Baby Deborah Part 3

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to the God.Philippians 4:6

The conditions were primitive to say the least. The room had one open window to provide light and ventilation. Unfortunately, it also had no screen and provided a steady stream of flying insects, including wasps the size of small birds. It was very hot in the room and we all were perspiring heavily. We used alcohol to clean the instruments and prep her abdomen. We used the plastic sheets for drapes. We all prayed fervently because we knew this would not work without the Lord's help. I started the IV, administered the ketamine and served as both the anesthesiologist and surgical assistant. Debbie worked as our circulating nurse and tried to find whatever else we needed during the surgery. Burt had spent many years in Africa and had done many cesarean sections before but none under conditions as primitive as this. As the light faded, I held a mag light so that Burt could see to finish the operation. We delivered the baby and she was in surprisingly good shape. Her APGAR scores were good but she was febrile. I was sure that she was septic after three days being in the mother's womb with ruptured membranes. After we had stabilized the baby as best we could, we turned out attention back to the mother. The placenta was very scarred down and could not be separated from the uterus. Now, in addition to doing the cesarean section, we were going to have to do an emergency hysterectomy. With great skill and copious prayers, Burt performed the hysterectomy. We were finally able to get the surgical wounds closed and finished the surgery. Now that the emergency delivery and surgery were done, we attended to the medical needs of the mother and child. Both were likely septic and we looked to see what antibiotics were available. We found some amoxicillin and gentamicin and gave the mother and child a dose of both. We prayed and thanked the Lord for his provision. What a day for our first day at the village of Lohutok!

Mike McMahon

"God has not called me to be successful. He's called me to be faithful." - Mother Teresa

Prayer Power

Heavenly Father, I thank you for being with us and calming our anxious thoughts. Knowing that you are always with us gives us strength to persevere even under difficult circumstances. In Christ's name, amen.