions and her husband is walking around, holding his head saying, "Oh my God."

Gearing up for Day One

Jennifer and Luis are working today with the team that comes down every year from Canada. Fantastic group of people who put on a camp for kids that live in the ghetto, many of whom have NEVER been out of the ghetto, so it is neat to watch their faces when they first arrive at camp. It is a pretty place, with flowers, a pool, and swingsets.

I got to hang out with the incredible Rod and Twila today. We went to a new restaurant that is now my favorite, run by Taiwanese people and serving all veggie food, some of which looks and tastes like meat. They speak Mandarin, so my son Alden will enjoy meeting them when he comes.


We then drove around the Carnaval set up. It kicks off tomorrow, and I've received a coveted invitation into one of the team lairs. For a few years, I worked on a documentary about Carnaval. But, I have never finished it. My Spanish is too poor to edit the 30 plus hours of footage properly.

Carnaval here has changed since I began the documentary. Perhaps I can show the change in a future piece if my language skill ever improves. I've skipped the past few years because the energy is different and I lost interest. More commercial, certainly. Before, I rarely saw people from outside at Carnaval. Now, it is packed with tourists and journalists and company logos. Outsiders want to dip into the local energy, but their presence here waters it down.

Been there, bought the tee shirt.

I hope as a journalist (of sorts), my presence is more low key - observing rather than interfering. Do you think that hope is possible?

How to Deliver a Baby

Dr. Ruth, from Ethiopia, was kind enough to send me these instructions (see this post for details on why). She also says she has lots of faith in me.



A. Basically a birth is an biological event and not a medical one. It becomes medical when things go wrong.
Of course, this would be my CONCERN!!!
It might help to know that a couple of years ago, a comatose woman who was pregnant delivered her baby in coma without any problems. It is a reflex thing.
I'm so relieved. I'll be sure to let Jenn know.

B. When the head is down it pushes with the contractions of the uterus basically by it self in the right way. It will make a turn in the birthcanal but that happens normally also by it self. (you can help a little bit, by turning it with your hand, but basically it is not necessary).
Can you see me doing this?

It is handy though, to support the baby with your hand and let your hand follow the movement of the baby, so it doesn’t fall on the floor.
Handy, yes.

C. When it goes to fast in the end there is a risk of tearing, but you can help to put some fingers between the vagina and anal wall to give some extra pressure at the skin.
Is this with the hand that is not busy keeping the baby from falling on the floor?

D. Now, what is good to have with you, in case the child gets born in the car!
Some pair of gloves, some blankets to wrap the baby in, two pieces of wrope ( 15 cm long and clean) to tie the cord, clean scissors. (and tissues/pieces of cloth).
Okay, I don't remember ANYTHING in the previous instructions involving rope!

In case the baby is born you have to tie the cord, otherwise blood floes back.
Oh, yeah. Just in case this birthing process ends with a BIRTH.

First you tie the cord (wrap it, knot it, wrap it around it, knot it: three times) 1,5 finger width (1- 2 cm ) from the bellybutton. Really tight. Then you tie it around 2 fingers width from the first tie, also really tied. Then you can cut it, in between, so the baby is loose, but you can also wait for the ambulance. Wrap the baby in warm blankets and/or lay it next to the mother. And wait for the placenta to come.
The ambulance. Through the crowds of demons. Right. But, now I see what the rope is for. What do we do with the placenta when it comes?

(when the baby is not responding: rub it firmly, slap its buttocks and when there is saliva at the mouth remove it with the tissue, so the baby breaths better)
I guess that is better than ME screaming "the baby is not responding, get a doctor!!!"

E. Now in case when things go wrong: arms or legs first, shoulders stuck, lots of bleeding, big tear: you have to go to the hospital. But know that, and you do not want that of course, but sometimes mothers arrive here after two days with a prolonged delivery and the child and mother get out alive. You will probably be in the hospital before that.
Here is where my mind starts to go blank . . . .

F. And first babies usually take 8-14 hours.
Very good news. I can breathe again

Love you, Ruth

This is crazy!

When Jennifer and Luis asked me to come to the Dominican Republic for the birth of their first child, I was thrilled. But, as the time draws close, I have to say I'm scared. I'm not afraid of being at the hospital, or seeing blood, or hearing Jenn scream at Louis.

Nah, I can handle that stuff.

But, when Jenn told me the hospital they chose is in the capital, 2 hours away, I freaked a bit. Then, she explained that our friend Joy would drive her to the hospital. Okay, Joy lives in Santiago, which is 1/2 hour from La Vega, where Jenn lives. So, we are talking 2.5 hours MINIMUM from phone call to hospital arrival.

Yes, this is Jenn's first baby, so labor should should take awhile, right?

I hope so. The other challenge is Carnaval. Jenn was awakened to that fact last weekend when a parade announcing Carnaval drummed under her window at SIX am.

This is my mental picture. Jenn's water breaks on a Sunday morning. We call Joy. Joy makes it to La Vega in record time. We pile into the car and start the trip to Santo Domingo. Then, we are waylaid by a hoard of demons in the street. Jenn tells us the baby is coming. Joy honks the horn and moves through the demons. Then, Jenn screams that the baby is coming NOW! We have to pull over.

I'm going to stop now, because this is as far as I've let my imagination go. Remember, I have three kids, all of whom I gave birth to with wallet pangs, not labor pains!

Can anyone recommend a book on how to deliver a baby in a car during a parade of drunk demons whose job it is to run around and beat people with sand filled cow bladders? I want to have that with me when I leave here Thursday.

Imagine if this was the first thing you saw when you arrived?

More Friends

These are two of our best friends, both of whom are Americans, but live in the Dominican Republic. We got to see each other in Portland this year for the TEARS board meeting. Rod started TEARS, which stands for True Evangelism Always Requires Sacrifice. Jennifer also works with TEARS, and was a great friend to us when we lived in the DR. She comes home to SC, so I get to see her here as well. I've convinced her - after much kicking and screaming - that film work fits her skills, so she will be helping to produce another commercial spot this January while she is home on break.

Ants in My Pants

So, last night, I put on my pajama pants to keep the mosquito bites to a minimum even though it is FREAKING hot here. About 15 seconds later I start screaming and pull off my pants - in front of the window - because my thighs are ON FIRE. I shake the pants out and like 1000 fire ants drop out all over the floor. My friend Jennifer is laughing hysterically - then hyperventilating - not helping me AT ALL.

Maybe it is because I laughed at her when we were in the jungle in Suriname and she was squatting to pee and fire ants started crawling up her leg and she was dancing around, peeing and screaming, and yelling at me to turn off the video camera.

She says pay back is sweet.

I was too scared to use my pillow, because it was near where my pants were and it was too dark to see if the ants were there.