Update on Tina

If you read the blog a few days ago, you will remember I posted about one of the midwives, Tina who had a baby girl, Hannah with many lung and respiratory complications and in need of surgery. Thanks to donations from readers and friends of Hilary, we were able to raise the money to get baby Hannah her surgery. She was stable after the surgery but not doing any better (or worse). The last we heard last night she was just being monitored and Tina had been discharged. They had the best doctors on the case.
This morning at about 8 am the clinic received a text from Hilary that baby Hannah had died. Apparently her other lung collapsed and they tried to go in but couldn't save her. I don't know many details but will keep you updated as I hear them. This case is tragic but not uncommon here.
Tina was 31 years old, ancient by Filipino standards for child bearing, and had been trying to conceive for many years. She was lucky enough to finally get pregnant only to find out two days before giving birth that her baby had a diaphragmatic hernia. This is generally something in the US that can be fixed and treated (at a price). Here in the Philippines they struggled to get the money, the surgeon, the supplies and the technology to help the baby survive.

We are not sure what will happen next for the family and the funeral ceremony but we would appreciate any prayers or thoughts you have for Tina as she is emotionally a wreck and needs all the support she can get. Losing a baby, no matter where you are, is not something that is easy. Women do it hear much more often than we can ever imagine.