Scene Video
Audio
1 <<Music & SB from videos>>
Somali musicians playing (family celebration) along with pics from all the different segments. It ends with the title of the program in Somali and English on the screen
<Open>
We hear Somali music playing from the open
2 Pan from item in the exam room to Zahra and translator are sitting in an exam room waiting for the doctor to come in.
<translator>
Before your doctor comes in, do you have any questions for me?
3 Zahra and translator are sitting in an exam room waiting for the doctor to come in.
<Zahra>
It’s been really nice to have you here at my
appointments to support me and help translate. Will they allow you to be there for the birth as well? 4 Zahra and translator
are sitting in an exam room waiting for the doctor to come in.
<Translator>
Yes, of course. It’s good to have a translator with you during the birth.
Even if you know some English, some things are easier to understand in your first language. With someone there to help support you and
translate, you can be sure to communicate with all of the health care providers.
5 Female Dr comes in and greet Zahra and the translator. She sits down.
<hear dr come in> <greet doctor>
6 <Doctor>
How have you been since the last visit?
7 <Zahra>
I’ve been doing pretty well. I’m starting to get some 127
leg cramps. But nothing too severe- and I’ve been stretching and walking like you suggested.
8 <Doctor>
Good. Those are symptoms that are often
experienced during pregnancy. But I’m glad you told me. Sometimes things that seem little, may help detect larger problems.
Today I want to talk a little more about what will happen during the birth.
I want to make sure you know what the process is and answer all of your questions.
9 <Zahra>
I do have some questions about that. Some things are different here than in my country and I’m a little nervous about some of the customs.
10 <Doctor>
Well, let’s start with your questions. What are some of the things you’re concerned about?
<Zahra>
I am worried about the way that I may be cut to help the baby be born.
11 <Doctor>
We call that an episiotomy. It’s an incision in the opening where the baby is born to allow room for the baby’s head.
It isn’t always done. But you may need it done in
some circumstances. <Zahra>
How will I know if I need to have one? <Doctor>
That’s a good question. You may need an episiotomy if you need to give birth to your baby quickly.
It also may be necessary for women who’ve been circumcised. The tissue doesn’t stretch well and often the opening is not large enough for the baby’s head.
<Zahra>
How will I know if I need to have an episiotomy ? <Doctor>
Each women is different. We often don’t know until you’re in labor.
It also depends on your age, how many children you’ve had, and other factors.
Later in our exam I’ll be able to tell you more based on your particular factors.
12 <Zahra>
I think in Somalia they cut differently.
13 <Doctor>
Again, it depends on the woman and her
circumstances. Often we cut down and to the side. In Somali, doctors often cut upwards on both sides. <Zahra>
Why is it done differently here? <Doctor>
Cutting down to the sides is often safer and avoids harming your internal organs.
Cutting up may cause damage.
14 <Zahra>
So, you will do what is best for me and my baby?
15 <Doctor>
Yes, each woman’s situation is different.
And remember, an episiotomy isn’t always done. It depends on the woman, how the labor progresses and the practice preferences of different health care providers.
That’s why I’m glad you brought it up.
Communication is really important during these prenatal exams and during labor. There may be things that we do differently than in Somalia and I want to make sure we have a chance to talk about those things and explain why we do things differently.
16 <Zahra>
And the translator can be there with me to help express what I want?
<Doctor>
Yes. We encourage you to have a translator. A translator can help make sure we both understand what each other is saying.
17 <Zahra>
And what about other family members? <Doctor>
It’s up to you to decide who you do and don’t want with you during the birth. You may want your sister and mother. Or you may want to have your husband with you. We encourage your husband to be here when the baby it born- it’s an exciting time and it’s nice to have him here with you.
Many Somali women now choose to have their husbands with them.
18 <Zahra>
That makes me feel better.
Having a translator and my family there will help. And talking to you about what is going to happen during the birth is important- I’m a lot less nervous about that part now.
19 <Doctor>
Good. That’s what we want. Our goal is to have a healthy birth for you and your baby- and to make you as comfortable as possible.
20 Pan over to another item in the exam rm, or the mother’s hand on her belly, or crossed hands, or faces or Zahra and translator.
(conversation fades off and music goes up) <Doctor>
What other questions do you have?
21 Title of the program appears over the last shot.
<Music full> Dip to black
22 March of Dimes Logo & wording:
"Funded by a
Community Grant from the March of Dimes." "This material is for information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The opinions expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the March of Dimes."
23 Mayo Clinic
copyright