For those of you who are wondering if we are just traveling and not working, I thought I might fill you in on some of what is going on at the WHO (my Monday to Friday job). I have been working with a great group of people who are part of the Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent group.  This was previously divided into two groups: Making Pregnancy Safer and the Child and Adolescent group.  Although they are officially one, they still function as two units.  In the MPS group there are two obstetricians and two neonatologists.  There are also several non physicians.  I am gradually getting to know them all. They all have a wealth of experience and are a fascinating group of people who work extremely hard.  Since I have been here, I have had the opportunity to be involved in the finalization of guidelines for preeclampsia and eclampsia.  An amazing group of people from around the world gathered to hash those out.  Recently the World Health Assembly met and I managed to take in some of the activities down at the United Nations (just a few minutes from the WHO building).  Lots of networking and politics happening there!  The job that I have been most involved in however has been the development of a course on normal labour and birth.  Until now, much of the emphasis has been on emergency management during labour and birth.  Afterall, women are dying because of post partum hemorrhage and preeclampsia and so efforts have gone into dealing with these emergency issues, among others. Care of women during normal labour has fallen by the wayside.  Many women still have mobility restricted in labour, are not allowed a companion, receive routine episiotomies and enemas, to name a few.  They are also often treated with a lack of respect and in fact there are concerns worldwide about abuse of women in labour.  My objective has been to create a CD based interactive course that is geared toward skilled birth attendants, emphasizing evidence based practice to achieve normal birth. Not exactly what one might have thought a high risk specialist would be doing, but it has been eye opening and very exciting.  I am the only one working on it at present, so it is my "baby" but it won't be done by the time I leave, so one of the other folks in MPS will have to take it over.  Everyone is anxious for me to get as much done as possible before I leave and it may in fact follow me back to Halifax! I have loved having the chance to think about some basic obstetrical problems, and more than anything, it has made me realize how lucky we are in North America.  Births are attended by very skilled birth attendants, and women don't fear for their lives as they begin to labour.  I hope I remain sympathetic to women with their small complaints when I get back! So, beyond the lovely trips we have made, I have had a great experience at the WHO, which I continue to enjoy!
Heather