Hmmm, maybe I'm on a roll... two posts in two days? am I sickening for something?

I'm absolutely delighted to see that this last post has had 170 views since yesterday morning, and it's only 11am now. Isn't that fantastic. But who's reading it? I'm intrigued to know what the most important/ influential/ inspiring aspects are for you.

In the past, this blog has helped fellow UK and global midwives/students gain insight into Nepal's state of midwifery, and I've received emails requesting specific information, or just in support of networking. Almost all of those midwives have followed our contact up with a trip out to Nepal.

I've also had a few western families who are living out there and are looking for midwives to attend them during their births. This is tricky as I know of NO independently practicing midwives in the Kathmandu valley. What I suggest to these families, is that I forward their details to the wonderful nurse-midwives at APS. Rashmi and her colleagues are, time permitting, generally happy to discuss options for place of birth, and are familiar with our preferences. Water birth in Kathmandu is no easy task, but it HAS been done!

If YOU are catching babies in Nepal, and especially if you can help other western families out, please do get in touch. If you are passionate about respectful maternity care, and women's issues in general, consider getting in touch with White Ribbon Alliance Nepal. If you have a story to share about your birth experience in Nepal, what made it good/traumatic, I'd really like to hear about it.

Lad born into family of carvers at Baktapur. There are carvers,
artists painting 'Thanka', and potters. All in Baktapur belong to
one of these crafts. An amazing place to visit.

Boudhanath

View from bridge at Kalanki crossroads. This is the dirtiest, stinkiest, noisiest, most nepaliest place
 in the Kathmandu valley. And I LOVE it!

Village mass-production in a Baktapur street. There are potters and basic wheels in the back streets. These pots are laid out to dry before being fired in a massive outside kiln of wood and straw.

New baby for Keshab and Rashmi.

Near Nagarkot

Classic example of need for dignity and respect. It isn't uncommon to have a obstetric consultation with others waiting in the same room. Women and their pregnancies become public property and they leave all possibility of dignity behind at home.

One of the oldest buildings in Nepal. Few have survived onslaught of earthquakes. This is in Baktapur, and it's beautiful.

Nurses, and students, and UK student Sophie in the
 postnatal ward at TU hospital.

At Boudhanath. White lady. White hair. I wonder who's sightseeing who!