June News

There is a moment, a period of a few hours after the birth of a baby that is extremely unique. The mother and baby are surrounded by an invisible bond- a cloud of adoration and devotion between mother and baby. I have attended some difficult births and without exception the only concern of the mother is for her baby. One such mother took her baby on her chest after she had a long, difficult labour and delivery and her first words to her baby was “sorry baby, sorry, sorry. I have met mothers giving birth to their tenth or more babies that have this same look of reverence when they look at their newborns as the mother of a first child. This is by far the best part of doing what we do, to share in this, to meet these women at this vulnerable, gentle time, to encourage them and congratulate them.

I have often wondered if any of the moms we meet at Helderberg Hospital or Macassar end up abandoning their babies. We have all heard of the dreadful statistics of abandoned babies in the Cape. In 2010 over 450 babies were abandoned in and around Cape Town. I truly hope that none of ‘our’ moms end up abandoning their babies. I genuinely believe that we do make a difference, that our prayer and blessing and gift gives the mother hope and conveys to the mother that her baby is special and that she is special.

There are many theories and lots of debate surrounding this issue of abandoned babies. To me it is simple. The mother is isolated and desperate. She is probably suffering from post-partum depression. She is most likely in an abusive relationship. She is almost certainly very poor and can see no other solution. She is doubtless uneducated and unempowered. She might be HIV positive and the baby could be a result of rape or incest. I can only imagine the hours leading up to the abandonment and the mom’s despair and anguish that will lead her to take this step. My point is that I cannot imagine any of the women I have met at either of ‘our’ local hospitals will reach this point, because at the time we meet them they are looking at their babies with such awe, amazed at their own strength and overwhelmed by love.

I realise that I sound naïve in thinking that the women we meet are different. Yes, they are different, but only because they have us. We pray for them and plant a seed of love and compassion, and we ensure that no baby leaves the hospital without clothes and being snugly wrapped in a blanket. No mom leaves without hygiene products, she can sit in the taxi or walk down the hill with her dignity in tact. After this we encourage them to come to us for breastfeeding advice and to learn to sew and get basic business training. Maybe it’s a drop in a bucket, but for one, two or a hundred women and babies it has made a difference. And that is worth it.

Also, huge thanks to Adventure Bootcamp Team from Somerset West who hosted a Beach Booty day for us on Strand Beach and raised R1350. Thanks Girls!!!