Sad story from my birthing centre (warning: death)
Ceridwen21
member
DH and I went for our second prenatal class last night and everyone was talking about this incident, which the midwives addressed in our class and answered all of our questions. We had been out of town so missed it in the news.
The issue isn't that the baby died (since that unfortunately happens in hospitals too, and this birthing centre has a mortality rate that's actually slightly better than the average hospital in my province), but rather that 1st responders answered the 911 call, when protocol dictates that this is not the normal procedure (rather only an ambulance should have been sent).
It's a big story in the media because the 1st responders are making a big stink out of being barred from the room where the birth took place, even though they are significantly less trained in newborn resusitation as compared to the midwives.
The coroner's investigation is standard procedure for any death of a child under 5.
Very sad. My heart goes out to the family involved and to the midwives who are dealing with this added stress and attention.
I'm sorry if this was in any way inappropriate to share. I just wanted to talk about it with anyone who might be interested.
Re: Sad story from my birthing centre (warning: death)
Thanks for sharing. What a mess. It sounds like the birth center did things right and it was just a huge misunderstanding by the first responders about what a midwife's role is.
I feel so sad for that family.
Married since 06/19/2004|Anna born 11/19/2006|Charles born 11/1/11
Double undergrad graduation May 2011| Me: Psychology, DH: Communication| A long journey!
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While I agree with this, I think a lot of the controversy could have been avoided if they had let the firemen in the room. They would have seen the MWs knew what they were doing and likely let them continue. Since they couldn't see what was going on, they couldn't have known that.
I disagree.
"One fireman shouted that midwives barely have three hours of training; in fact, midwife training includes 4? years of study, L?onard added."
With that attitude, I highly doubt they would have "let" (I put this in quotations because they actually had no authority in the BC anyways) the MWs continue had they been permitted to enter the room.
Oscar born October 2011
Miscarriage at 8 weeks (August 2013)
DD due September 1, 2014
Ditto this. It is such a sad story for everyone involved... it will perpetuate misunderstanding of mws roles/training in the First Responders minds, it is such a horrible loss for the family, and such a horrible loss/stress for the midwives.
DS born 8/2010 - preliminary stages of SN int'l adoption - fur mama to 2 shelter dogs; cloth diapering, babywearing, EBFing mama
What an awful situation. I'm not sure if maybe the firefighters had their "opinions" about midwives before the incident or if this attitude came from the fact they weren't allowed in the center (and got offended when told they weren't needed).
Either way - the midwives did all they could for this poor little baby and it's a tragic ending for everyone involved. My heart goes out to the parents.
I disagree as well. Not to cast any negative stereotypes on first responders, because they are often truly heroic, but they are used to being just that- first responders who show up and take charge (as well they should in most situations). But in this case the education and experience of midwives surely outranks that of first responders, who likely would have done more harm than good. The MWs knew that, and were right to not let them in while waiting for neonatal specialists.
What a tragedy- my heart breaks for that family.
This incident took place in Canada. In your profile it looks like you live in the US. I'm guessing certifications/protocols/fines are different in Montreal than in Dallas.
T&Ps to everyone involved. What a tragedy.