Getting started...

Earlier this week I sat staring in dismay at the list of 60 e-mails that really do require answers – almost all of them including a subtle chastisement for my poor communication of recent months. And though I know this is not a real substitute, I figured I might as well give blogging a try. The concept unnerves me slightly I confess, it feels slightly too exposed for my taste – but for those who are interested, I’ll see if I’m any better at posting news for all to see than answering individual messages.

So here are a few items to kick off with.

First, may I introduce you to Luthien Tinuviel?

She is a border collie puppy now six weeks old and she moved in with me one week ago. We are learning the process of living together. I’ve discovered that if I don’t have her breakfast ready on time I’m in big trouble and that a 15 minute walk is exhausting for her short legs; she’s learned that if she cocks her head just right or wags her tail she can get away with murder.

Luthien is extremely popular with my neighbors’ children who are glad to come and play with her when I am working.

Second, here is my favourite clinical story from November.

J. is a 22 year old woman in her fourth pregnancy. In August her family thought she looks a bit bigger than the previous three times, so she went to a clinic for an ultrasound scan, and was told that she was expecting twins. This is not a big deal in her community, and certainly not a reason to avoid delivering at home. So one night J. went into labour. After some time she delivered a healthy baby boy, and then prepared for the next child to come out. As they waited, J.'s mother pondered the size of the abdomen and concluded that perhaps there were two babies left inside - and two more babies could mean trouble. After some discussion they agreed to bring J. to the hospital, arriving 8 hours after the first baby had delivered. I then proceded to perform a breech extraction of one baby, delivering a baby boy. A minute later I had my hand around the ankle of the remaining child - and soon we have three screaming boys in the cot - all weighing >2kg. J. herself suffered some bladder trauma and developed a uterine infection (due to the long labour and delay between babies) - both of which resolved nicely during two weeks in hospital.

Yesterday her husband came to collect her and the infants. They will be returning to the older three children - all of whom are also boys.

So, how's that for a first attempt? (At blogging I mean...)