Labor ward

Obstetrics and gynecology has been an interesting experience. Just as in the SICU, many aspects are similar but a lot is different. From my point of view one of the most striking differences is the lack of anesthesia! Here the women deal with their pain and do not complain. There is local anesthetic given for episiotomies and opioids are used if analgesia is needed, but for the most part it is all natural. American women would not last long here! Another thing that shocked Vida and I is the use of lateral episiotomies. It looks so barbaric, so painful, and so damaging to musculature! However, we have been equally impressed with the residents' ability to quickly and effectively repair the laceration.

As in the US the Labor ward is a happy place. It is refreshing to see the happy new mothers, glowing with pride. Unfortunately, there really is not much modesty here. The ladies are lined up on either wall in a room maybe 25 feet in width, about 20 patients in one room. There are sheets pulled to provide "privacy" but it is pretty easy to see through the gaps between the sheets. (The sign outside the door of this unit reads "Low cost effective care unit.") During labor the women lay on plastic (that is washed off and re-used) and the doctors wear plastic aprons, all of the linens are washed and re-used as well. We really are spoiled in the US!