Happy International Day of the Midwife!

Yesterday morning at the AMA Congress I gave a presentation on obstetric fistula in a hotel room where the beds had all been stacked in a corner and 60 women sat on rugs on the floor. It was raining outside and stuffy outside. But the midwives took notes, asked questions, discussed prevention strategies, asked for copies of my powerpoint on their flash drives.

This afternoon we threw a combined International Day of the Midwife/International Nurses Day (May 12) party at my hospital. Like most things here, it was a bit chaotic and started quite late, but turned out remarkably well. We had poetry in Pashto, and speeches from the Nursing Director, our Iranian-trained Nurse Trainer, the head of the OB/Gyn department, the director of our family health clinic, and the chief family practice resident. And then a typical elaborately decorated but quite dry cake. And then lots of kissing and picture taking.

So today I'm feeling especially delighted to be part of this global community of amazing, inspiring women. We have much to celebrate together.

Or cleberate. As the case may be...