Kharmis and his mom prepared for surgery while our surgical team search the town of Musoma looking for orthopedic supplies. It was highly important that we had the best orthopedic equipment to working on this young and very ill child. The infection he had acquired due to his fractured leg was close to taking his life. Our mission had become to use our gifts of health care to serve Kharmis and his mother. We knew we were there for this small boy. God was using us for him, he had purpose.
Our first destination was the government hospital, we were in search of surgical supplies specifically for Kharmis. Surely, the hospital would have the specialty supplies and perhaps even a surgeon to complete the surgery. The town of Musoma had well over 150,000 people residing here, surely they would have the necessary equipment.
Unfortunately, meeting with the hospital director proved differently. Not only were there no surgeons, there were no orthopedic supplies in the area. Baffled, we did not give up hope or become frustrated with the current system, we just stood back and waited. Dr. Sayeg leaned over and asked, “Can we just run down to home depot and get a saw?”
Smiling I replied, “there is no home depot here in town”.
“Surely, we can get a saw here, there are trees” he replied. We jumped in the car and started looking everywhere we possibly good for a vendor who carried saws.
Trekking crowded streets of people, cars and going to building after building, and vendor after vendor we finally found what we were searching for a hacksaw. Relatively new and in “good shape”, we purchased it for about $10.00 US dollars. At home, we would use this “hacksaw” to prune a young tree, or thicken bush of brush. Today we planned to sterilize it and use it for surgery. We had one final stop before heading back to the Coptic Hospital, Our last stop was a small western type grocery where we purchase a small and very expensive liter of bleach, our sterilizing agent.
Returning to the hospital, we began to prep for tomorrow’s surgery. Cleaning the surgical area, soaking instruments and rounding up an anesthesia were among the items we needed to accomplish in preparation for the next day. Everything was ready, except, our anesthesia. Unfortunately, we were faced with yet another hurdle to leap across. There were no anesthesiologist, or operating anesthesia units in which to administer anesthesia in the area. Dr. Sayeg threw up his arms and replied “you have got to be kidding.
“Seriously” he added, “how does anyone do surgery here?” Frustration began to mount as the team learned from the Coptic hospital director that all surgeries performed here were only cesarean sections and only on an emergent basis. They were completed with the use of spinal anesthesia. The cesarean section rate at this small hospital was less than 5% of all delivers, much unlike the growing rate in the US.
“who does the spinal analgesic then, perhaps they could come and help us” Dr McGhee inquired. The director left to make the necessary calls. Upon his return he promised to have man come tomorrow and aid by giving a spinal to any clients we desired for surgical care. His cost was $10 US dollars per case, just like the hacksaw. We agreed immediately! Much to our surprise we later learned, that this man was not an anesthesiologist. He shared that he had never received any formal training, he learned because someone taught him based on need alone. We were thankful for his help..
Sleep came quickly as the team rose and did final preparation for the ten different planned surgical cases. Each person prepped and their surgeries went very well. Hernia repairs, tumors removed and much more. Finally, the time came for Kharmis, our team looked at the only orthopedic surgical items available and halted for a moment of silence. With God’s help, we knew that, Dr. Sayeg could work on this small grossly infected bone and perform a safe surgery and quality amputation on this small boy.
Kharmis small body was prepped. Surgical instruments were being sterilized, so the hospital director, and OB-GYN surgeon offered their 4 surgical packs to be used. Dr. Sayeg agreed. The first pack was opened and noted to be specifically for GYN surgery, “this wont help” stated Dr. Sayeg. The pack was removed from the table.
The second surgical pack was opened and silence filled the room as all eyes stared at the instruments. “Oh my GOD, I can’t believe what I am seeing, Oh my God, it is a miracle” shouted Dr. Sayeg and the entire American team began shouting “YAHOO”.
The OB/GYN stood nearby, speechless as tears welled in his eyes he added “ I am not sure where did these instruments came from” as he lifted from the pack the orthopedic surgical instruments they needed.
Amazed at the miracle, the team praised God and moved into action. They complete the surgery within 15 minutes successfully and with the use of the proper instruments.
Kharmis, recovered well with his mother, and within 2 hours was eating rice, vegetables and meat.
God is good, and meets us in our time of need. Pictured is the surgical team at work on Kharmis with the miraculous OB surgical pack containing orthopedic bone cutters.

“Cathy, Cathy, please come here, hurry, you have got to see this” were the words from Dr. William Smock (Bill). I was working in our small pharmacy preparing vitamins and malaria medications to be given to every woman and child presenting when Bill frantically began calling my name.
“In here”, I shouted as I finished a bag of vitamins and reached for another. We had at least 400 people coming today, much work to accomplish.
“Cathy, come on, you won’t believe this” he said as he burst through the doors reaching for my arm. I jumped up and followed him into one of the small clinic rooms at the Makoko Center in Musoma, Tanzania.
As I entered the room my eyes shifted to a small boy sitting on the exam table. His rounded black Tanzanian face looked downward, a red hue of color gleam his hair as he perched his massively deformed right leg onto his left. My eyes focused as I drew closer to him; obviously afraid he did not lift his eyes to mine he looked down, and the only movement I could see from him was the slow rising and falling of his chest with each small breath he took. His lower right leg was obviously fractured, swollen and growly deformed. Protruding through his pants was a white object about 6 inches long and a good2cm in diameter.
“What is the impelled object in his leg Bill?” I asked.
“It is his tibia, Cathy” Bill replied. Stunned I moved closer at the small framed boy who appeared to be around 5 years old. It was obvious that his tibia, the larger of the two lower leg bones was protruding through his leg. The bone was dry, white and no longer had a blood supply. It was malformed and out of place. The smell of gangrene and necrosis filled my nostrils as I assessed his injury, an obvious old injury.
Bill, rubbing his balding head, took a deep breath and added “this boy needs surgery, he will die, he needs his leg amputated”.
“Silence filled the air, I then said; let me call Dr. Ayoub Sayeg, a plastic surgeon who had joined our team from Dearborn, MI. “he may be willing to aid here”. Dr. S was currently working at another clinic doing reconstructive surgeries. The OR he was using had been closed for months by the Tanzanian government for a variety of reasons. He was working with local anesthesia and spinal blocks. There was no general anesthesia available in the area, not even the main governmental hospital. Our surgical team consisted of Dr. S., Dr. Elizabeth Mcghee from Ortonville, MI, and Kim Harter, a labor & delivery nurse from Wichita, KS. The team was actually perfect, as Dr. Mcghee was very experienced in the OR and Kim as an OR nurse for cesarean sections in the states. Their biggest obstacles were no general anesthesia and managing comfort for all the people they served.
I walked out of the room to find a phone to call Dr. S., and much to my amazement; they just entered the Makoko Center clinic to check in with us. I was so surprised to see them, we were not planning to see them until dark for a variety of reasons, mainly to get the best use of daylight hours. Plus trying to call someone seemed problematic because not everyone has a phone, nor are they readily available, frustration easily mounts just trying to reach them through translators, let alone finding car to take you or use, coupled with poor roads adds to communication faux paux, plus a variety of other developing country issues. One could consider this a coincidence of them walking in the building at this time; we now view this as a “god thing”, or intervention, maybe even Miracle #1.
The surgical team assessed the boy. Dr. S. stated “I can do this”. Looking back, we smile at his confidence and courage, knowing that the mountain he agreed to trek maybe very difficult to climb.
We admitted the small boy to the Makoko Center clinic/hospital for overnight antibiotics and surgical preparation. His mother is briefed by the team, using translators to discuss the needed surgery, antibiotics, outcomes and she agreed immediately. The boy was prepared, not like other surgical patients in the USA, only like those in Tanzania. Kim placed an IV in his hand and administered antibiotics. She instructed them not to let him eat or drink anything past dark, not realizing at the time, the boy or his mother had not eaten for over two days as it was. His fractured leg and open wound was not prepared for surgery with betadine scrub and sterile technique; it remained untouched, his bone still emerging from his soiled pants awaiting the needed surgery.
We all ask for God to intervene…..

Part II the mothers story
Part III the surgery coming soon…………for more information about participating on a medical Missions Outreach reach, please contact Matt at Matt.Gordon@mercyandtruth.com

Saving Money for Kansas moms is one objective at New Birth Company.  ACTUALLY saving YOU money, no matter where you live!

Over the last several months, we have actively been pursuing our elected officials to help them understand how we can save Kansans and Missourians money!  We are talking for you!  Yes choosing a birth center saves you A LOT of precious dollars.  Often, we, as consumers, just trust our insurance “to cover” the expenses of health care including the birth of our babies.  The pendulum has shifted and now we can not really trust that expenses are covered.  We are “surprised” by the bill in the mail requiring thousands of dollars including what you must pay.  Many insurance require you  to pay a percentage of that bill.  IF your bill is $12,500 (average normal birth cost in KC area hospitals) and you have to pay 20-30% you are paying out of pocket between $2500-$3750.  WOW, that is more than the costs of the birth center facility fee itself!

LOOK At your OPTIONS closely—Birth Centers SAVE YOU MONEY and are a safe excellent choice.  Below I am including some talking points for you to consider using when talking to your employer, or insurance broker about saving money and choosing birth centers!

Did you know that approximately 1 percent of births in the United States take place in non-hospital settings. Of such births, in 2008, only 28 percent occurred in birth centers and 65 percent were home births. Hospitals remain the setting of delivery for 99 percent of all births despite the following findings:

(A)      Multiple studies have demonstrated that for women who meet criteria to be considered at low risk for obstetrical complications, labor and delivery at a birth center can result in higher patient satisfaction and equivalent or better outcomes than in-hospital birth.

(B)      Studies have consistently found that for low-risk mothers, planned home birth had the same outcomes as hospital births for similar risk women, but with fewer costly and often preventable interventions.

(C)      In a nationwide comparison of birth center costs to hospital costs, it is  that if 100,000 births were attended in birth centers, access to care would be greatly improved, and annual savings would total more than $314,000,000. 

The growing shortage of maternity health care professionals and childbirth facilities is creating a serious obstacle to timely and adequate maternity health care for women, particularly in rural areas and the inner cities.

The two most common conditions paid for by Medicaid in 2007 were pregnancy and childbirth (28%) and newborns (26%), which together accounted for 53% of hospital discharges billed to Medicaid.  The two most costly conditions billed to Medicaid in 2008 were ‘mother’s pregnancy and delivery’ and  care for ‘newborn infants, which together accounted for 26% of all Medicaid expenditures .  Furthermore, did you know that Maternity care facility charges vary significantly by setting and type of birth –

(A)      In 2008, the average charge for a hospital cesarean birth with complications was $20,080, and without complications was $14,900;

(B)      In 2008, the average charge for a hospital vaginal birth with complications was $11,410, and without complications was $8,920; and

(C)      in 2010, the average charge for a birth center vaginal birth was $2,277.

Our recommendations and solutions are specific to reducing the 600M spent annually on Children, Families & Pregnant Women are:

• Encourage prenatal care to begin with Midwives
• Encourage Birth to occur in one of the licensed birth centers within the state of Kansas.
• Encourage Birth Attendants to reduce inductions and allow women to carry their babies to the actual due date.
• Encourage physicians to collaborate with Certified Nurse Midwives so Kansas can increase the  provider workforce in the inner city and rural health care shortage areas.
• Consider encouraging more birth centers to develop and operate within the state of Kansas
• Consider working with Private insurance brokers are decreasing malpractice premiums to providers who accept Medicaid clients.

WOWOWOW what a day!  Kendra and I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Vic Finch, Team supervisor of Building safety for Overland Park Planning and Development, and Mr. Dave Doljac, Senior Plans Examiner.  It was fun and absolutely great to meet with both of these men who are highly concerned for everyone’s safety as well the quality of facility you are choosing with New Birth Company.

I personally enjoyed sharing our passion and love for birth centers as well as the midwifery scope of care.  Since there are no other birth centers in Overland Park, it is really hard for people to understand the different culture a birth center has.  We took the time to diagram and explain how birth centers are different from hospitals.  ALSO, how the midwifery model of care is NOT drive by productivity but more through the process of relationships with the families we serve.

We discussed our values of the prenatal clinic visit.  One of the values has to do with the time you spend with your midwife rather than the time you spend waiting on your midwife.  We do NOT want you waiting on us, in the “waiting room” or clinic room.  Our goal and standard is that you to come in and enjoy the beautiful planned community room briefly then go back for your appointment as planned.  The maximum time in the clinic will be the face to face time with your midwife!!!! This is important to us…we value your time!

Well after 2 hours of chatting, Kendra and I headed out to Quick Trip!  Yep, a cool drink in the summer does the body good!  Mr. Finch and Doljac emailed us some wonderful comments soooooo, our fabulous architect Joel Perry will make a few design changes and resubmit the permit!

I am happy with today’s meeting!!!!

We only have a few birth days!  Our bodies are born as girls and mature into women with the ability to give birth.  We only give birth a few times in our lives.  Therefore, we need to focus on birth as a unique, valued time in a woman’s live where we celebrate the miracle and blessing of birth. A BIRTH day is a day of life, celebration and family!

Choosing the best setting for your birth day is very important.  Due to incredible marketing, hospitals rank as the number one birth option for women and their families to use to give birth.  Out of hospital births are not as common but on a rapid rise, they are like on of our best kept secrets.  There are a myriad of reasons  one might  choose an out of hospital birth as opposed to a hospital birth.  Primarily men and women are now leaning towards more affordable birth options while reducing the risks to mothers and babies.

Sadly the number on risk to a woman in labor is surgical intervention.  Failed induction, adverse response to induction and fear are the number one reasons that surgical births are occurring.   Surgical births is also very expensive and increases the risks for women and their babies after delivery with infection, respiratory illness, blood clots, prolonged hospitalization, undue pain etc., etc. etc.

CHOOSING THE BEST SETTING FOR YOU IS VERY IMPORTANT.  ONE OF THE

BIGGEST DETERRENTS TO MAKING YOUR CHOICE MAY BE YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY.

Lets talk a little about how you can choose your birth setting.

• Check out your options, visit local birth centers, take a tour, ask them how they handle safety.
• Talk to the midwives, ask about their philosophy of birth, how they handle emergencies, when are they present for you birth.
• Talk to the doctors, ask about their philosophy of birth, how they handle emergencies, when are they present for your birth.
• ASK EVERYONE ABOUT COSTS.  Remember the costs of the hospital are called facility fees, asked about other fees too!  Like the costs of the pediatrician, the medicines, the doctor or midwife, the room, anesthesia, there are a lot of “hidden costs” get it all in writing.

1. Did you know that the “average” cost for a natural vaginal birth in the hospital here in Kansas City is $12,500.00.
2. Did you know that the “average” cost for a natural vaginal birth at a birth center in the Kansas City area is $4500…and this cost INCLUDES the fee for your midwife, your baby, any medications used during birth or immediately after birth, all NB screening, aromatherapy, nutrition, water birth, staff, and much more.
3. Did you know that birth center staff must be certified like hospital staff in Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and Neonatal resuscitation?
4. Did you know that birth centers have available medications for you if you need an IV, treatment for infection such as GBS, treatment for hemorrhage and many other concerns of  delivery?
5. Did you know that our states both Kansas and Missouri license free standing birth centers (and I am talking about those who are NOT part of a hospital)?
6. Did you know that government based health care insurance plans credential birth centers.  In other words reimburse them for services they offer?
7. Did you know that birth centers do work with hospitals and OB/GYNs if you need more help getting your baby born or need to transfer your care?  They are prepared in emergencies and are ready if and when one may happen.

So, if you are considering choosing an out of hospital birth setting, and your insurance company is telling you to “pick a hospital”, let them know the 7 statements I wrote above.    You are the consumer of the insurance plan you carry—ask them to consider saving MORE money by adding  a birth center to their listing of birth options.  They will save money and you will have an incredible birth day!

Let me know your thoughts!  There is SO much to talk about and I have just touched the tip of a BIG ICEBERG here!

Ciao!

This weekend is proven to be worth waiting for!  Giving birth this Mother’s Day weekend, at 41 weeks and 5 days proved to be a redemptive, empowering, INCREDIBLE, and absolutely fantastic!  I was given permission to share this story with you today.  Together midwives and mothers can make INCREDIBLE BIRTH DAYS!

Four years ago,  our momma,  gave birth to her first born by cesarean section.  Unfortunately the baby was breech and failed to turn therefore the only option she was given was to deliver her baby by means of major surgery.  That birth left her void.  Holding her baby was not enough, she missed the opportunity to immediately bond with him, to cuddle him and to breastfeed.  Her arms were momentarily empty amidst the routine standards of care in the hospital.  She yearned for more.

She learned that she had a desire  to give birth naturally without surgery, medications, minimal interventions.  Pregnant with her second baby she sought out a very natural approach with a home birth midwife and doula.   Talking openly of the loving care of her midwife and doula,  she passionately shared they coached and guided her during labor. Her hopes for a home birth were sabotaged by  fear, anxiety, and assumed poor position of the baby.  Frustrations  mounted during labor and her progress stalled.  She was encouraged by her midwife to go to the hospital to give birth because she may need intervention.

Her doula took her to a local hospital near her home. Unfortunately, her midwife, did not have a physician to accept her care she entered the hospital through the emergency department.  In active labor, dialated 10 centimeters she was immediately they were halted and told,

“we are sorry, we do not offer vaginal births after Cesarean (VBAC’s) here”Shock penetrated her inner most being coupled with rejection and humiliation just as the next contraction mounted and surged through her body.  Crying out to God for help……….she felt so abandoned.

One of the department physicians had compassion on her and decided to accept her into care and evaluate her.  Realizing she was ready to give birth, they prepared for delivery.   Victoriously she did give birth on this day, vaginally, but had procedures and interventions done to her body she was not prepared for. Immediately after birth, her baby was whisked off to the nursery for observation “in case of infection”.  Again, her arms were empty, and she longed to hold, cuddle and snuggle the newborn.

TODAY:  It is mother’s day weekend, and baby number three is ready to come into the world.  This beautiful incredible woman gave birth today! The environment was gentle, soft music echoed through the background and sweet aromas filled the air.  There was no refusals today, no fear, not anxiety actually quite the opposite.  Today, welcoming arms and hugs to greet her and guide her.  The environment open for her to deliver her baby into her own hands.  He was born with his arms up at his face and fist clenched ready to take on the world.  There was no intervention needed, no IV, no medication, no procedures, and no reason to be concerned of infection.  A beautiful vigorous healthy boy was born as his mother guided his head out and into her arms……it was AMAZING!

I am honored and blessed today because I got to be there and witness this INCREDIBLE BIRTH DAY!  Thank you to this beautiful family for allowing me into their lives and being part of a beautiful birth today!

Rhythmic Music and New Birth Company have partnered to bring you the premiere most innovative relaxation for pregnancy and birth.  Together we have mastered music, rhythm, words and Mom’s Belly ointment to help guide you holistically with a healthy pregnancy.

Prolonged stress can deplete our immune system and hinder our body’s ability to function.  Stress can occur in a variety or areas: workplace, home, financial, and even being pregnant.  Our bodies change and adapt so much during pregnancy, it is often very hard to relax and allow total freedom of our minds to rest.

We are a very busy culture, and finding rest is often difficult.  Because when we do stop and rest, we can not stop thinking.  We think about our work, our children, what we need to prepare for dinner, our babies, and on and on.

This CD was made just for you.  LISTEN to INCREDIBLE BIRTH DAY music at anytime you need to DE-stress and want to focus on your baby.  Use the belly cream to sooth your growing skin and touch your baby before it is born.

Our MOM’s products are made at New Birth Company by our midwives.  We have spent years preparing and designing the products to meet your needs as a mother. They are prepared with natural healing products from our gardens to you.

We care about you and want you to experience an INCREDIBLE BIRTH DAY.

You can order the CD and the belly cream from NEW BIRTH COMPANY by going to the website.  It the shopping cart is not up, go ahead and send us an email with your name, address, and phone number.  We will call you and take your credit card information over the phone.

The cost are:

INCREDIBLE BIRTH DAY CD is $15.00,plus sales tax and shipping if needed

Mom’s Belly Ointment is $15.00,plus sales tax and shipping if needed

We are offering BOTH The Mom’s Belly Ointment and Incredible Birth CD together  for $25.00 plus sales tax and shipping if needed.

COMING SOON: FAITH GUIDED- INCREDIBLE BIRTH CD featuring rhythmic music through hymns and empowering scripture

We talk a lot about a”birth paradigm” in America, and while doing so one must really consider what is a “paradigm”.  A paradigm is really all the elements or concepts that evolve and occur in an event.  Therefore I truly ponder about the events of birth and the paradigm of birth in America.  Keeping in mind that 90% of all birth in America are happening in hospitals. 

Hospitals care for “Sick” people, and only in America are well people engaged in using a hospital for a well event.  Not only is the event well, it is an impacting day that could change the lives of the participants.  In other words, all people involved in the birth will be changes based on the events (paradigms) that occurred during the time it started and finished.  The key players of the event  are “mom, dad and baby”.  However, the event occurs in a setting that overpowers the individual 90% of the time, making the occurrence dictated from a perspective of illness, since hospitals are the setting and sick people go to hospitals.Pictured  is a photo of an instrument table brought in to ALL normal births…how does it make you feel? SICK or something?

CHANGING  BIRTH PARADIGM, and regaining healthly behaviors of wellness, key players empowerment and ownership of the event is the New BIrth Company goal.  WE WANT TO BE CHANGE AGENTS!

This week, we signed on our 1.8 million dollar plan to build out the most incredible welcoming and safe birth center for families of our community.  We want to make a change in the birth paradigm in Kansas City for America.  Pictured here is our key players whom we are trusting with us to change the birth paradigm.  It is a silly picture because we are so excited!

 Please pray for us, and our investors as they venture into this time with us.