Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Good morning!

I had every intention of checking in this weekend, but power outages and patients thwarted me, so here we are! Saturday was a lovely relaxing day, most of it spent teaching knitting to the new midwives.

I quickly depleted most of my knitting supplies and I'm glad I brought so much yarn on this trip. By Saturday evening, a few pregnant mothers started trickling into the birth center. I spent the evening and most of Sunday finishing up some knitting projects and keeping my knee elevated. My plan was to finish a baby blanket, review my lessons for Monday, and write. And then the power went out, and Susan showed up at my door with two patients that she wanted me to back-scan. Back scanning is when someone has already scanned the patient, so I scan again, to confirm their findings. The most emergent case was a mother who had been leaking fluid since last month. She had a scan 2 weeks ago at another clinic, and they told her she had fluid and to get rechecked in a couple of weeks. She was actually here because her friend was in labor, but she happened to talk to Susan about her history, so Susan gave her an ultrasound and found that she had an-hydramnios, no amniotic fluid. She was approximately 30 weeks pregnant; baby had no fluid and was in a transverse position. There was no way the baby could be manipulated into a cephalic position for delivery, so a cesarean section was eminent and although the weight of the baby (calculated by measurements) was high enough for the baby to have a fighting chance, it would need a NICU. The mother wanted to call her husband before we helped her sort out transport for the trip to Lacor hospital. Finally, she agreed to let us take her to the hospital in the ambulance. In the meantime, her pregnant friend who was in active labor, decided she did not want to stay and the birth center to deliver if here friend wasn't here. So, she also went to Lacor. I scanned the second patient, which ended up being fine, then headed back to my powerless hut for the rest of the night.

The power stayed out until late Monday afternoon, so lectures and a quiz were given with the students seated around my computer. After the lunch break the power returned and we began scanning patients. We had enough patients, along with a couple of emergent cases, to keep the group busy until a bit after 6pm. I remained with 2 of the students to finish an ultrasound, then went to the birth center to check on another patient. I finally was able to grab a quick and refreshing shower, have some dinner, and it was 8pm. Whew! 

Lectures will continue today and tomorrow, Thursday will be a review for the written exam, which will take place on Friday. The remaining 2 weeks will be for scanning only, which is when most of them will pick up the majority of their scanning skills. 

I appreciate the comments left on my blog posts, but as usual, I cannot seem to log into my account to respond when I am here in Uganda. So, I will attempt to answer any questions here! Diane, you had questions about the Ugandan teaching methods. I actually had a lengthy conversation with Max and Sister about this. Both of them told me stories of professors designing exams in order to humiliate their students and rejoicing in their failure when they didn't do well. There were no opportunities for class discussions or for students to ask questions. Information was distributed in a verbal manner, and students were expected to memorize and regurgitate. I remember this from high school in a few of my classes, and it did not go well. This class has quickly welcomed my "alternative" teaching style, and I have tried to be flexible, changing my explanations when they are not clear and welcoming input from the students. I do have one student that seems to be hell bent on being a distraction to her classmates, and unfortunately for her, I had to call her out in class when I was trying to explain something critical to the class. I have no issue with the midwives enjoying themselves during scanning, but the rest of the group understand when it's time to be serious and she does not seem to take anything seriously. She is a late add-on and allowing her into the class was an olive branch to the nuns next door where she works, Sister and I discussed the situation, she agreed with my assessment and said that this has been a problem with her in the past, and Sister said she will talk with her. I am hoping she gets it together, otherwise she will be asked to leave. 

I have to set up the classroom for the day, so I am signing off, but I will leave you more photos! Thanks for tagging along.

Much love, Jo/MB

Morning visitors!

One of my roommates.

Making frybread in the outdoor kitchen.

Sunrise

Aloya, Zilla's daughter, was very upset
that she did not get a scarf, so my Sunday
knitting project was this poncho. As is 
often the case with toddlers, she loved it...
then moved on to something else. 😂

This sweet pup is as close to a "pet" as I've seen
here. She has learned that being sweet, especially
to the children, means more food!

Mendazi, a fried doughnut, made with 
corn flour and very dense.

Our weather for the week.