The Birth

Photo by Giselle Natassia: [link]

For those with a sensitive stomach you may not wish to view (or read) (You can't actually see anything in this image so before you get offended it's utilising depth of field) Also I've never experienced this in the Western World so I don't mean to offend anyone with that either..

Although this is a natural part of life.. this was probably one of the most horrific experiences I've ever encountered.

Whilst researching and trying to locate Aids victims for my project in Dhaka, Bangladesh, I wandered into a Medical college hospital and discussed with doctors in the gynaecology department my project.

I was waiting for details for a patient who had recently been diagnosed with aids and subsequently relocated to the Hospital for Infectious Diseases. A woman began screaming I was shuffled along and down into a corridor.

Despite the commotion the doctors seemed chirpy and rather chatty. "Have you ever seen a birth miss?"

"Er… no"

"Well this will be a once in a lifetime experience for you!"

Before I could respond I was steered into an adjoining room.
Viewing a birth may well be a one in a lifetime experience but it did not necessarily mean I wished to experience it! X__X

I was not ready for the view that awaited me…
Three bangladeshi women lay holding their legs and letting out blood curdling screams of agony. There was blood everywhere, on the beds, on the floor, on the women…

"Insha'Allah!!" one of the women screeched (Which translates as god willing/ if it is god's will)

They weren't connected to anything, there was no cheers of encouragement and I've never seen a western birth but I presume between births the stirrups/beds are cleaned or at least the blood is removed from the area before another woman is placed on the bed.

I was motioned towards the end of the bed and honestly did not know where to look. I was so distressed by the situation I was breathing rapidly, inhaling and exhaling deeply almost as if I was in labour myself.

Besides utilising a finger to (what I assumed was to detect the babies head) the doctor didn't seem to be doing much else. He would lean back against the wall, chat lazily to me and check his watch whilst the women lay there screaming.

After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, the babies head seemed to randomly emerge and it all happened so quickly from there.

The doctors quickly picked up what looked like kitchen scissors and abruptly cut her open further so the baby could be removed quickly. She screamed as if in absolute agony.

I only caught a split second glimpse of the baby, as soon as it was completely removed the baby was quickly placed on a silver tray and transported away to another room. The doctor looked back at me with a wide toothy grin and said "did you get many photos??"

To be honest I wasn't even aware that I was allowed to take photos let alone be capable of peeling myself from that spot to take out my camera as I was immobile due to sheer shock.

As they began stitching the mother back up, I took this photograph. Needless to say.. I won't be having children anytime soon!