Midwives saved his mom's life -- and inspired him to pursue the profession

Global Health Midwives saved his mom's life — and inspired him to pursue the profession May 5, 20263:13 PM ET By  Gabrielle Emanuel Dawit Tamru heads the school of midwifery at a university hospital in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. He was inspired to become a midwife when his mother experienced severe difficulties after delivering his younger sister — and midwives saved her life. Ben de la Cruz/NPR hide caption toggle caption Ben de la Cruz/NPR Dawit Tamiru knew he wanted to be a midwife when he was just about 10 years old. It started the day his mother — a street vendor in Ethiopia — gave birth to his younger sister. After the little girl arrived something wasn't right: His mother had not delivered the placenta as typically happens after the birth. He recalls that the traditional birth attendant, who Tamiru says had minimal training, advised his mother that perhaps she was having twins and they should wait to see if another baby came. Tamiru recalls watching his mother bleeding at home and deteriorating. Sponsor Message "She was gasping and having difficulty," he remembers. "I was very young. I was very nervous. I didn't know what to do. It was hard to wait, and I just prayed." A cousin recommended taking her to the hospital. Tamiru had to stay at home but he was able to go the next day and visit his mom. "When I saw her the next morning, [she was] safe. I couldn't believe it. I just thanked my God, and I said, 'Who did that? Who saved my mother's life?' " The hospital staff told him: The midwives. "I was very inspired," he says. From that moment on, Tamiru had his mind set on becoming a midwife. Today, he's an assistant professor of midwifery at Haramaya University and heads the School of Midwifery at Haramaya University Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. He says he now understands that his mother could have easily bled to death if a midwife at the hospital hadn't put on elbow length gloves and carefully removed the placenta. Tamiru can think of coun...