Emergency Childbirthing

An Emergency Childbirth Article On Birth Faith

2011-05-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

I came across this great article about Emergency Childbirth Preparedness on the site, birthfaith.org. You'll want to read the whole article, which provides many informative links, but for now, here is an excerpt:

Regardless of what type of disaster may strike or how severe it is, there will always be pregnant women in need of special assistance. Pregnant women are among those most at risk in disaster situations, in part because severe stress can trigger premature labor, but also because so many women are forced to give birth under precarious circumstances. When hospitals may be over-flowing with sick and injured survivors, roads or transportation inaccessible, and electricity likely unavailable, women who would otherwise have given birth at the hospital will have to seek alternatives.

It is also a possibility that hospitals will only have resources for the most high-risk pregnant women, leaving low-risk mothers to give birth with little or no assistance from staff. Even in the absence of a large-scale disaster, on just an ordinary day-to-day basis, sometimes a birth happens too quickly to make it to the planned location or before a qualified birth attendant can be present.

Baby Born in Evacuation Center as Cyclone Yasi Rages in Australia

2011-04-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

Feb. 2011

It was quite an ordeal for one Japanese woman during the height of Cyclone Yasi. Not only was she taking refuge in an evacuation center, but she went into labor.

A Japanese woman gave birth to a baby girl inside a crowded evacuation center at the height of Cyclone Yasi.

Akiko Pruss and her German husband Christian and their first child were taking refuge in Red Lynch College, a school in Cairns, when her water broke.

[Jason Sydenham, Evacuee]:
"I'm sure it was a harrowing moment."

British midwife Carol Weeks emerged as one of the heroes of the night, after helping deliver the baby in a makeshift first aid room.

Weeks was on vacation with her husband Andrew in Queensland to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary... when they were forced to take shelter due to the Category Five storm.

The proud parent delivered a healthy girl baby after a three hour labor.

[Linda Cooper, Evacuee]:
"Very very smoothly. She's either got a very high pain threshold or she's a very strong woman. But obviously we've got no pain relief or anything here for her so a very natural birth in the most unnatural of circumstances...I said are we going to call the baby Yasi, and she actually threw a cup at me."

Many people were astounded that Cyclone Yasi - which packed winds of up to 186 miles an hour at its core - did much less damage than feared.

Breastfeeding Is Normal, Formula is Subpar

2011-03-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

I love that this speaker makes the point that breastfeeding is vital as part of emergency preparedness. One never knows when a natural disaster will occur. It is wise to breastfeed for multitudes of reasons.

Another Rapid Labor

2011-02-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

Yet another couple is caught off-guard when their baby was born before they could even leave their house for the hospital. This story is another testament that every pregnant couple must prepare for unassisted birth!

It was reported on Huffingtonpost and Cnn. Both articles carry the interview by Dr. Sanjay Gupta of the father, Josh Lev, who is a news reporter. The Huffington Post story includes links to
Childbirth: How to Deliver a Baby in an Emergency Childbirth and The BabyCenter's Emergency Homebirth. It also gives a link to an article about a medically unassisted birth that occurred in a taxi in Lincoln Tunnel on Feb. 2011.

Although reporter Josh Lev's hadn't considered the fact that there is a chance that EVERY woman may deliver out of hospital, he did have some knowledge that helped him do all the right things. He knew not to cut the cord, he rubbed his baby when it hadn't breathed yet, and he talked to his baby.

Check out this post on Spirit-Led Birth for info on Clearing A Newborn's Airway.

Baby Born In Blizzard

2010-12-29T08:49:00.000-08:00

"Some babies are conceived in cars, some are born in them!"

Just blocks from a hospital a couple gets stuck in a blizzard traffic jam and the mother is forced to deliver her baby in her car.

Listen to the mother's own words.

Watch the news video.
12/29/2010

Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response

2010-05-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

Check out this emergency preparedness checklist for mothers and relief workers.

An excerpt from the checklist:

In an emergency breastfeeding saves lives! Breastfeeding is always sanitary and safe, requires no electricity or water, and helps calm infants in stressful and traumatic situations. Mothers who breastfeed release hormones that help them relax, and they can continue to make plenty of milk, even under the most stressful situations....

* Don't wait until an emergency to learn about the importance of breastfeeding. The best time to learn about how to support breastfeeding mothers is before an emergency occurs.

Only 14% of US Mothers Breastfeed

2010-05-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Back in 2004 a NaturalNews.com writer shared his thoughts about the newly released statistic that only 14% of babies were breastfed during the first six months of their lives.

He expresses his concern that despite the nutritional and health benefits currently published as well as the support of breastfeeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization so many women continue to use formula.

This statistic is very alarming especially if we consider the significance such a low rate of nursing would have if there was a widespread natural disaster or emergency status in the United States.

A Commentary On The Importance of Breasfteeding In Natural Disasters

2010-05-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

Back in May 2008 we read about the heroic Chinese woman who shared her breastmilk with as many as nine orphaned or displaced babies after the devastating earthquake her country suffered.

Today I came across a BlogHer commentary that explores comments made on other sites as well it provides links to sites with information related to breastfeeding during emergencies and natural disasters.

Breastfeeding Following A Natural Disaster

2010-05-18T09:39:00.001-07:00

I just came across this informative PDF file. The introduction states:

The information below will help you determine whether certain exposures that a mother might come in contact with following a natural disaster are safe for her breastfed infant. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your health care provider.

Some of the issues the article addresses are....

* Why is breastfeeding good for my baby?
*What can I be exposed to during a natural disaster that
might pass to my baby in breast milk?
*How can I keep my breast milk as safe as possible?

Read the file in its entirety.

Baby Born On NY Bus

2009-06-13T00:38:00.000-07:00

Within 24 hours of a baby girl being born on a New York subway, another baby girl was born on a bus in Brooklyn. The mother was laboring on the bus when the bus driver noticed her. At first he didn't know what was wrong with her so he drove on.

The woman solved the mystery when she yelled that her baby was coming. She then pulled her jeans down and the bus driver and a nearby passenger caught the baby before she hit the floor.

Read the entire story: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/06/12/2009-06-12_by_pete_donohue.html

Premature Baby Born On Subway

2009-06-13T00:29:00.000-07:00

A New York subway conductor "delivered" a baby girl after a laboring woman's water broke. Although the baby was a month premature, she is doing fine.

It's interesting that even though the conductor only pulled the mom's jeans off and caught the emerging baby, the parents were very grateful to her for this assistance. Why the expectant father didn't think of doing this himself is puzzling. It's also interesting that this woman was lying on the subway floor laboring while people stood around staring at her and had to be told by the conductor to back up and give the woman space.

This story just reaffirms that parents need to understand that they may not make it to the hospital in time and that they need to know what to do just in case.

Read the whole story: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/06/12/2009-06-12_womans_water_breaks_on_r_train_subway_conductor_delivers_baby_girl.html

Husband Catches Baby, Again

2009-04-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

An Australian man caught his daughter as she was born in the bathroom of his home. The mother gave birth quickly, after a 40 minute labor. The parents weren't too surprised since the same scene had occurred with the birth of their son 2 years ago. Still, they called an ambulance which arrived eighteen minutes later and helped with the cord cutting. (Something that needn't be done immediately if the baby is born without any complications. It is best to leave the cord intact until it stops pulsating.)

Check out the story here.

Surprise home birth: Mother Delivers Standing Up!

2009-03-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

The Queensland Times reported that a mother gave birth at home without any medical assistance as she was preparing to depart to the hospital. Before making it to her car, the mother felt the baby coming. While standing up, she caught her baby herself like a "basketball."

Even though baby was breathing and crying healthily when the paramedics arrived, the mother and baby were taken to the hospital where they remained for the day.

Quick-acting parents use CPR to save baby's life

2009-02-12T22:53:00.000-08:00

When Leila Natalini was three days old she experienced cardiac arrest. Her parents, who had become CPR certified when Leila's older brother was born, saved her life by administering CPR. Although the parents received helpful instructions over the phone from the 9-1-1 dispatcher while emergency crews raced to the scene, their familiarity with CPR probably prevented her death or complications.

Read the entire story.

Mum forced into home birth after floods cut off road

2009-02-12T22:43:00.000-08:00

This is total Essex.com reported today the story of a "mum" that was forced into giving birth at home after floods made roads impassible and she could not make it to the hospital.

Four or five minutes after the arrival of paramedics, the baby was born without complication. Read the entire story.

Woman Delivers Her Own Baby On Side Of Road

2009-02-09T22:52:00.000-08:00

It has been reported by the New Zealand Herald, that a doctor delivered her own baby on the side of the road as she was enroute to the hospital. After having intense contractions, she told her husband she was crowning and instructed him to pull over. She was quoted as saying:

"I said, `You have to pull over. I think I'm crowning and I'm happy to have this baby by the side of the road'," she said.

"Next thing I just scooped him (the baby) up on my tummy in the front seat."

I guess this helps dispel the notion that a woman can't deliver her own baby.

Woman Gives Birth on Plane

2009-01-08T01:14:00.000-08:00

It was reported by Salon that on Dec. 31, 2008 a woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl while on a transatlantic flight. In a news video, the news reporters stated that, "Lucky, for this new mom, there were two doctors on board." The passengers clapped for the doctors.

The article states that when one of the doctors examined the laboring woman, the baby's head was coming out, so he pulled on it. According to my studies, pulling on a baby's head is not necessary and can even be detrimental. Therefore, I give thumbs down to this doctor and his assistance.

Preparing for Unexpected Labor

2008-10-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

I have longed believed that every woman should be prepared to give birth medically unassisted. Having no knowledge about how to birth without assistance doesn't seem wise. Many women experience precipitious, or quick labors. During many such labors couples are terrified and risk their lives driving like crazy to reach the hospital. People have died while speedily transporting to a hospital. How much safer to simply deliver their baby themselves and call for assistance.

Years ago I wrote an editorial about a couple who raced to the hospital called Safe At Home. Today I read an article encouraging women to learn about Sudden Home Birth: What to Do
How to Handle an Unexpected Labor and Delivery. The author writes:

...My doctor also advised me to be prepared for the unlikely, but possible, chance of an emergency home labor and quick birth. Because of this, I read everything I could about giving home births.

Even though I made it to the hospital, information about how to handle sudden labor and delivery came in handy later, when a complete stranger started to give birth at a shopping mall. I was standing next to her when she collapsed, moaning, and was able to help her until medical assistance arrived, just as the baby's head emerged from between her legs.

Because of this, I think every pregnant woman should know how to handle an unexpected home birth. If the information doesn't help you, it could help someone you know.

Sudden Home Birth: What to Do
How to handle an unexpected home birth
View more »

An unassisted footling breech

2008-10-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

Read Anna's birth story, on Easier Natural Childbirth. A planned midwife assisted waterbirth turned into an unassisted footling breech! I love where the mother states that instead of her usual birth positions, she felt inclined to labor standing up, (which facilitates breech delivery.)

When I called him to come catch the baby, he came in to see a heel sticking out. Without second guessing himself, he gently loosened the foot and it popped out, quickly followed by the rest of the baby. So, not only did we have an unplanned, unassisted homebirth that barely counts as a water birth, but we had a footling breech without any complications! Is that crazy or what?! God is so good!

An Unplanned Homebirth In the News

2008-09-30T02:13:00.000-07:00

I came across this story on Radical Doula:

Baby born on front lawn July 31, 2008

A sweet story from Ann Arbor Michigan about a woman’s second baby born on their frontlawn by flashlight.

Barbeau helped Jennifer onto the grass and onto her hands and knees - the way she had birthed Rachel two years ago. Five pushes later, Maeve was born. Pink and perfect. “As they all adjusted to what happened, everybody was calm and pleased with their beautiful baby,” she said. “And there seems to be an appreciation of the humor of the situation.” “I took the most hilarious picture of them after the birth,” said Barbeau. “It looks like a camping trip.”

Jennifer was attended by her doula, who also happened to be a home birth midwife. They didn’t plan a homebirth and were on the way to the hospital (about to get into the car) when the baby was born on the front lawn.

Just another story for the sometimes births are just so easy they happen in cars, on couches, on front lawns files.
Cute quote to end the article:

“If I’d really planned a home birth,” she insists, “I think I would have given birth in the backyard.”

Post-Ike: Public Health Emergency

2008-09-27T01:15:00.000-07:00

USA Today reported that after hurricane Ike, "It's a public health emergency."

Hospitals are overwhelmed by emergencies, infections, lack of utilities, and clean water. A woman experiencing pregnancy complications was transported in a helicopter to the hospital.

May she be able to get whatever care she needs.

4 year old boy dies after hurricane Ike

2008-09-27T00:47:00.000-07:00

It was reported on Nine MSN that :

hurricane Ike killed seven people in Texas, including a four-year-old Houston boy who died of carbon monoxide poisoning from the generator his family was using for power.

Let us remember this story so that we may not experience a similar tragedy in case of emergency. May God bless this family with comfort as they mourn the loss of their precious son.

Haitian boy seeks food for his mother and siblings

2008-09-27T00:36:00.000-07:00

Relief Web reported about a 10 year old Haitain boy who sought food from a shelter for his mother and 4 siblings, including a newborn baby. The food was provided by UNICEF and the World Food Program.

The article states that the boy, whose country has been unfairly hit 4 times by hurricanes recently:

... has just received an armload of water, food and essential hygiene supplies, is clearly not thinking about questions of fairness. He carries his load with great care and with his head held high, because he is bringing life-saving help back to his family.

The list of items that young Sender received does not include formula. Let's hope his mother is breastfeeding and let's pray for all the breastfeeding mothers that they may receive the nourishment that they need to sustain themselves and their life supporting milk.

Feeding America Plea

2008-09-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

Feeding America issues an urgent plea for funds to feed Hurricane Gustav victims in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana.

"We are asking everyone in America to help us provide desperately needed food to the thousands of people still suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "The cameras and the news crews have packed up and left Louisiana, so most of America does not know that many of Louisiana residents still need help. We need Americans everywhere to support our efforts to get food to those who need it most."

The public is urged to visit feedingamerica.org to make a financial donation to the disaster relief fund.

Donations made to Feeding America are used to secure and distribute easily prepared food such at canned and shelf-stable goods such as soups, peanut butter, and tuna, which required no refrigeration or preparation; meals: ready-to-eat (MREs); and hand-held snacks like granola bars. The organization also secures frequently requested items such as bottled water, baby formula, disposable diapers and cleaning supplies, which are more difficult to acquire following a disaster.

Haitian mother and baby take shelter, 2 pregnant women die

2008-09-27T00:07:00.000-07:00

It was reported on Minnesota Public Radio that a Haitian mother and her baby took shelter at a highschool during hurricane Ike.

Two pregnant women were found dead. One of them was found holding a child.

May we never forget these mothers valiantly trying to save their children.

Baby born to couple who flee Gustav

2008-09-26T23:58:00.000-07:00

A 19 year old woman gave birth after fleeing hurricane Gustav. She gave birth in a Fort Worth Hospital.

Congrats to the couple and their new baby. Read their story.

This story is a another testament that women do give birth during and after natural disasters. Thankfully mother and baby are safe and healthy.

Mother Dies Clutching Baby During Hurricane

2008-09-26T23:43:00.000-07:00

May we all take a moment to ponder and pray for the mother who died clutching her 11 month old baby during hurricane Gustav. It was reported that the Dominican Repubican mother was smothered by debris.

May none of us ever experience such a terribly frightening ordeal. God bless their souls.

A Glimpse Into Hospital Conditions During Natural Disasters

2008-09-26T23:24:00.000-07:00

On September 15, 2008, the Wall Street Journal published A Baby Boom Tested by Ike. This news story describes one hospitals efforts to care for and evacuate newborns as hurricane Ike hit, which was compounded by the fact that September is the month with the highest number of deliveries.

The article describes a scary scene of floodwaters, thick smoke from a nearby fire, failed generators, and no running water or air conditioning.

Even if one could make it to a hospital during a natural disaster their electrical equipment may not be functioning and chaos may reign. It is imperative that women learn how to give birth naturally, without drugs and machines. They must also learn about how to properly nourish and care for themselves during pregnancy so that they reduce the risk of complications.

Baby born after family evacuates from Gustav

2008-09-26T23:14:00.000-07:00

The Cullman Times is reporting that a baby was born after her New Orleans family evacuated from Gustav.

At the urging of their doctor, the baby's parents left New Orleans so that they could receive medical care in case labor ensued. The couple had a car and were able to evacuate to the father's home town of Cullman.

Their baby girl was born in the hospital.

Fortunately, the roads were clear, the mother carried her medical records, and they had a safe destination. We can learn from this story the importance of having our own copy of our medical records at home, in case of emergency.

Formula Unavailable After Natural Disaster Hurricane Ike: Donations Needed

2008-09-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

I am the mother of 7 children. I nursed my first baby until she was 15 months old. I weaned her at that age because the doctor recommended it since I was expecting my second child. I later learned that it is indeed possible to nurse while expecting. Subsequently, I have nursed the rest of my children until, and even beyond the age of two. Of course they also ate food and drank out of a cup, nursing primarily to fall asleep.

I recently contracted Lyme's disease from a tick bite. My first concern was if Lyme's was transmissable via breastmilk. Thankfully it is not. I then wondered if the kind of medication I needed would require me to stop breastfeeding. My husband said I shouldn't worry about that, that 6 months is a satisfactory length of nursing for our son. I adamantly told him no, that it's not. Fortunately, I was able to take amoxicillan which is safe while breastfeeding.

You see there have been many times when our children have been very ill with fevers and I have been sooo grateful that I was still nursing them as toddlers. Breastmilk is the best thing for a sick child.

Reading the following statement from an article about the dire troubles women and babies are facing after Hurricane Ike ads to my list of why I need to keep nursing my baby into toddlerhood.
1) Babies are increasingly requiring expensive Soy based formula.

2) After a natural disaster or terrorist attack formula is difficult to obtain.

Please read the article linked below in its entirety and help these families with your donations if you can!
Excerpt from the article:
More children and babies are becoming lactose intolerant and they require soy based formulas. This is becoming a large problem for parents of children with food allergies who cannot eat milk products or products with nuts and various other food allergies. Families of these children are feeling the stress.

"I cannot feed my baby most of the food we eat here because he has a milk allergy. I cannot afford to buy him some or I would. I do not know what to do," Carrie Davies, a mother of a 2-year-old boy, said."

After Hurricane Ike, Texas Charities Need Baby Supplies
In the wake of Hurricane Ike, children who need so much are almost being forgotten.
View more »

Wet Nursing: Breastfeeding Saves Lives In Emergency Situations

2008-09-18T22:44:00.000-07:00

May 2008

http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_238842.html

Milk of human kindness

Ms Jiang Xiaojuan is helping to nurse eight babies affected by the quake.

A CHINESE policewoman is contributing to the country's massive earthquake relief effort in a very personal way - by breast-feeding eight babies. A newspaper in Chengdu, the capital of quake-hit Sichuan province, yesterday devoted a special page to 29-year-old Jiang Xiaojuan, calling her a 'hero' while Web users hailed her as 'the most beautiful mother' in the world.

Ms Jiang, from the quake-ravaged town of Jiangyou, has just had a child herself, the Western Daily reported. She is breast-feeding the children of three women who have been left homeless by the quake and are too traumatised to nurse, as well as five orphans, the report said.

One mother, Ms Chen Tanghua, 36, said she has been unable to breast-feed her six-month-old son. He had been crying from hunger until Ms Jiang offered to breast-feed him.The babies who lost their parents have been put in an orphanage which does not have powdered milk, the newspaper reported. It said Ms Jiang brushed off a reporter's questions about her deed by saying: 'All mothers love children. Nursing a few babies is no big deal.'

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Mother Gives Birth during Hurricane Gustav

2008-09-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

...she never imagined that her baby would come into the world amid falling pieces of ceiling and the creaking of glass threatening to burst due to the battering of the hurricane Gustav.
GUSTAVO DAVID WAS BORN UNDER VERY PECULIAR CONDITIONS.

Read the rest of the article:
Heroic Effort by Hospital StaffMother Gives Birth during Hurricane Gustav

Woman Gives Birth During Hurricane Ike

2008-09-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

In the A.P article, Ike Ravages Texas Coast ...Cutting Off Power To Millions, it was reported that:

an evacuee from Calhoun County gave birth to a baby girl in the restroom of a shelter with the aid of an expert in geriatric psychiatry who delivered his first baby in two decades.

Although this woman had a restroom to deliver in, there likely was no electricity and probably no clean water. It would be wonderful to have more details. Thank God that her and her baby were not harmed by the storm.

Pregnant Woman Escapes Hurricane Katrina

2008-07-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

A pregnant woman could not give birth in Mississipi because all the hospitals in her area shut down due to hurricane Katrina. Her in-laws drove to Mississipi to transport her to Colorado so that she could give birth in a hospital there.

This story is another testament that during natural disasters our medical system can be impaired and this puts unprepared pregnant women in jeopardy.

Oct. 6, 2005

Watch the news video:

http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=8317@kcnc.dayport.com

Mom Gives Birth In Rush Hour Traffic

2008-07-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

Baby boy born in Ford pickup. Mother went into labor 4 days before she was planned to be induced. Even though she was in labor, the nurses sent her home because their labor and delivery beds were full and she hadn't dilated in hours.

Oct. 6, 2006

Watch the news video:

http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=22668@kcnc.dayport.com

Woman Flees Hurricane, Gives Birth

2008-06-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

Gary and Monica Bell were desperate to get out of New Orleans before hurricane hit in Aug., 2005.

They flew out Saturday night and baby was born Sunday morning.

This is a testament to our need for emergency preparedness. What might have happened if they were not able to flee? They may not have been able to get help.

Watch the video:

http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=15632@wbbm.dayport.com

Father's Protect Your Children (Prepare Yourself For Childbirth)

2008-06-17T01:24:00.001-07:00

I came across this statement today:

Emergency preparedness, response, mitigation, and management can seem so complicated it is often neglected by fathers. Still, when a disaster strikes, your family will turn to you for what to do.
Make sure you are ready to look them in the eye and state clearly what to do by preparing in the present for the future disaster....As my own departed father used to say, "God helps those who help themselves." Amen. (Excerpt from: Poetslife: A Z-List Blog: Father's Protect Your Children)

This is a good piece of advice for all fathers and especially expectant fathers. Every husband should have an understanding of the labor process and be prepared for his vital role in the delivery process. Our previous post If ye are prepared ye shall not fear is a great place for fathers to begin gathering emergency labor and delivery information. The following list offers some related reading material:

Judging Progress in Labor from Birthing Naturally website.
The Process of Labor and Delivery from the Expectant Mothers Guide.

How To Be a Great Birth Coach.... For Fathers and Other Relatives or Friends from How To Do Things.com
Labor & delivery from the Pregnancy Health Center
Father's Role at Birth page from the Spiritledbirth Blog
Dad's Role During Homebirth from the First Time Pregnancy website

(This link is not exactly related to a father's role at birth, but it is awesome food for thought so I am sharing it. Fathers)

Posted by Susana

Michigan Woman Gives Birth In Backseat Of SUV

2008-06-10T00:58:00.000-07:00

"Delivery was fairly easy." Baby is born in back of vehicle.
7lb 7oz. baby was half way out when the paramedics arrived to assist.

Jan. 17, 2008

Watch the news video:

http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=27313@ktvt.dayport.com

Baby Born In Car In L.A.

2008-06-10T00:55:00.000-07:00

Father helps deliver his baby in the back of car en route to hospital.
April 3, 2008

Watch the news video:

http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=27313@ktvt.dayport.com

Woman Gives Birth In Record Time

2008-06-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

7 lb. 4 oz. baby born on kitchen floor 4 minutes after mother's water breaks.
Jan 30, 2007

Watch the news video:

http://cbs3.com/video/?id=35846@kyw.dayport.com

Woman Gives Birth, Didn't Know She Was Pregnant

2008-06-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

Woman gives birth to baby girl, calls 911.
Jan. 17, 2006

Watch the news video:

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=12908@kcbs.dayport.com

Woman Gives Birth To Baby Boy On Driveway

2008-06-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Driveway doubles as delivery room. Baby boy delivered with the help of firefighters.
April, 2006

Watch news video:

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=17359@kcbs.dayport.com

Florida Woman Gives Birth While Trapped In Ditch

2008-06-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

Trying to drive herself to the hospital, a woman crashes while in labor and delivers the baby while trapped in the wreckage. The policeman who arrived after the birth called a 'hero.'

Aug. 14, 2006

Watch the news video:

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=23445@kcbs.dayport.com

Woman Gives Birth By Herself

2008-06-09T17:17:00.000-07:00

Woman gives birth by herself, without any help. Despite being premature, baby is healthy.

Watch the news video:

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=22149@kcbs.dayport.com

Cop Plays Stork As Mother Gives Birth In Parking Lot

2008-06-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

Mother gives birth to her 7th child in car. Half way to the hospital the couple pulled into Stockton PD parking lot. Healthy baby named after police officer. July 2, 2007

Watch News Video:

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=42750@kcbs.dayport.com

Woman Gives Birth At Gas Station

2008-06-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

During rush hour a Sacramento couple running out of gas on the way to the hospital, gives birth at a gas station. Dad catches baby. News anchors states, "Fortunately he had experience because he helped deliver the couples other child during a homebirth."

Watch the News Video:

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=47050@kcbs.dayport.com

Long Beach Teen Gives Birth While Showering

2008-06-09T16:48:00.000-07:00

17 year old teen gives birth to healthy baby, alone in the shower. Because she had no home phone, she walked to the hospital with baby wrapped in a blanket. May 3, 2008

Watch the video:

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=66214@kcbs.dayport.com

Woman Unaware Of Pregnancy, Gives Birth At MCD's

2008-06-09T16:46:00.000-07:00

6 lb. boy born in McDonald's restroom.

Watch the video:

http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=34966@wcco.dayport.com

Woman Gives Birth On Hwy.

2008-06-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

Healthy newborn couldn't wait for her parents to get to the hospital. Born in a minivan parked on the side of the road. Feb. 11, 2007

Watch the video:

http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=24157@wcco.dayport.com

Premie Born On Plane!

2008-06-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

A mother gave birth to 2lb baby at 37,000 feet. The baby was born alive and survived another 3 hours on the airplane. June 4, 2008

Watch the video:

http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=28920@ktvt.dayport.com

Umbilical Cord Care

2008-06-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

This is an awesome photo.

What is so special about it?

For one this baby was born at home medically unassisted.

Two, check out the umbilical cord. It was tied with a string.

This is interesting to me because the questions I have been asked the most, from people IRL who find out I have given birth unassisted, are about the cord, the placenta, and the birth certificate.

It has always amazed me that people are so amazed that we cut the cord ourselves. To many people it is scary to think of the cord being cut without a doctor. I have always joked that in hospital birth the Dr. delivers the baby and Dad cuts the cord. In home birth, the Daddy deliver his baby and the siblings cut the cord.

In all seriousness, cutting the cord is easy. Cord clamps can be bought for mere pennies from on-line birth suppliers. These are superior to string in that they can be quickly utilized. But a sterilized string works just fine.

As this picture demonstrates the cord is cut just inches from the base. Nothing needs to be applied to the remaining cord. In just about four days it will be dried enough to fall off. There is no difference in the care than what is given to a cord cut by a doctor.

Some home birthers however, choose not to cut the cord at all, instead they leave the cord connected to the placenta. This is called a Lotus Birth. The placenta is wrapped in plastic and kept along side the baby until the cord naturally falls off.

You can read about the baby's birth (pictured above) at Mothering's discussion forum. If you look closely at this second photo, (which is a different baby than the photo above,) the cord has not been cut. Instead the mother keeps the placenta in a plastic bag for several days until the cord falls off. This is called Lotus birth. Watch the video montage of Jenny Hatch's Lotus birth with her son Benjamin below.

The primary reason that umbilical cords need to be cut immediately is in the instance of complication during delivery, when the cord is tightly wrapped around baby's neck or body.

Another reason the chord might need to be cut soon after birth is if the placenta hasn't been delivered and the length of the chord is too short to allow the baby to breastfeed, which needs to occur right away to assist the mother's body in clamping her uterus and prevents hemorrhage.

For more info read these posts:

How soon do I cut the umbilical cord?
How to cut the umbilical cord.

Firefighters "Help" Newborn Baby

2008-06-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

I came across this article today.
Home delivery: baby episode 'all in a day's work' for firefighters

It states:

Firefighters outside St. John's took part in a happy emergency Monday, helping a couple through the moments immediately after the delivery of their baby....

"The father had the baby in his hands. Our guys grabbed their obstetrical kit from the rescue, they wrapped the baby, they clamped off the umbilical cord and as [hospital ambulance] arrived, they told them to cut the cord."

So the firefighters arrived and helped this family by yanking their baby out of its father's hands and doing things that didn't need to be done yet, like clamping and cutting the cord minutes after birth. Then they transferred a perfectly healthy baby to the hospital.

Some help.

This is one more example that birth outside of hospitals are not necessarily emergencies.

Quote of the Day

2008-06-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

"We must continue to develop a culture of preparedness in America in which every American takes personal responsibility for his or her own emergency preparedness."

From article: Hurricane Season Begins - Get Serious, Be Prepared

Birthing Without Technology

2008-06-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

There's a gal with a blog called, Midwifery Is Catching: The blog of someone following her calling to be a midwife - in a peak oil, medicalised, Westernised and traumatised society . She recently wrote a blog discussing peak oil.

She describes what she envisions the impact of peak oil may be on society. The following is an exerpt from her post.

What happens when power, energy, technology, healthcare and expertise has to be rationalised? When power and water are rationalised so women following a natural life process are not considered high-risk enough to warrant spending resources on them to have them birth on a given day, with pain relief or under a knife, in a hospital, where they then stay for a few days?

What happens when this rationalisation means that women are triaged and managed by a known midwife throughout her whole pregnancy, because we as a society have no choice but to rationalise? What happens when birth has to come out of hospitals and back into the home because of the realities of the future?Are the assisted reproduction, pain relief, "due date" choices that women birthing today have, a sign of the extravagence that we as a society are indulging in at the peak of our prosperity and moments before the downward slide that has hit EVERY other successful society in the past x thousand of years?

What happens to the rest of society when these changes come? How will women adjust to not having the processes that have become ubiquitous around birth? Where will the lore about pregnancy and birth and menstruations and the moon cycle and fertility come from, when it has been lost almost totally from normal society? How will people adjust to not being able to apply science to intractible infertility, or prematurity, or antenatal screening, or congenital defects?

So - what will I do? What will you do? In just this one aspect - how will you cope with fertility in the future? Are you in touch with your body? Do you require drugs or barrier methods to avoid pregnancy? What will you do when they stop being readily available? How will you access antenatal care if you do fall pregnant? Could you ascertain that you were in fact pregnant, without a stick to pee on?

Would you trust your body enough to birth a babe without technology?

I have given birth at home, without technology 5 times. I testify that it is possible and that "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." (joseph smith)

Being Fully Prepared

2008-06-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is short and sweet, but I have a couple of thoughts. We had our third unassisted birth at the end of September of 2005 and our daughter, is now just over 3 months old.

Anyway, to get to my point. I was prepared, of course, physically and even mentally. But I had some emotional preparation which wasn't quite complete. This created, for me, less integration of the pain. It hurt, dang it. With Regan I knew that and yet it wasn't even a quarter as painful as my first birth. With Aisling I knew that, but I had homeschooling, two busy children, a household, a calling etc etc etc to keep my mind off the much needed emotional, mental and spiritual preparation that is important.

Keep this in mind when preparing for a birth, whether at home, the hospital or wherever. Preparation doesn't just mean washing baby's clothes and diapers and having warm towels ready. It means connecting with the Lord and with your baby and being in tune with your own body. I will likely expand on this in the future, but we are busy packing to move and just with everything, I continue procrastinating.

Written by Mary Seiver

Teaching Emergency Preparedness

2008-06-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

It is interesting how disaster softens hearts and broadens minds. People eagerly come together to help others, sacrificing their precious time and money. Disasters also uniquely motivate people to create change in an attempt to prevent such from occuring again. In the wake of hurricane Katrina we find an opportunity to share with our community, church body, friends, and family, principles of emergency preparedness, or Provident Living.

I know that many of my friends are interested in spreading the word and preparing those in their sphere for the next natural disaster or act of terrorism. Lori Silva is considering hosting an EMS emergency childbirth training in the rec. room of the complex where she lives. Sharon, an internet friend, approached the leader of her womens' group at church about teaching an emergency childbirth class. As she has done often over the years, Jenny Hatch plans to teach a Provident Living class in her home in October. I am considering formulating a class that incorporates babywearing, emergency childbirth, breastfeeding and other provident living principles.

Written by Susana Fierro-Baig

If Ye are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear

2008-06-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

In our search for emergency preparedness info, Lori and I have found some sources that we hope will assist those wanting to learn for themselves and/or possibly prepare others for the specific needs a pregnant woman has in a crisis situation. These sources are listed below and include my review.

I found this quote while searching Google, which partially explains why childbirth preparedness is so important:

Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) welcomes Diana McMullen, R.N., to the Childbirth Education division of OMH’s Health Education Department... said McMullen. “My goal is to help parents experience the best labor and delivery possible. I aim to do this by making childbirth less of a mystery. The unknown is scary for most. The less fear parents have going into childbirth will hopefully decrease the pain and make the overall experience more enjoyable.

Joseph Smith once said, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear."

It is my belief that overcoming fear through parental preparation makes the birth experience more enjoyable, AND more safe, at all times, but critically so during a crisis situation.
*****************************************************************************
1) While reading all of the cited sources belowI noticed not one of them mentions the fact Childbirth Requires Physical and Spiritual Preparation. Read the article I wrote.

2) The book, "Emergency Childbirth: A Manual" by Greg White, M.D.

This is a concise, thin book that every expectant couple should own, or at least read. You can find a link to this in the navigation bar on the left of this blog.)

3) A Service Learning Student Work Project entitled, "Emergency Preparedness for the Pregnant Woman" can be viewed as a Power Point presentation hosted on the Spirit-Led birth website.

This project was very well done, with colorful illustrations and is very informative. The participants assessed the level of emergency childbirth preparednesss in their county and created this presentation which they shared with hospitals, clinics etc.

Although I find the childbirth instructions valuable, I do not support the recommendations to have a laboring woman breath "Hee Hee Hee" or to give a laboring woman perineal massage.

The breathing pattern, "hee, hee hee" is recommended by Lamaze and is unnatural. The Bradley method teaches slow, deep breathing as we do in our sleep. As for perineal massage, as the presentation cited below, "The Evidence Speaks Out: Normal Labor and Childbirth" states, perineal massage hasn't been shown to be helpful. Also, many women I know find perineal massage indecent. Of course, I do recommend applying oil and hot towels.)

The following is an exerpt from the presentation:

Access to healthcare:

When under an attack, sometimes we can not get any healthcare. People may be confined to their homes, or running for their lives. This information can help a pregnant women prepare supplies and have knowledge of first aid preparation incase she is alone during an attack.

It is important to provide the community, especially the childbearing woman, with the necessary services and education in the event of an emergency. It is important for the pregnant woman and her family to have as broad a base as possible so that they are better able to plan their next course of action. Should an emergency occur, the potential for complications would be greatly increased due to a lack of education.

The knowledge about emergency preparedness for the pregnant woman could potentially drastically decrease complications. The pregnant woman needs to be proactive in her own care. She must become more self-reliant.Childbirth classes should now include self-birthing instructions with written guidelines for reference in an emergency.Pregnant women around the country and the world can benefit from this information. There are dangers of terrorists attacks all the time. If you and your partner are prepared for such as disaster, better outcomes will occur.

4) The "Online Emergency Preparedness Manual" can be viewed via PDF file.

I found this manual years ago, before Y2K. This was the first emergency preparedness source that I had found that included a chapter dedicated to emergency childbirth. The instructions are helpful, likely written by a Bradley Natural Childbirth instructor. I do take issue, however, with the recomendation to have the laboring woman lie on her back with her knees pulled back. This is totally erroneous. A laboring women should be free to labor as she feels the need. She can birth on her knees, while sitting, squatting, or laying on her side.)

5) Where There Is No Doctor , a village health care handbook by David Wernerwith Carol Thurman and Jane Maxwell(I haven't read this, though I am intrigued by the book description below.)

MOTHERS AND MIDWIVES will find useful the clear, easy-to-understand information for home birth, care of the mother, and child health.The physical and psychological strain of coping with disaster can make it hard to remember what to do when disaster strikes. This book presents the basics of survival in an easy to understand format. Among the topics covered are: Choking, Heart Attack, CPR, Shock, Burns, Emotional Trauma, Bleeding, Fainting, Tending to Wounds, Broken Bones, Childbirth, Auto Breakdown, and Temperature Extremes.

6) "The Evidence Speaks Out: Normal Labor and Childbirth" can be viewed as a PDF.

7) "Organizing For Emergencies" a general emergency preparedness article from TheNewHomeMaker.com

Necessity and Birthing

2008-06-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

So I don't delay posting on here any longer... I am going to relate some of my personal experiences and thoughts about childbirth and the necessity of being prepared and NOT relying on someone else to take care of it for you.

Both of my children, now aged 6 and aged 4 were born at home without the assistance of a doctor or a midwife. My birth stories are posted elsewhere, and I won't go into detail here, but I am going to explain my reasoning for birthing this way.

(Also, I am going to be having my third unassisted birth in just a few weeks. So this isn't new to me.)

In light of Hurricane Katrina, and other natural disasters (and some not so natural) in these times, there is a growing need to be better prepared to rely on our own resources. In past years, women have been more resourceful in this area, able to live through hardships, fend for themselves without the modern conveniences we experience today. Now, I don't categorise birth as "hardship", but I do believe it is something that needs preparation, faith and understanding to accomplish.

When we chose to birth unassisted, we didn't do it under some notion to be "brave" or "better." We were seriously criticised from many angles for choosing this path, and probably still are (albeit not to our faces). However, we do not, nor ever will, regret making these choices. And recently, seeing how others have been "forced" to fend for themselves, and not being prepared to do so, I am doubly glad that we are able to do this.

Giving birth without anyone in attendance doesn't crate fear or panic in me in any regard. I know it does for many others who have not considered this option. My belief though is that this needs to change. I am not saying that all births are going to be at home, without assistance, or without need for help. There are experiences where extra help is needed. However, I am also of the strongest opinion that women are entitled to and do receive divine inspiration in how to handle their births. In emergency situations where no help is at hand, or likely to be at hand, it is important to know what to do. This is apparent in many areas, but for a pregnant woman, crucially so.

I will expound on this some more (as time permits) in the future.

Written by: Mary Seiver

National Preparedness Month

2008-06-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

The Department of Homeland Security website states:
"September is National Preparedness Month.

Welcome to the National Preparedness Month Website. Thank you for your interest in this important initiative designed to promote public emergency preparedness. On this Website you will learn how you can participate in National Preparedness Month 2005 and prepare yourself and your family for emergencies....

During September, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the American Red Cross and the National Preparedness Month Coalition Members asks all Americans to take some simple steps to prepare for emergencies including getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being informed about different threats and getting involved in preparing their communities.

To learn more about how you and your family can prepare for emergencies orget involved visit: ready.gov redcross.org or citizencorps.gov

We invite you to review the National Preparedness Month information on this Website, and to participate in this important effort."

Slings for Hurricane and Tsunami Victims

2008-06-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

HUGS: Help Us Give Slings

The Gift of Baby Slings: Tsunami and Hurricane Aid

Why did HUGS Begin?

On December 26, 2004 my family woke up to the horrifying news of the earthquake in Indonesia and the subsequent tsunami that caused devestation in Southeast Asia.

We were particularly shocked since our father lives in Jakarta, Indonesia as a representative of the United Nations organization, UNIDO- United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

A year prior I visited Jakarta and received a beautiful selendang baby sling. I observed mothers and fathers carrying their content babies and toddlers with such ease and convenience. It was then that I decided to carry my future child in the same traditional manner.

My son and I have enjoyed the same joys and benefits of carrying a “koala baby.” When he was an infant I was able to complete my chores with him snuggled up against me either watching the goings on or sleeping soundly by the sound of my heartbeat; now that he is a toddler I have switched him to my hip where he loves to interact. Since our family has such a convenient connection to Indonesia we thought that there must be something that we could do in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster.

How does HUGS make a difference?

This is our families attempt to contribute to the hundreds of mothers whose babies were born in the refugee camps, as well as our effort to promote the practice of “baby wearing” among parents in the United States. HUGS is selling the slings purchased in Jakarta, Indonesia to raise funds and to teach mothers the art of using the traditional baby sling. All monies are sent back to Jakarta to purchase more slings.

While on mission with the UNIDO my father distributes the slings to mothers living in refugee camps in tsunami affected regions. It is our hope that the selendang sling will be received as a useful and beautiful gift.

HUGS: Helping hurricane victims

In light of the recent Hurricane Katrina, HUGS has collected and delivered sheets to refugees in Texas to use as emergency slings. A sling is particularly useful when strollers are out of the question and while a mother is trying to carry a child and what little belongings she may have. HUGS is teaching aid workers the very simple, practical and SAFE way of moving about with a child during an emergency situation through babywearing. Please join us to hear about our disaster relief efforts to assist mothers in tsunami affected regions in Indonesia, and hurricane Katrina in the United States.

HUGS offers babywearing demonstrations

Jun-Nicole will demonstrate how you can use everyday household items as emergency baby carriers and how to use two traditional Asian baby carrying methods: the Indonesian selendang sling and the Japanese onbuhimo back carrier. A variety of batik selendang slings and sarongs will be available for purchase. The material has many uses beyond the traditional baby carrier. We have used ours as a blanket, sun protection, and as a changing surface...the gorgeous prints could be used as wearable art as a sarong skirt or shawl; a decoration as a table or altar cloth, wall hanging, curtain or bed spread. The class is free of charge and open to all. HUGS asks for a donation of $5, the cost to donate one sling to a mother in an internally displaced persons camp.

Contact Hugs:

http://us.f316.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jnmatsushita@mchsi.com

HUGS Project

2008-06-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

Read this article: HUGS: Help Us Give Slings Local Family Personalizes Tsunami Relief with Gift of Traditional Baby Carriers

UN worker, Masayoshi Matsushita, and his daughters give traditional selendang slings to mothers living in refugee camps and tsunami-affected regions.

A $5 donation buys 1 new sling for an Indonesian mother. The selendangs are also for sale to American mothers for $20.

Selendang fabric samples

Written by Susana Fierro-Baig

Babywearing As Emergency Preparedness

2008-06-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

Susana Baig of Emergency Childbirthing was the first person I heard talk about baby slings
being emergency preparedness items. Our family has benefited immensely from the practical use of babycarrying since the birth of our first child, nine years ago.

My sling has come in handy as a lightweight baby blanket, as a changing pad and pillow when on the go, as a discreet covering whenin the predicament of needing to nurse in public, to free my hands so that I can get housework donewhile holding my baby and to ward off well meaning, but aggressive baby "snatchers" at churchservices or elsewhere. Besides all of that, slings are fun. They're the best way for new parents andgrandparents to show off their new gift from God.

Sweetest of all for me has been the mother -childbonding which is inherent in babywearing, long after the very deep maternal-infant bonding that takes place directly after a well-managed birth. Yet, with all of the ways I've used a carrier, never once did I consider it to be an emergency device.This morning, Susana shared with me a link to WearYourBaby.com which is currently featuring video demonstrations of emergency babycarrying in lieu of Hurricane Katrina.

Shortly thereafter, I came across this article , "New Orleans Disaster Has Messagefor Our Country," which analyzes the lesson the New Orleans disaster has for us, saying that "Americans are great at improvising responses to emergencies, and at rushing aid totheir neighbors," but that "Americans are often not good at preparing for attacks and emergencies, even when the handwriting is on the wall in letters 10 feet high."

The writers conclude with a powerful warning:

In spite of our best security efforts, a major terrorist attack-major enough to make 9-11 look like a prelude -is possible. And the potential for gigantic naturaldisasters isn't limited to the Gulf Coast. If what happened in New Orleans doesn't wake this countryup to its deficiencies in emergency planning, it is not just sleeping but comatose.

The woman demonstrating emergency babywearing at WearYourBaby.com may not be a Christian, but I felt the Holy Ghost in what she is doing and in her kind words to fellow victims of Katrina.

The brunt of Hurricane Katrina may be past. But who knows what's in store for the future in the United States? Visit WearYourBaby.com. Let your children lead the way in reviewing the videos over and over until they have mastered and are teaching you and others the art of emergency babywearing.

If you are one of the growing numbers of mothers who carry their babies as a matter of habit, be sure to mention to anyone who comments on your sling, what a wonderful emergency preparedness device and practice it is and how it is one that they should have too!

A final note: Keep in mind that neither babywearing, with it's myriad benefits, nor studying emergency childbirth procedures or basic emergency preparedness (including the storage of clean, drinking water) means nothing if one hasn't taken the primary step -the essential and first step of readiness in obeying the everlasting gospel.

Written by: LORI ANN SILVA

Teaching Emergency Childbirth Procedures

2008-06-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I e-mailed two, local Red Cross chapters inquiring about emergency childbirth classes. I have yet to hear back from either of them.

We live in Los Angeles, a major city. Just now, I called our local, Red Cross, Health Education classes phone number, only to find that they do not include emergency childbirth in their emergency preparedness courses. They do offer disaster classes without childbirth instruction. But those classes are only available to REd Cross employees or volunteers and not the public.

Basic childbirth procedures should be at least as common knowledge as CPR. In times of emergency, anyone might be called upon to assist a woman giving birth. An understanding of the birth process is helpful, not only for times of national disaster, (when hospitals are jammed or destroyed,) but also in the event of precipitous labor.

One man, fleeing Hurricane Katrina, just days ago, who had a woman in the back of his car in labor said, "I just didn't know what to do."In contrast, another Katrina survivor gave birth to her son while stranded in an attic, with the help of loved ones who did know what to do. The baby was delivered by his father with the help of other family members. They attributed their being prepared and knowing what to do to watching the Birth Channel.

Last, there are growing numbers of women dissastisfied with hospital birth settings who are choosing to birth at home. These women will be capable of giving birth or assisting at birth in times of local and national disaster. If you know a woman who has given birth at home, be sure and pick her brain to find out what the essentials of emergency childbirth are and stay in touch with her. She may prove to be a valuable resource to you or someone you know down the road.

In all fairness to the Red Cross, the young woman I spoke with was very kind and more than willing to send my request for emergency childbirth classes to her supervisor as well as my suggestion that childbirth procedures be added to Red Cross Emergency Preparedness courses.

If we can get the Red Cross to offer Emergency Preparedness, including standard, childbirth procedures for the public, maybe we'll be getting somewhere.

Written by Lori Ann with contributions from Susana

Babies Born, People Suffering and Dying During Hurricane Katrina

2008-06-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

A photo is worth a thousand words:

Mothers and babies suffering and in jeopardy of dying.

Emergency preparedness saves lives.

Information about medically unassisted, or emergency childbirth, breastfeeding and sling wearing are integral to emergency preparedness and can reduce suffering and save lives!

Newborn

Thoughts on the Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Mother & Babies

2008-06-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

As I read about the devastation taking place now due to hurricane Katrina, I am concerned for expectant mommas, and mommas with babies. Here are some excerpts from news articles about Katrina that I read tonight and the thoughts they evoked.

Doctors in their scrubs had to use canoes to bring supplies to blacked-out-hospitals... Hospitals were running out of power and scrambling to find places to take their patients..."It's like being in a Third World country," said Mith Handrich, a registered nurse manager at Charity Hospital where nurses were ventilating patients by hand after the power and then the backup generator failed. Some 300 patients had yet to be evacuated, but the babies in intensive care had been flown out."We're just trying to stay alive," Handrich said. ( Source: Advanced AP Crisis Grows As Flooded New Orleans Looted. )

My thought: If "(i)n the United States, 99 percent of births occur in hospitals, including most midwife-attended births," what happens when the United States becomes like a Third World country without power, supplies, or enough physicians?

One childbirth website states that "Currently 25% of babies born in the United States are surgically delivered from their mothers' bodies. Another 50% are born to mothers who are numb from the waist down and tangled in a web of tube and wires."

What happens during chaotic times when hospitals are under supplied, short of hands, in ruins, maxed-out, or impossible to reach?(Actually the cesarean rate is even higher than the statistic cited above. A recent USA Today article stated, "C-sections hit an all-time high of 27.6% in 2003, the most recent year for which information is available.")
So when a crisis occurs, what happens to women who depend on obstetricians and nurse midwives to deliver their babies? I know it took me years of study and prayer and epiphanies to be able to birth at home medically unassisted with ease. What took so long was reprogramming my brain from all the years of being brainwashed. I needed to shed the dependence on medical professionals that I had been indoctrinated with all my life.I needed to learn to trust God, my body, and the birth process.

I have now given birth at home 5 times, the last 4 with just my husband and family assisting me. I now know that I can give birth without medical help - even without bothering to time my contractions or checking for dilation. What would I have done if the hospital was unavailable all those years ago when I had been told that I needed to check-in to the hospital once my contractions were 5 minutes apart? What would I have done without having a hand inserted into me and being told when it was ok for me to "push?"

It brings to mind something Brigham Young once said,"...here is a growing evil in our midst. It will be so in a little time that not a woman in all Israel will dare to have a baby unless she can have a doctor by her. I will tell you what to do, you ladies, when you find you are going to have an increase, go off into some country where you cannot call for a doctor and see if you can keep it. I guess you’ll have it, and I guess it will be all right, too." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 15, pg. 255)

This statement was made long before the c-section rate was 1 out of 4 births. Now all these cesareans that are occuring make this statement less favorable for a woman who has previously given birth via abdominal surgery. Although VBAC's can safely occur, there is of course a concern involved in vagnal birth after cesarean that a woman who has never had a cesarean doesn't share.

I think that most of the births that will occur during a crisis (like the one caused by Katrina) will be complication free. Even so, I am also sure that the unprepared women and those around them will be terrified. I have watched several episodes of Amazing Births and I have seen frightened fathers drive crazily, one father driving about 100 miles an hour with his hands off the steering wheel even, just to try to get to a hospital before the baby was born.

I once wrote an article about this entitled Safe At Home. I wish such parents knew that homebirth is safe and preferable to risking lives in a fast moving vehicle.In reading through the coverage about hurricane Katrina I read through several emergency preparedness lists for future possible disasters. I didn't see anything about preparing for disasters by avoiding cesareans and studying homebirth as well as emergency childbirth.

Which leads me to the second point I want to make. I also didn't read anything about the importance of breastfeeding and sling wearing from an emergency preparedness standpoint. I did read this though:

The federal government began rushing baby formula, communications equipment, generators, water and ice into hard-hit areas, along with doctors, nurses and first-aid supplies....They were brought by the truckload into shelter, some in wheelchairs and some carrying babies, with stories of survival and of those who didn't make it.(Source: Dozens killed when hurricane roars onshore Allen G. Breed, Associated Press)

My thoughts: Thank God for breastfeeding! Warm milk in our bodies, readily available and free! Priceless, life-giving-liquid-gold. What could happen to babies without it? Death.

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Isaiah 49:14-16

What will moms who forget their childrens' needs and put their own desires first, (by choosing to bottlefeed) do in a crisis? What will happen to the babies of ill-informed, misguided, or uneducated mothers if the government can't get formula to them? Hopefully they meet a breastfeeding mother who will nurse their child. A mother with plenty of priceless breastmilk.

Another thought: How wonderful to have a sling! When I watched the coverage of the tsunami months ago I thought of how easy it would be to have your baby swept out of your arms in a flood. I held my baby closer and thought how much safer babies would be in any crisis if they were carried in a sling. I carry my little girl in my sling most of the day and she holds on to me snuggly. I often marvel at how secure she obviously feels with her little fist balled around my shirt or her arm holding mine. She falls asleep so easily in the sling and she just melts into dreamy sleep. If I have to bend over while holding her she holds on tight! Every mom should wear a sling .

I realized today that this is one emergency preparedness item I already own! The last point I want to make before retreating to my bed that I share with my husband and baby, is related to this statement:

At a drug store in the French Quarter, people were running out with grocery baskets and coolers full of soft drinks, chips and diapers. ( Source: Advanced AP Crisis Grows As Flooded New Orleans Looted )

My thought: I guess this is one reason for stocking cloth diapers in an emergency preparedness kit. It is also another reason for my learning more about elimination communication.

Written by:Susana Fierro-Baig