? for those who've given birth without DH

Joie80 · February 2012

How did you inform YH? My understanding is that the red cross handles emergency messages. Will they let DH know when I'm in labor, or do I try to go through them once LO gets here? Any input is appreciated!

NSL · February 2012

My H had Internet access while he was deployed, so I kept him apprised via Skype and e-mail. I believe the Red Cross will send a message once the baby is born, though I could be wrong.

daisy770 · February 2012

My hubby will be deployed when our sweet baby is born. He was told that he would be able to be present via Skype for the birth. They will keep him close to a computer when it gets close to my due date to make sure he's avaliable to "be there." When I am on the way to the hospital I will have a special number to call to get intouch with his command. My hubby is a Marine - I'm not sure how other branches of the military handle this.

Smudges*Mom · February 2012

My DH had a cell phone over there. I think my MIL called him. . . or he called, sadly, I was so out of it that I don't remember. Can you ask someone in the Rear Detachment or someone in the FRG who would know? My understanding is that the hospital can send a Red Cross message after the baby has been born.

Best of luck. I hope you are able to communicate with your DH.

LemonLover33 · February 2012

The red cross will send the message AFTER baby is born. Not a second before.

adreajoy · February 2012

Not to be Debbie Downer but I just want to add that skype isn't always an option--- not all hospitals have WIFI and not all deployment areas have internet readily available either. I would check before I had my mind set on it so that you don't get your hopes up!

Good Luck with everything!

hippiegirl884 · February 2012

When I gave birth my H was in Basic and I had to call red cross and let them know. They then called the hospital to talk with the doctor and confirmed that I gave birth and then they called where my H was...he was able to call me a few hours after the birth but was only allowed to talk for 2 min. It sucked because as soon as I got off the phone with him the nurse came in and told me my son had to go to the nicu because of complications...I was not able to talk to him about it for about 3 weeks when he graduated.

Dancer6978 · February 2012

It turned out that I had to have a c-section, so I got a 12-hour notice during which to email him. He was able to get to a sat phone shortly after my c-section time.

What may be quicker than the Red Cross would be to have your husband's First Shirt call over to the AOR for you to try to get him to a phone to call you.

Joie80 · February 2012

Dancer6978:

It turned out that I had to have a c-section, so I got a 12-hour notice during which to email him. He was able to get to a sat phone shortly after my c-section time.

What may be quicker than the Red Cross would be to have your husband's First Shirt call over to the AOR for you to try to get him to a phone to call you.

I'm not really sure what this means. We've only been married a year and our 2 year courtship was spent pretty far away from base and he was non-deployable at the time, so I'm still learning the lingo. I'm not sure I know who/what the first shirt is. Is this someone I'd have to call directly? At this point, DH does not have a phone where I can call him directly. What exactly is the AOR?

Joie80 · February 2012

Thanks to all who responded. I'm pretty sure we won't be able to make Skype happen, but I'm just trying to research all our options. Thanks again.

Dancer6978 · February 2012

Joie80:
Dancer6978:

It turned out that I had to have a c-section, so I got a 12-hour notice during which to email him. He was able to get to a sat phone shortly after my c-section time.

What may be quicker than the Red Cross would be to have your husband's First Shirt call over to the AOR for you to try to get him to a phone to call you.

I'm not really sure what this means. We've only been married a year and our 2 year courtship was spent pretty far away from base and he was non-deployable at the time, so I'm still learning the lingo. I'm not sure I know who/what the first shirt is. Is this someone I'd have to call directly? At this point, DH does not have a phone where I can call him directly. What exactly is the AOR?

So sorry! The First Segeant is almost like the "school counselor" for the unit. S/he helps take care of any "issues" with the troops, personal or professional. The AOR = Area of Responsibility (literally) but is also slang for the deployed location.

Basically, his local unit's First Sergeant should be able to find out your husband's deployed unit's contact information, whether that be a phone number or the email address of the First Shirt or commander in the deployed location.

Yes, you should have the local First Shirt's number anyway, in case you ever need anything. Part of their job is to keep in touch with families of deployed service members. If you don't have it, ask your husband for it before you go into labor. His local stateside unit should be your contact for anything to help get a hold of him in the deployed location. You just have to reach out to them.

Joie80 · February 2012

Dancer6978:
Joie80:
Dancer6978:

It turned out that I had to have a c-section, so I got a 12-hour notice during which to email him. He was able to get to a sat phone shortly after my c-section time.

What may be quicker than the Red Cross would be to have your husband's First Shirt call over to the AOR for you to try to get him to a phone to call you.

I'm not really sure what this means. We've only been married a year and our 2 year courtship was spent pretty far away from base and he was non-deployable at the time, so I'm still learning the lingo. I'm not sure I know who/what the first shirt is. Is this someone I'd have to call directly? At this point, DH does not have a phone where I can call him directly. What exactly is the AOR?

So sorry! The First Segeant is almost like the "school counselor" for the unit. S/he helps take care of any "issues" with the troops, personal or professional. The AOR = Area of Responsibility (literally) but is also slang for the deployed location.

Basically, his local unit's First Sergeant should be able to find out your husband's deployed unit's contact information, whether that be a phone number or the email address of the First Shirt or commander in the deployed location.

Yes, you should have the local First Shirt's number anyway, in case you ever need anything. Part of their job is to keep in touch with families of deployed service members. If you don't have it, ask your husband for it before you go into labor. His local stateside unit should be your contact for anything to help get a hold of him in the deployed location. You just have to reach out to them.

Thanks! Smile

NavyAMwife · February 2012

Hey there. Im new so excuse the no abbreviations and what not. My husband is Deployed right now and is Navy. Do you have a Mac?? We Facetime which works just as well as Skype except Skype is not always allowed for military personel due to security reasons. Facetime comes with the comp and they cant do anything about that. Try to know his work schedule and know some of his friends that are on a different schedule. So if the baby comes and he is unreachable but you can reach one of the men out there... they will bend over backwards to make she he knows, even take his place on duty so he can come join you.

AshleyM1985 · February 2012

I just emailed my DH when I went to the ER and they told me we were having a baby... then I emailed him a few pics. We didn't set up webcamming or anything!

Lithigin · February 2012

His Rear D point of contact should be informed, by DH, of your due date, and will probably be expecting your call! I called Rear D at 3:30 in the morning, and he used his special CINGARS or Sat phone or whatever to call DH, who then called me on the hospital about 15 mins later. My mom was a little alarmed: "You're calling DH's coworker at this hour??" I told her simply that it is Rear D's job to liaise between home and deployed soldiers, and that a birth is a pretty big frickin' deal. He wasn't bothered in the least. Just be sure to have his name and # on your info sheet when you go to the hospital, and be sure to give him your room # or extension.

sammiesamstin · February 2012

Additional question on the same topic--slightly different situation. My DH is due to be activated (ARNG) and sent out of state 4 days before I'm due. He's been told I have to contact red cross, and they'll send him home as long as he is still stateside, but will not send him home once he's deployed. Noticed some comments about Red Cross not contacting until after baby is born, is this the same for those that are on orders but still within the US? 1st time I've dealt w/ this, so not sure exactly when (or if) he will be home.