The Sound of New Life

We were sitting with the Gynecologists when a women came in. A few Nepali words were spoken and this women was moved to the front of the line of patients and seen immediately.

This beautiful women who must have been at least 8 months pregnant was taken into the check up area (a bed and table of supplies curtained off by two sheets) where the doctor started a basic checkup. Or so we thought. 

A few more words of Nepali were exchanged between doctor and nurse, where upon the room became tense and the nurse quickly turned off the humming fan. All was absulutly silent. For at least 10 minutes we all waited to see what would happen next. 

Let me say that at this point we had figured out that the patient was due any day now. We also found out that the baby hadn't been moving for some time and it was now becoming a concern. On top of all that during our 10 tense minutes the doctor was not being able to find a heart beat. 

All of the sudden the doctor came out spitting out instructions in Nepali. All we could do was stand there and not be in the way. A student nurse 'Teeja' quickly rushed out of the room heading down the stairs without a backwards glance. The head nurse 'Susmita' rushed to the phone, were she dialed surgery and scheduled an emergency seesection. 

Teeja was back within minutes holding a small machine. (It was the transportable ultrasound machine but looked more like my old casset player) It was assembled and once again the doctor started the search for life. We all stood there in silence as we listed to the ultrasound machine humming. I started fervently praying. 3 minutes, more praying, then 8 minutes, still nothing but the mothers breathing could be heard over the ultrasound. It's a bit out dated, that old, rusty, outdated ultrasound machine. Then the tiniest of noises was heard. That tiny thump became a regular rythem. It brought back hope and excitement that had left that little room just moments before as we all prepared for the worst.

What a tender mercy and beautiful miracle Keturah and I were part of. How merciful the Lord is to his children all over the world.


Jenessa