Ebel's Blogmail

Hello Folks

It was a busy week in Hagen. I was in for training to become a Route and Strip training Pilot in order to help check in new pilots. So while I was working hard, Sue and kids were enjoying the break, catching up with friends and getting the shopping done. With our break come up in June there was plenty of planning and bookings to do as we prepare to come home for a “rest”. National elections are on in June & July and for those of us due a break we are all taking it when there is the most chance of unrest.

So like I was saying it has been a busy week and was looking forward to the day off. Being Sunday we were just about to get ready for church when Dr Mike called on the radio. There were two pregnant women at Balimo that needed to be medivaced right away. One suffering from preeclampcia (a condition that causes fits and possible coma) the other had been bleeding off and on for a few weeks and had now come in from the bush and was in labour and while the placenta had broken it was blocking the birth canal.

Nick (the other pilot here) his dad (visiting) & I got the airplane refueled and ready to go. Off we (Nick’s Dad & I) went it is an hour and a half to Balimo. There is a hospital there but no doctor seems no one is willing to work in such a remote place, limited electricity, no house, poor connections to outside world etc.

It was a great day no real weather issues, always nice, thanks Lord!

The patients arrived in two ambulances and we got loaded up. One patient was able to sit up the other would have to lie prone on the floor of the airplane on a mattress and tarp then strapped down so not to move.

We then taxied out in the light rain and took off.

Then it got interesting.

We had just got airborne when there was a commotion in the back of the airplane. I was a bit preoccupied so it was a few seconds before I could look back. The very excited midwife was saying the BABY is out, the baby is out, go back, go back!

So around we went and landed. One of the ambulances had seen us coming back so thankfully had returned.

After shutting down I opened the back door of the airplane to reveal the new mom still lying strapped down, lots of blood (glad I put the tarp down), and a very blue little baby girl, still breathing!

Well now the midwife, who was not really prepared for a delivery while enroute to a C Section, was now looking for a knife or scissors to cut the umbilical cord. Well, I have one on my Leatherman tool; you can use it if you want. Okay! So they cut some bandage to tie the cord then cut the cord with my Leatherman and put the baby inside the ambulance.

I do have pictures but you will have to wait until we can get to the internet again and update our Blog.

The rest of the story is a bit more normal as we eventually left with just the other patient and had an uneventful trip home.

Maybe I can get tomorrow off.

Thanks for caring,