Kim's Trip to India

Kim McQuoid

This year was my fifth journey back to India. I worked with a non for profit organization called Fernandez Foundation. My focus this time was to open our simulation lab to outside midwifery schools in Talangans India and continue staff development. The common thread in all of my work is to give respectful care. The mother is the center of all that we do.

A large part of the project was to create a simulation manual on midwifery skills and Obstetrical Emergencies. The goals in the simulation lab is to create a safe environment where learners can practice their knowledge base, technical base and behavior base skills, to give safe care, increase positive birth experience for mothers and improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

Staff development was another major focus. Target audience was midwives, midwifery students, OBs and labor nurses. Staff development included putting on refresher trainings in helping babies breath and optimal birth position to decrease cesarean section rates. Also I put on simulations in the three hospitals Fernandez hospitals. Simulations were on preeclampsia/eclampsia , postpartum hemorrhage, and shoulder dystocia.

It is difficult to put into words what an honor it is to work in another country. To be a part of something bigger than yourself. I am deeply humbled when I am apart of a woman’s birth. At that moment that woman and her family are the most important thing in the world. As a midwife, we are current in our skills. Equally, we give our mothers support, encouragement and a safe place for her to birth her babies.