So what am I doing in Brazil?

So I realize that I have been writing about my time here in Brazil, but I haven’t mentioned more about the organization I’m working with and explained what they actually do here. The name of the NGO is Instituto Nômades, a fairly small Brazilian organization that exists to advocate the ´humanization of birth´ here in Brazil. This consists of raising awareness and helping educate women on their choices in childbirth—largely due to the fact that in Recife (the city I am in, in the Northeast corner of Brazil) there is a 91-96% cesarean section rate in private hospitals, and up to a 60% c-section rate in public ones. The incredible thing about this reality is that women are routinely coerced into having c-sections when they are not necessary and a c-section increases maternal morbidity five-fold! Apart from that, the treatment women receive when they have vaginal births is not impressive—with the overuse of medical procedures including episiotomies, enemas, constant (and uncomfortable) monitoring, and a lack of support in comfort measures. All that said, maybe this gives a clearer picture of why feminist advocacy and education is so important—that even choices in childbirth, such a personal experience for women, are being denied and ignored.

One of the ways the organization educates women is by having a group of pregnant women that meet weekly to share experiences and information. Every Monday night they get together for 2-3 hours and sit and talk mostly about the procedures mentioned above, and alternatives—such as natural birth, assistance by a doula (who offer non-medical support, with comfort measures and emotional support during birth), coping techniques during birth, etc. I’ve been attending this group and truly find it so amazing to share this information with women and allow them to think through and shape what they want their birth experience to be like. I would really love to be able to start and help lead a group like this in the future, whether that be in the US or elsewhere. Also, I can’t tell you how many videos I’ve recently watched of at home births, births in water, births assisted by midwives, etc! Haha, it has been fun to learn so much. The other task that the organization has sought to undertake is research on the knowledge and practice of traditional midwives that practice mostly in poorer communities. This research is deeply based in anthropology as well, as these midwives represent an important Brazilian heritage throughout the past generations. Therefore, the research seeks to document and respect the cultural aspects that these midwives represent, while also investigating their knowledge and practice in the physical act of childbirth. Although most of these women do not have hospital-based (or academic-based) training, they are what I would maybe call ´vocationally´ trained by grandmothers, mothers, and/or other traditional midwifes. Anyway, this is research that I am really excited to take part in because who better understands community needs than women who dedicate their lives (with little monetary reward) to serving their community? I think I have a lot to learn from them! This research starts next week, so I’ll get back to yall on what I learn… besides that, this week I also got to attend a professional conference on pregnancy and birth and really enjoyed the presentations.

On another note, I just found a wonderful Brazilian family I will be living with for the next 6 weeks! I’ve been living with an anthropologist from Instituto Nômades until I found a more permanent homestay, and yesterday I met the family I’ll be living with. Their youngest daughter is my age and we really hit it off— and she speaks English and Spanish so can help me a long with my Portuguese, but everyone else only speaks Portuguese so I must learn more! Plus when I was over there they were all laughing and joking around with each other—big family of 6. Move in tomorrow!

Ok, long-enough update. P.S. One more lesson—I eat WAY to fast. Maybe it is the college student inside of me always on the run, but every time I sit down to eat, I have to remind myself to look up and chew. I sat down with a couple of kids the other day, ate fast, and when I was done the 7 year old looked at me and said, WOW you eat fast—I hadn’t even realized I scarfed the food down. Here they enjoy their meals, and afterwards we all sit and have a cup of coffee, always. I love it. Much love to everyone... and take a slow lunch today! ;-)

Some things to keep in mind

Lessons I am learning here in Brazil...

+ Portuguese is not Spanish. Before I came I constantly reminded myself that the first two weeks would be the hardest adjusting to the language. And that it has been, a hard week—but I am now progressing… and taking Portuguese classes. I like this challenge though- I really can understand a lot now, just need help converting my thoughts into proper Portuguese.
+ Brasilian food feeds the soul. Ok, maybe not feeds it- Jesus does that- but it sure does make the soul happy. Seriously, I have not had one meal that I have not loved- and I´ve had many meals, they keep me well fed.
+ On time is late here. Duh, I grew up in South America—I should know this!! But the constant need to be on time in America made me forget! One day this week I actually showed up on time, at like 6… the person arrived at their house over an hour later. She was on time—I was early, duh.
+ Women in other countries have a lot to teach us… I am learning a lot a lot a lot from women in the organization about birth and many wonderful things-- challenging even what I view my future as. More to come…
+ Just because America is in a recession does not mean that Brazil is. It costs me over $1 to ride the bus each time. Maybe that doesn’t sound like a lot, but considering that in Uganda and Ecuador it was like 25 cents, it does make a difference. The dollar is killing me here… but I really do love bus rides.
+ Mosquitos love me. Yeah, after 10 bites on each foot/calf I pursued finding insect repellent. My legs are still recovering.
+ Flexibility and patience. Especially when figuring out how I can help the organization when my Portuguese is still coming along… so hopefully next week we will start visiting parteiras (traditional midwives)… so excited to start doing that. In the meantime, I am letting Recife grow on me—with its heat, mosquitos, language, and yummy food.

Feeling the warmth of Brazil

I have to say I definitely hit the ground running once I got here. All went smooth with my flights and baggage, apart from the fact that I had a 14 hour layover in sao paolo-- haha, but finally i arrived in Recife (pronounced hecifi) at 1 am on Thursday night. Daniella, one of the founders of Insituto Nomades, the organization I will be working with, picked me up-- she has been incredibly gracious to me, helping me adjust and taking me around the city! Anyway, Friday I went to an all-day training session about the research the organization will be conducting during the next 8 months. It is heavily rooted in cultural anthropology, with two anthropologists advising the project as well as multiple women who have knowledge about childbirth. We will be going into communities interviewing traditional midwives, women who practice as a vocation with little medical training, but practice due to necessity in their communities. It was a long day for me-- all in portuguese, and I felt pretty lost at times. After finishing at 7 pm, everyone decided to go out for drinks to celebrate their long week of training, and I have to say that I really enjoyed spending this time with everyone. A group of 15 people, from the ages of 18-40 all went out for at least 3 hours to relax and just hang out at a restaurant that overlooked the ocean. SO much fun to watch this Brazilian culture unfold, and they were so nice trying to talk to me and teach me more portuguese! I have to say that I have been absolutely impressed at the friendship everyone has extended. Ya know, in the states I hear comments about people who `come to our country without even knowing our language´ as if that is a bad thing, but here many brazilians have affirmed me for coming and living in Brazil to learn portuguese! They say that is the best way to learn... and they engage me in conversation to help me. Really warm people.
Anyway, saturday I was invited to go to the beach with two girls about my age, neither of whom speak spanish or english! It was really fun spending a day on the beach learning to communicate, eating freshly fried fish while sitting in beach chairs with water splashing our feet, and swimming in the shark infested ocean-- not kidding, we couldn´t go far out, haha! But it was muito legal (very cool).
So anyway... right now I am staying with one of the anthropologists working on the project, and this next week will be low key as they finish arranging interviews with midwives. After that we will begin visiting communities. Right now my focus will be on getting some portuguese lessons, as I realize i could really use them! Once I get a better grasp on the langauge I will be able to help with more things with the organization... so that will be good.
I still am basking in the reality of being here... the weather is absolutely wonderful, warm and humid, but not at all uncomfortable. The culture and people match the environment, welcoming and fun.

Much love to everyone, and if you want to write me, email me at leahbbutts (at) gmail (dot) com

Besos!