As a woman, there are some decisions you have to make in life.

For one, do you want to have children? And what if there are complications with the birth of your child? One of the topics we have been focusing on is Women's health. Why? Because Brazil has the highest rate of cesarean sections in the world and it's been increasing more as it's being accepted into the culture. 

"The World Health Organization recommends a c-section rate of between 5 and 15 percent, as the process could put the mother and the baby at risk. In Brazil, however, between 2002 and 2009 the rate was almost three times as much as the upper limit (44 percent), and went up to 52 percent in 2010, according to figures published by UNICEF"  

If Doctors know the risk of C-sections, what other factors contribute to this high rate? The convenience and profitability for doctors; instead of waiting for mothers to go through labor, it's so much easier just to check into surgery and out for the day. Also, women can plan the exact day and time of their children, especially if they believe in astrology. This rate can reflect a lot about a country.

We began exploring this topic by a guest lecture who spoke about the legal situation of women's health in Brazil. This is really interesting because... Brazil has the highest numbers of Catholics in the world. Their constitution declares a separation of church and state, yet, there is a huge role of the religious beliefs in the law. For instance, abortion is illegal. There are special cases where legal abortions are given; rape, incest, or to risk of mothers life. Yet, like most illegal things, they are still done. 

That day, the guest lecture played a video that churned my stomach and left my eyes stinging. It was a story of a woman with an anencephalic fetus in Brazil. This means her male fetus was missing part of his brain. The woman was religious and wanted to have a son. But, with the condition, her son would have passed away immediately after birth. (It's important to consider this because usually when I hear the term 'abortion', I get the notion that the mother does not want to have the child, in this case.. the child was planned for.) Well, after being rejected of a legal abortion, she applied for it again and was successfully able to receive her abortion. 

I distinctly remember a member of the Brazilian Supreme Court saying: 
"I do not understand how there is a human in her stomach, yet it is not alive.." 

There was no warning for the emotions I felt and the images that I had to see while watching this video. I saw the dead fetus in her arms, her swollen eyes filled with tears, the short coffin carried in the funeral, and the father burying his son..This all was very heavy on my heart. It got me to question what is 'life' and the value of it to me, what would I do in the woman's situation, and how do I pick myself back up after watching that? 

We went on a ten minute break after that session and I decided to read my devotion of the day and listen to music. My ipod played Hillsong - Soon (Click here to listen) and tears poured and I continued to have enormous pain deep with in me; feelings of guilt because I had life in me... and others didn't. Soon, I felt much better and my spirit felt lifted. It was no coincidence that I read Romans 9, starting with "I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart." (2) and continued to read about God's sovereignty. I discovered that God's sovereign choices do not need to be questioned and that I don't have to feel guilty for the life I live, because I was given it for a purpose. 

The deeper we dive into these health issues, the more I find myself emotionally unprepared. Isn't ironic that as I'm growing and learning, I feel like a new born being exposed to the disparities and inequalities around the world? Before this program, we were told that we may not have the workload similar to a university (as far as assignments and exams). But we will have to work hard emotionally and mentally. I didn't take it seriously, but now I can understand what that means...


Besides that one guest lecture and regular classes, we've had many other activities and speakers including:
- 3 guest lectures 
- 2 Non-governmental organization (NGO) visits
- 1 Panel on Birthing Experiences 
- 1 Visit to a Public Hospital 
- 2 Film Screenings 

This is a photo of me in Washington, DC. The day we left to Brazil, I did not have the chance to post it yet. But I'm genuinely smiling. Though studying public health can be emotionally taxing, I will end each day smiling because I will learn so much by discovering and crossing these emotional boundaries. 

Packing for my one week trip to a rural town, Barra do Turvo, 
Lynn 


"There is something inside of me, sort of contagious, deadly, dangerous.. It's called LIFE, a vibrant and terrifying mystery.." - Hebert Daniel