This is Christina Remponi, one our newest mums in BBB. 29, 3 children, has chosen to ligate after this birth.

Its is such a relief for some of these woman to be able to stop having babies. There is  so much tradition and wrong info amongst the poor. A man here would often think “no more babies means no more intimacy…so he will always say NO”. But the truth is, a ligation often enriches the whole relationship, because neither party has to worry about the unplanned pregnancy, which at times is such an incredible burden for everyone in the family.

This program blesses the whole family.

Another BBB Baby, fat and healthy. Literally born today. Mum, Michelle, is happily chosing to ligate, the proceedure will be done tomorrow.

It is just so good to be able to BIRTH BETTER BABIES. A huge thankyou to all the sponsors and supporters of this program.

Meet our newest BBB Birth…

Christina Remponi, 29, 3 children already. She would like this to be her last one.

This is where we send our BBBaby mothers, it does (REALLY) have a good reputation, and the women actually like going there for the birth!

Maternity Care, women lining up for prenatal checks

The midwives that care for these women are mostly young students from the upper end of Philo culture…….hard work though!

Routine checks are done on the women who attend Fabella

Birth is a very different experience in Manila, no husbands are allowed in the delivery room, nor visitors. Very strict matrons adhere to hospital protocol. It is a very strict, and we would class antiquated, maternity system, compared to the beauty and peace of our Western Births. We have the privilege to enjoy and relish in birth which these women rarely do! They often birth alone or with dozens of other women…..

The next picture is probably an emergency situation, it often astounds me the amount of staff  that attend emergencies, it seems to me extraordinary but it the way they do it! Very little privacy or even THOUGHT for the mother, many are not even informed of why they are being attended as such. Nevertheless I would far prefer my babies to be looked after in this environment with access to blood, anaesthetic  and proper medical attention than to birth in a slum with no access to even running water electricity and trained medical staff!

It is all a matter of perspective!

Baby born and being cared for by a midwife! Every single piece of tape, tube, wipe, disinfectant, medicine, blood transfusion, stitch and needle must be paid for IN FULL by the woman before she is released from hospital (they do have some concessions available but they are limited, every birth must be paid for though!)

If there are no birth complications the women and their babies are transferred to the wards……….

I have actually been in this hospital, which was very difficult as they do not let Non relatives in! What the photos do not show is the armed guards that are at every entrance door scrutinising people’s entrance tickets. If I had even motioned for my camera I would have been escorted out by gunpoint I am sure.

Why armed guards?  What we find very hard to conceive is the vast population in Manila, if the maternity were to open doors to every spouse relative and friend these Birthing women have the hospital would be LITERALLY overrun. Thus the entrances are restricted, visitors are restricted. Even husbands must wait OUTSIDE the hospital until they are called in. A very different system indeed, but understandable in the big picture! There are as many people in the capital of Manila as there is in the  whole of Australia!

It is hard for the Western brain to SEE the good, when we are used to modern spacious and private rooms! Another thing we need to realise is that most Philippino families live in similar conditions……..5 in one bedroom is not uncommon. In fact I know a family who do have separate bedrooms for their kids, but still all prefer to be together in one bedroom! Just different!

Remember this hospital has no air-conditioning either! Just fans!

The newborns are cared for in a similar manner to our babes, there are just soooooooo many of them!

These doctors and midwives are hardworking and dedicated, they work with  a GRIM determination. I think they can see that this is not sustainable nor economically feasible in the long run. Nevertheless they herd, they organise, they spell it out to uneducated and superstitious mothers over and over again, day in and day out! Gotta take my hat off to them!

They fight an unwinnable fight against poverty, lack of education, unrestrained birth, superstition and religious control….to them this day was a GOOD DAY!!!

It just SHOCKS us!

Take a moment to pray for this nation, there are so many changes that need to take place. They need the living Jesus, not a religious form, it is their only hope!

If you want to see this article in full see  One Born Every Minute, Three to a Bed!

Blessings Cath

One of our newest bbb children. Again just the cutest little girls you have ever seen. Twins, yet only one has a problem.

Wonder if the doctors will use her sister as the model when they do the surgery…?

Last sunday in church we dedicated a super cute, chubby, breast fed bbb baby for a very happy and a very saved young mum.

Puts a new perspective on church growth doesn’t it.

How exciting is that, it just seems to me people LOVE to give to the unborn and mothers of Baseco. I am truly grateful to them and God

What a way to end the first 6 months of this year………with more births than we have EVER had. How exciting and awe inspiring!

Blessings all!

Cath

Birthing Better Babies believes (along with the World Health Organisation I may add!) that babies should be breastfed for AT LEAST the first 6 months of life…………it not only gives the children a better chance of survival in developing nations but provides literally HUNDREDS of documented and proven benefits to the mother and child in all areas including health, development, nutrition, intelligence, weight and more.

Nestle is a multi national company, one where multitudes of breastfeeding supplements stem from. There is a very global movement which condemns Nestle for it’s stand of formula production, but especially condemns them for their ethics in promoting formula in developing nations…..where breastfeeding is essential not just important! Their ethics simply boil down to money, they pay to advertise and the nations who need the money succumb to the EASY buck temptation. It comes with a dreadful price though, see my post on Delilah this was a very typical case of malnourishment due to formula feeding…..or the lack of money to formula feed! There are other far more long term problems associated with formula feeding that I will not outline here but you can read in other places, there is a a Boycott Nestle Movement which is alive and well!

The latest “invention” and innovation from Nestle is below, literally an espresso machine for infant formula already released in Switzerland (which has a very low Breastfeeding Rate…..any surprise) it looks so appealing, clean and trendy to boot!

“A unique combination of nutrition innovation, high-tech machine technology and after-sales service.” (Their words not mine….)

“BabyNes is the world’s first comprehensive nutrition system for infants and toddlers, and is based on Nestlé’s latest scientific achievements in baby nutrition and systems technology.”

So basically it has made formula feeding quicker and easier than the breast????? One stop premeasured  formula, heating and voila your babies own Latte? By making formula feeding trendy and convenient we are putting at risk literally millions of children daily and yearly….

My prayer is that Nestle will only distribute to the Developed Nations in the world, where at least people have access to truth touted by Breastfeeding advocates, developing nations and communities like Baseco there is no hope if the Chinese make a quick copy of the technology………..

For my babies sake I hope they are WAY too expensive for my mums to even contemplate, but the Western Babies will suffer!

So sad!

This year has certainly started with an encouraging BANG  for Birthing Better Babies. From our first birth and baby Maria to our newer babies John Vincel……..

Gorgeous Maria Faith and Cherri looking beautiful!

John Vincel and precious Liezel a leader in Jn 14:12 breastfeeding happily!

For one thing Mark has arrived home from Baseco for a well earned rest and sabbatical, with Chris he has enjoyed family, friends and great fellowship with various Aussie churches. Unbeknown to me he has been promoting BBB through Australia as well, thanks Mark!!

From various churches, individual people and even a radio station interview we have already totalled 15 births!

That is amazing because I have not asked for money from anyone or ANY institution or church…..God is really a miracle working God.

I remember musing about BBB way back in Baseco……..the first trip, I really felt that people and women especially could really grab a hold of the idea, it was immediate, grab-able, it was satisfying and tangible. Little did I realise how people would love it!

I admit I was small thinking (ie, even if I sell things on eBay and raise enough money for 2 births I have made a difference!)

HUH I lived in a very small  box!

Well in one year so far since the beginning we have filtered  11 mothers an their babies through BBBabies, that is one a month!

BUT

Even before that initial year was out we had another 15 lined up for 2011, that is another 15 newborns arriving in this world  healthier, happier, smarter and fatter!

There is also pretty fair indication that there is another 20 sponsorships coming above the 15 already confirmed.

I stand in awe of  the love of God and the generosity of the Aussie people for the poor. The Bible says that in giving to the poor and watching over them we will get a blessing

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. “>New International Version, ©2011

These are amazing days! Days that see dreams and visions coming to fruition, and the desires of our hearts realised!

All I did was DID something……….

Only believe!