Haiti

[cshivey]

I am up late, watching CNN and wishing I could go to Haiti to help. I can't help thinking that there are women there that could use my help. Women who are going to be birthing alone amid such chaos and saddness and death. Women who need someone....and trying to celebrate the miracle of a baby at a time like this. My heart is breaking.....

I know it is a long shot, but what would someone seriously need to do in order to go there? A passport? A plane ticket? Wondering if there is anyone out there that is going?

[raeben]

from what i understand, the US state dept and major relief organizations are currently requesting that non-requested medical personnel do not try and enter the country at this time. this is because flights are precarious and all available resources need to be directed at getting essential personnel and resources into the country. however, once this has taken place, medical personnel will be a great resource to serve the people of haiti in the months to come.

i know there is a couple midwifery schools that focus more on working in developing nations than in the US. i wonder if they might be a good place to check with first to see if they are sending MWs later and if they want any helpful birth attendants/doulas to come too.

[DoulaMegz]

Perhaps you could go once things get settled there. I know that some midwives do international midwifery and perhaps you could find one who is going to Haiti and go with her and her team to help. But yes, a passport, plane ticket, and probably some provisions. I was thinking the same that you were thinking, that these women and babies need help, and I wish there was something I could do with my skills there.

[EricaDoula]

I would love to go there and help out, but I think right now there is an overwhelming amount of personnel. The airports were too busy to accommodate the planes and some had to circle for hours. I think they will need more help in the months to come when the majority of the help has gone.