CQU students overcome language barrier to deliver baby in Nepal

On their recent health placement in Nepal, CQU Nursing and Midwifery students and supervising staff embraced the challenge of helping deliver babies with only limited resources and limited language to communicate. Supervisor Amanda Hackett said one of the deliveries was quite traumatic with local medical staff having to resuscitate the new born baby.

"After several minutes they eventually got the baby to breathe much to our relief," Amanda said.

The group was also amazed at the rapport that can be developed with locals under trying circumstances when you don't even speak the same language.

The group of midwives also had the opportunity to speak with local women in the village about birthing and antenatal/postnatal traditions and care. After hearing the women's stories (with the aid of a translator) one of the students even got up and did a demonstration of birthing and positions for birth that we use in Australia. How’s that for comparing notes! The undergraduate students also had the chance to attend to blood pressures for the doctors before patients were treated at a health camp.

Prior to the placement, the CQU students did an amazing job fundraising for resources which they bought on arrival in country. The group then gave donations of text books, pencils, erasers, a cricket set, soccer ball, basket ball, a world globe and some educational posters. Some also gave out toothbrushes and did some oral health education with the younger ones. And the locals weren’t the only ones who benefitted.

"it was fun because everyone joined in and the little ones were soooo cute!!!,” Amanda said.

Despite the long days in the hospitals and clinics, the girls also managed to make the most of their time in Pokhara getting massages, shopping, relaxing and eating out. A few of the girls also went out for dinner, drinks and dancing!