India and more

We have finished the workshops in Hyderabad and it is hard to find words that describe what these days have been for us.
The women who attended the Teaching Skills Workshop taught us so much. The presentations they were required to do as part of the workshop, gave evidence of the amazing educators they are going to be. I was glad that we only really had to say goodbye to one of them, the OB from Bangalore. All the others were able to stay for the Doula Skills workshop we had on Monday.
We ended the workshop on Saturday with a tour of the hospital and the Birthing Centre. When you see the pictures, you will realize how much of an achievement this has been for Dr Vijaya and her husband Krishnan. It is one small step but knowing them and seeing what they have accomplished, know it is only the beginning of giant steps for the future of birthing families in India! Dr Jayanthia is the OB who runs the hospital and who gave them the opportunity to transform the space that is now Healthy Mother's Birthing Centre. She came for all three days of the workshop as well as the Doula Skills Workshop and made sure I knew that the workshops have already changed some of her practices!
Some of the routine practices here are shaving, enemas, episiotomies, oxytocin administered while moms are pushing and fundal pressure to get the babies out as soon as possible and vigorous preparation of breasts for breastfeeding. Babies are immediately taken to be cleaned, weighed, vit K and eye treatment and then given to the mother.
Dr Vijaya has been modeling the Lamaze best birth practices by her prenatal education and care of the women during labour and birth and in turn have seen many of these "not best birth practices" gradually change.
When we arrived at the hospital, some of the doctors, nursing staff and housekeepers were there to greet us and present Brea and I will huge fresh flower leis that came down to our knees! They treated us like we were royalty and followed us throughout the tour with big smiles and bowing.
Dr Vijaya and Jayanthia arranged for the doctors, nurses and housekeepers who work in the birthing centre to take the Doula Skills Workshop. No small feat to arrange for them to have the day off and you could tell by their faces when they came, that they had no idea what to expect. I took direction from Vijaya as to what would be the best information for them and for the time we had. I cannot tell you how much fun we had - I was so thrilled that they got me and my sense of humour! They warmed up right away and the hands on part of the afternoon included Pramila (from Salem) singing classincal Indian while Dr Jayanthia and one of the nurses demonstrated their Indian dancing skills! They had us all joining in and our laughter had Vijaya's husband coming in and asking "is this usually part of your doula training??" No one was in any hurry to leave, they all stayed to help us pack up and with hugs and tears we ended our day.
One more quick story ....... Pramila, the psychologist and her best friend Deepa came by bus and plane from Salem. Deepa's husband insisted that she attend with Pramila and even accompanied them. Deepa told us that when they went back to the hotel, her husband would want all the details of the day. She demonstrated how she would immitate me and she had my gestures and expressions down to a T and had us in gales of laughter. It was so hilarious to see this beautiful Indian woman in her traditional dress mimic me! They gave me this Indian figure that has a baby on her shoulder and the baby is holding a dove. They said it was me, with Brea on my shoulder and we are bringing the message of not just good birth practices but peaceful and spiritual birth practices to India! Saturday was the festival of friendship and they gave all of us friendship bracelets. They were definitely two kindred spirits!!!
On Sunday we were given the tour of Hyderabad and what a city of contrasts! The influence of the IT boom and all the money that this has brought to certain areas - new buildings, high rises are springing up everywhere and along side them the tents and squallor of hundreds of migrant workers. Cattle wander on the streets and Brea cannot get the image of a goat being slaughtered on the sidewalk as just part of the street markets along with fruits, vegetables and fish! The lake that is across the street from our hotel where high fences are erected and suicide patrols try and deter the many who attempt suicide on a daily basis ....... family of five on a motorbike, women bent over sweeping the streets with short brooms, monkeys, lizards and the incredible colours ........ a city of contrasts indeed!
We leave for Mumbai tomorrow and can hardly wait to see what is in store for us!
Pictures to follow!