For the past seven years, the Madison Meriter NICU nurse – aided by friend and midwife Nancy Comello – has been teaching Hope 2 Others’ Healthy Births and Babies program in Guatemala.
Nancy Comello and Karen Klemp with two of the babies they helped deliver in January 2014.
Healthy Births and Babies focuses on many issues, including: helping pregnant women stay healthy; recognizing and responding to complications of pregnancy and delivery; teaching strategies, birthing techniques and positions to improve the safe delivery of baby and mother; addressing what to do in case of postpartum hemorrhage; teaching newborn care and keeping babies healthy by keeping mothers and babies together after birth; kangaroo care; the importance of breastfeeding and the Golden Hour after birth; and teaching good nutrition.
During a month-long trip to Tanzania in January, Karen Klemp and Nancy Comello taught Healthy Births and Babies to Tanzanian midwives and birthing attendants.
“The goal is to really care for women so they can care for their own babies, it is not taking over that role,” Nancy Comello said. “That is something I feel called to, and to empower women to try to be the best mothers that they can be, that is what our goal is.”