Why Oaxaca Needs Casa Compasiva

A mama gives birth to a live baby early in the morning, but the baby is whisked away and she never sees it again.  At some point during the morning, the hospital staff come and tell her that her baby is dead, but they don't tell her why.  Being an indigenous woman unaccustomed to questioning authority, she does not ask why-- and she will never know.

A sixteen year old first-time mama with no husband and no boyfriend labours alone and afraid.  The doctor comes in to check her dilation and says, "Oh, she's at seven centimeters, but this will take too long. Let's do a Caesarean.” It is now six hours after the operation and she still hasn't seen her baby.

A seventeen year old mama in labour accidentally pees on her gown and her hospital bed.  Though it smells bad and she is humiliated, she is not allowed to have another gown or her bed sheet changed.  She labours on in shame in a room full of fifteen people.  Presently she is moved to the delivery room where the chief doctor comes in laughing, does a massive episiotomy, and then goes in with forceps and pulls the baby out  – all just to show off in front of the young interns.

The above are true-life incidents, two of them witnessed by me and the other by a Casa Compasiva doula giving volounteer labour-support service at a local hospital last week.  They are representative of the kind of care that the lower-income Oaxacan women receive.  Upper-class women receive more attention in nicer surroundings, but are still funneled through the relentless C-section mill.

That is why Casa Compasiva was born -- to provide a caring alternative to the unacceptable birth options currently existing in Oaxaca.  It exists to support child-bearing women with good care, quality attention, and the loving dignity that God bestows on women.  God raised up Casa Compasiva to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to bestow on the ladies of Oaxaca “ … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3)

Our doors have been opened for six months now and we are seeing the fulfillment of God's promises and the joy of serving in this vital ministry.  We rejoice at everything that has been accomplished for God's glory in the last six months!  Yet the truth is that we are also facing a serious financial crisis.

At this stage of Casa Compasiva's development, our expenses far outweigh our income.  Our birth volume is still low, (therefore the income limited); we are still needing to improve the physical plant; we still have some needed equipment to buy; and we face huge once-yearly expenses such as malpractice insurance ($1200 US), Secretary of Health permits ($1,400 US for one year), Social Insurance coverage for all our workers--required by law-- approximately $1300 US every other month, etc. 

Our normal monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, workmen's wages, doulas', nurse, and doctor salaries, supplies, etc. --average $4,000 US per month.  We currently have enough funds for one or two more weeks of operation. Time to storm the throne!

Our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills...this is absolutely no problem for Him.  If He has entrusted you with the stewardship of some of His “cattle”, and you feel His nudging to release some of God's “cows” for the ministry of Casa Compasiva, then please click here for information on how to donate to this ministry.  Specify your gift for Birth Center - Oaxaca on a separate sheet if you mail a check. 
                                                                                                                                                               
Even if you are unable to give, we would certainly appreciate your prayers!

In confident anticipation of God's faithfulness,

Lila Quezada

Writing on behalf of these happily expectant mamas at Casa Compasiva