If you have been following me for any amount of time, you know that a hot topic for me is the mother’s right to choose how she births her child. This cause is one of the main reasons I am going to go to Midwifery school next year. I think it is appalling that any person or agency can tell a mother where or how she has to give birth to her child.
This has been brought to the forefront of my mind again. Today on Facebook, I saw a heartbreaking story. This is a true story and one that just makes my blood boil with outrage for this family. A brief synopsis of the situation is this…
Baby Ruth was born on July 21st. The birth was briefly complicated with shoulder dystocia (baby was not able to move forward in the birth canal because of her shoulder position). This condition can be dangerous but the baby was born and appeared to be healthy. Later that evening, the parents decided that the baby needed to be seen at a local ER because she was fussier than she had been previously. The hospital conducted numerous tests and determined the baby had nerve damage in her arms. They called authorities and the baby was taken from her parents citing medical neglect.
Authorities said they were guilty of medical neglect because they chose to have a homebirth. The baby seems to be recovering well and is a happy and healthy little girl. The baby was originally put in foster care and the parents were only able to see her twice for a few hours. At this time, the baby is with the mother’s parents and they are allowed to see her for a few hours each day. She is a newborn baby and has been kept from her parents.
(all of the above information taken from their Facebook page)
This angers me beyond words. How can anyone say that these parents are guilty of medical neglect? The child could have been born in a hospital, but that does not mean that there would not be complications? NO! A cesarean was suggested and that certainly means that there could be serious complications, including death. I am so infuriated that this sweet baby has been kept from her mother and father. Thank goodness she is with her grandparents and getting the love she deserves but it is wrong. It is wrong that this family is torn apart because of a decision that should be no one’s business but the parent’s.
Where you have your child should be as much of your decision as to have a child in the first place. I don’t understand how something like this could happen to a couple that very obviously loves their child. They did not choose a homebirth for malicious reasons… they did so because they thought it was the right thing for them and their child. These parents are highly educated, informed individuals. This should not be happening to them.
I am making this my personal mission to encourage others to stand up for the woman’s right to birth her child where and how she chooses. This should be her personal (informed) choice, not that of a doctor, the government, or anyone else. I will be writing letters to authorities and praying for this family every day. I can’t imagine being away from my newborn because someone else thinks they can govern my life and my body.
If you want to support this family, please visit them on Facebook at Bring Ruth Home!
Michaela says
That is just insane!! That could have happened anywhere. No one should have the right to tell a woman where she can or can’t give birth. Personally I would have rather had my children at home too. I pray that little Ruth gets to go home to her parents soon.
Debby Pucci says
That could have happened at the hospital too! That is a very sad story.
Rachel C says
Hard to believe that the “authorities” could take a child from the parents in this situation. They don’t seem to have intentionally harmed their child, yet others who do harm their children go unpunished. I hope all the people involved in this case find it in their hearts to do what is right for the child.
Chantal says
I hate this issue too! Why are we as women letting the government brainwash us into thinking that we don’t know how to birth, or what is best for our families? I agree, that it is time to stop letting them get away with it!
HisBell says
That story made my tummy turn… I use to work with foster children and people have no clue how that messes with a child. Reminds me of my kitten reference yesterday. http://wp.me/pSQ1c-tz
I’m 100% behind you on this fight!
Carol Wiethaupt says
I read this yesterday. Outrageous and very sad. Although if I was told I needed a c section I would have chose the hospital to give birth, but I still feel very bad for this couple. I hope and pray they get her back very soon!!
Nickie says
This is INSANE! It’s okay/legal to have an abortion… but it’s not okay for a woman to choose to give birth at home? How does that make any sense at all? And what about all the preventable problems that happen during hospital deliveries? Crazy, just crazy. The long arm of the government needs to be cut off… it has gotten entirely out of hand!