Born for Life: Midwife in Africa

by Julie Watson

Nothing could prepare Julie for the experience of living and working in the heart of Africa.

This memoir takes you on Julie’s journey to Kalene Mission Hospital in Zambia, where she worked as a midwife for five months caring for African women and their babies at the most cherished time in their lives.

It is a story of joy and heartbreak, of courage and perseverance, and of an extraordinary adventure.

Genres: Memoir, Health, Inspirational, Medical, Africa

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2018

About the author

Julie grew up in a small, rural town in New Zealand. After leaving school, she worked at the local maternity annexe as a nurse aide, which gave her a love for caring for mothers and babies. Life could not have been happier, until the death of her second baby at birth led to depression, loneliness and despair.

Julie’s first book Born for Life: A Midwife's Story follows her journey to overcome challenges and become the midwife that she was born to be. Julie hopes that her story will inspire others to follow their dreams and not give up hope.

Midwifery remains Julie’s passion. Julie loves travelling and has worked as a midwife in many countries – including Zambia, Africa where she worked at Kalene Mission Hospital.

Julie’s second book Born for Life: Midwife in Africa describes her experiences living and working in Africa. She shares her incredible journey to make a difference in the lives of African women and their babies at the most cherished time in their lives.

Julie lives in Palmerston North, New Zealand with her husband, Barry.

https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Watson/e...

Reviews

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julie Watson and her husband leave their jobs and move to Africa to work at a mission hospital. Julie joins the staff as a midwife and works alongside missionaries and Zambian doctors and nurses. She gives vivid accounts of what her life is like there, as well as, what she endures while working with the pregnant mothers and newborn babies.

Despite a lack of medical personnel, operating theaters, and equipment, Watson assists hospital staff members in admitting the often frail women who come from near and far to seek help. She takes part in cesarean births and gives detailed descriptions about her unpredictable and busy days and nights. Readers' hearts go out to Watson as she describes the malnourished and stillborn babies that she helps deliver, but are not long for the world. It is with courage and patience that she assists in doing whatever she can to help the mothers and their babies.

Born for Life is an emotional and interesting read about living and volunteering in a third world country, and committing oneself to bring about a better life for others.

[Brigid Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Midwife in Africa" is the compelling story of the challenges Julie Watson faced when volunteering as a midwife at Kalene Missionary Hospital, in 2010.
Julie shares details of preparation for the trip, including self funding, visa and work permit issues, as she and her husband Barry, who volunteers behind the scenes at the mission, travel from their home in New Zealand to Zambia.
The complications of childbirth become a harsh daily reality, as Julie joins a dedicated team of doctors and midwives in challenging conditions. New life and death coexist, yet a strong sense of community thrives between both the staff and the pregnant and nursing mothers living at the hospital.
She and Barry adapt to life without the luxuries we take for granted, cook and eat what is grown locally, share Christmas away from family, and immerse themselves in African culture.

[Ronald Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The generous spirit of Julie Watson permeates this fascinating memoir from beginning to end.

With a desire to put her skills in nursing and midwifery to good use, the author and her mechanic and Jack-of-all-trades husband Barry, leave the home comforts of New Zealand to volunteer their services in the isolated Kalene Mission hospital in rural Zambia.

With directness, clarity and enthralling detail, Julie Watson captures the challenges of working in a hospital that serves a vast area that lacks most of what she was used to enjoying as normal services back home.

In this modest account, the author brings her part of Africa with all its beauty and its inelegance, its joys and its sorrows alive in brilliant colour before our eyes.

Her book left me with a profound admiration for those, the salt of the earth, who dedicate their lives or even a part of their lives to helping others in need.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intense book about being a Mid-wife in an area that is scarcely populated. Women come for miles to the clinic that is staffed with many volunteers. It is a very interesting read, I am a retired OB/ Peds nurse and I don't think I could have nurse under such primitive conditions, Julie you are truly a very dedicated woman

[Valerie Poore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author, Julie Watson, as an ARC in return for an honest review. She sent it to me knowing of my love of Africa, so I will admit I was already re-disposed to enjoy it. However, I was more than just fascinated by this account of the author's five months volunteering as a midwife at a remote mission hospital in Zambia.

What an amazing experience and what a marvellous thing she and her husband did by going to Kalene hospital in northern Zambia as self-funded volunteers. I have huge respect for people who make this kind of commitment. It must have taken immense courage to step out of their comfort zone and into a situation where they had none of the trappings of 'normal' life and then had to cope with so many life and death situations.

The book covers the lead-up to their departure and all the bureaucratic issues involved with gaining the necessary permits to work in Zambia in the medical field. Julie Watson tells the story in a matter of fact way without exaggeration or drama, but the reader can feel the frustration involved. Keeping patience when faced with African 'time' is something I could relate to easily.

Once the administration nightmares are over, the couple fly north to Kalene and I was immediately plunged into the world of hospital and volunteer life at the maternity department of this outlying mission hospital. With a team of dedicated doctors, midwifes, experienced native assistants and volunteers, the maternity ward deals with a constant stream of women and a daily battle with crises.

Women often arrive at the hospital ill and in danger and there are inevitable tragedies. Babies die with much more frequency than they do in a first world country where pregnant women receive such great care. However, apart from the places where I felt the author's sorrow and pain over the deaths (which inevitably reminded her of her own loss), most would think she found it easy to adapt. But it must have been difficult, challenging and painful. Julie Watson's writing style is quite formal, so it was only close to the end when I realised how much stress she'd been under throughout the whole five months. It's just astonishing that she coped with it given all she had to face.

For anyone who has some medical knowledge and is interested in how women give birth and cope in rural Africa, it is a fascinating read and a testament to the courage of African women. There is quite a bit of medical terminology, which is explained in a glossary at the end of the book. There is also a lot of repetition, but that's the nature of the job. However, there are some interesting glimpses of life in the surrounding villages and the couple's social life as volunteers. That said, most of the book is focused on the women, babies and medical staff at the maternity ward.

After reading it, I am convinced this is a very important book as it records so much about what happens at a mission hospital and the conditions of pregnant women in Africa. I don't personally know of another memoir that deals with this specific situation. Although it didn't tell me as much about that part of Zambia as I'd hoped, it told me much more about the problems faced by the courageous, warm-hearted African women and the loving commitment of those who volunteer to help them. Hats off, Julie Watson. I wish you much success with this book and I am sure you will have it. It will be well deserved.

[Stephanie Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir of midwife Julie Watson’s time in Africa touches every part of the heart and alternates between joy and sorrow. Joy for the mothers and healthy babies, and sorrow for the mothers who lose their babies.
A love for women and their babies sent Julie to Africa to fight the statistics provided by the World
Marvelous Staying Power - both the book and the author!

Health Organization: 2.7 million babies die in the first month of life, and another 2.6 million babies are stillborn. Some 830 women a day die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Julie knew that most of these deaths were preventable and she wanted to use her skill, wisdom, and ability to give as many African mothers and babies the chance at life that they deserved.
Julie’s book opens up life in another country that will stagger the reader with its hardships, shortages, privation—and yet—the fullness of life and joy exhibited by African families in spite of the limits they face in daily living. Julie found herself stretched to and beyond her limits in her endeavor to save the mothers and children entrusted to her care in spite of the scarcity of medical supplies and equipment.
Born for Life Midwife in Africa is a book with staying power—easy to ponder and hard to forget after the last word in the last sentence on the last page of the book.

[Christie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth reading

I enjoyed following along on Julie's journey. I cared about the women and babies, and the information is fascinating. There is a lot of technical information--I didn't realize there was a glossary until the end. As a mother who has done some research, I was able to follow most of it. Thank you, Julie, for sharing your life with me.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating memoir. Julie and her husband Barry volunteer to spend several months in the Kalene Hospital in Zambia, Julie as a Midwife and Barry as a Handyman with many skills. The reality of life in the hospital was quite a culture shock for Julie as they only had the very basics. It's heartbreaking to read of so many women whose babies die or are malnourished themselves. It's a testament to their courage and spirit that they even endure such loss.
Julie deals with medical emergencies and assists in caesarean sections and describes so clearly how things were and how she felt. Gradually she grew to love the women and the staff she worked with although she missed her family in New Zealand.
It's a story simply told with love and compassion. It will make you smile and make you weep.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely read, a memorable book.

I was lucky enough to read a pre-publication copy of this book and I loved it. Julie Watson, from New Zealand, tells of her experiences working as a midwife for five months in Zambia. There are stories of difficult births and circumstances, but also happier tales. I love memoirs-especially travel and medical memoirs. Julie's book marries the two, so I was in reading heaven!

Julie had first worked as a nurse aide and then started training as a midwife at the age of 37. There is a bit of a recap of some info from her first memoir, so I don't think it would matter if you hadn't read the first before this.

Julie and hubby Barry journey to Africa. Midwives are needed for volunteer work for a few months, and Barry will be doing all sorts of odd jobs on a volunteer basis as well. There are a huge variety of cases, stories happy, and so incredibly sad. You can't fail to be touched by this wonderful memoir. It was so interesting, and I was spellbound reading it. As well as the photo section in the book, you can also view additional ones via a link at the end of the book.

The book was written from journals she kept while on the mission-and from letters she sent to friends and family. I've read a few midwife memoirs before and there were still new things to learn in here. I read it hungrily, quickly, and it ended all too soon. I loved both of Julie Watson's memoirs.

The miracle of birth can be such a happy time, but if things go wrong it can also be the most heartbreaking time. Julie tells of the best of the best and the worst of the worst times; scenarios in her time served as a missionary midwife in Africa. It's a fascinating read. Julie will have delivered many babies over the years, and she's delivered another little miracle in this book too.

[T.R. Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the author’s second memoir regarding a midwife’s life and experience. The first ‘Born for Life: A Midwife’s Story’ incorporated much about her own personal growth, life and experience. This latest one deals with the time she and her husband spent at a missionary hospital in a remote part of Zambia, Africa. It is just as informative as the first.

The reader is initially given an insight into the difficulties and frustrations faced when proposing to enter such a country, despite the fact they were going there to help the local, indigenous population.

Subsequently, the author shares details of what it is like to live in an area where there is little in the way of western world products, supplies and services, which most living in those societies take for granted. She also provides insights into local attitudes, housing, and foods and how they survive despite the limitations. One point that impresses her and will also the reader, is how happy these people are despite having so little. Julie also details a few excursions she and her husband make into the surrounding countryside, and more when on their way home after the five month term they committed themselves to. Anyone who has read descriptions of the African terrain by those who have lived on the continent will find a similar love for it in Julie’s renditions.

The primary purpose for their stay was for Julie to serve expectant mothers. Her husband busied himself helping with construction of a new operating theatre, maintaining missionary homes, and keeping mechanical machinery and vehicles in operating order. The tender hearted may find some of Julie’s accounts upsetting. She clearly defines how difficult it can be for the often undernourished, hardworking, women when it comes to birthing. There are many accounts of joyful resolutions but there are also several that end in sadness. The picture, frequently portrayed in the past, of African women simply squatting in a field and giving birth is far from the reality. The detailed explanations and descriptions are very interesting and informative, especially to those unfamiliar with midwifery and birth in general. Some may find it too much but Julie’s accounts are not so grotesque as to cause offence. To help the reader’s understanding a glossary of medical terms, with explanations, is provided at the end of the book though it would probably assist most if its existence was highlighted at the start. This book, along with the first, would probably make good reading for those considering a midwife career or those just starting out on such an occupation.

Unquestionably this book has been written in the authors own unique voice. However, this has led to some repetition in places and the book would benefit from some additional editing to tighten it up. Nevertheless, these do not detract from the authenticity, honesty and insightfulness of this book.

The technical knowledge and information shared within this account make it worthy of a four star (4*) rating.

[Amy Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerfully life-giving

Watson pens a magnetic memoir in Born for Life: Midwife in Africa. I have read work from this author before, and I learned even more about this life-giving woman. This book gives a lot of information about the author's journey in Zambia, Africa. She is a midwife, and spent many months taking care of women and their children, babies. I must say that it is awe-inspiring, not just the work that Julie does, but where she does it, and how she does it. I find her compassionate ten-fold. The story is not just a story, it's the truth as Julie writes about her experiences. Tragedy, triumphs, and definite courage of this author, and how she writes it, telling the world of the culture, and what many African women may be missing, but she gave her all. Children were born alive, women were getting prenatal care, probably for the first time, and live births excelled. A very heart-fulfilling, heart-breaking and joyous adventure. Extremely emotional journey. Born for Life: Midwife in Africa is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.

[Elizabeth Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in two days. Julie writes so clearly and her hands on experiences of life and death while volunteering in an impoverished part of Africa, left me with a deep sense of how our lives are a call to service and in that service there is great joy. Especially poignant is the fact that despite losing her own baby at birth, Julie refuses to be a victim and overcomes her own deep grief by helping others through their trials of childbirth. I especially love the reminder that this book gave me that we really do not need much to thrive and be happy in this life here on earth. Only each other and a connection to the land. I did not know that Julie had written a book previously about her life beforehand and I look forward to reading that one soon too.

[Mrs Olga A Danes-Volkov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as interesting as it ought to be

I thought this book about five months spent in Zambia as a midwife volunteering in a mission hospital would be really fascinating. Sadly despite the subject it is awfully dull. I fear that good descriptive writing isn't given to everyone.

I would imagine that the Zambians were very interesting but very little is actually written about them perhaps because Jie Watson didn't speak their language perhaps for other reasons. Undoubtedly she did her very best to lower infant and maternal mortality as much as she could but everyone is made of cardboard and one gets little impression of them as individuals. A great pity.

[Betty K (please call me Katy) Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good. I enjoy reading about midwifery, women birthing, medically based birth memoirs, all that. That being said, it was ok, I have read better but worse too, so it is just middling.

[Shakira Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid read

A solid read to her first book, providing a very in depth look at some of the challenges pregnant women experience in Africa.

[Lee Dorough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I loved the description of life in Zambia. It all sounded like our medical missions in Haiti,though food, etc seemed better in Zambia.

[Julie Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

Born for Life: Midwife in Africa is a work of non-fiction written as a memoir by author and midwife Julie Watson. Following her original collection, Born for Life: A Midwife’s Story, this new selection of memories tells the tale of Julie’s experiences as a volunteer in Zambia. Working in a mission hospital in a remote location, Julie recounts the trials of getting out there in the first place with her husband to do their volunteer work, as well as the shock of adjusting to African ways of life and looking after mothers and newborns at such a pivotal and potentially dangerous time of their lives.

This a superb account of volunteering which doesn’t play too heavily on the heartstrings, making it highly accessible for any reader who wants to discover the true hardships and incredible rewards that doing this kind of work can bring an individual. Author Julie Watson makes no exaggeration in her narrative style, keeping to the incredible facts of her five-month adventure in another culture, whilst at the same time explaining the factual account of what being a midwife entails. I think that, particularly for aspiring midwives and nurses, this would be an eye-opening and educational read on world medicine and the importance of looking beyond your own front door. For me, the experience of reading Julie’s tale becomes more personal as it went along, slowly unlocking the reasons for her powerful commitment to her cause without being sensationalized or ‘tear-jerking’. Born for Life: Midwife in Africa is a revelation in kindness recommended to all.