"Gabriel Marin III was delivered stillborn June 15 at 4:15 a.m. at full term at Walla Walla General Hospital after complications arose during a home labor attended" by Oregon midwife Sherry Dress, according to the death certificate, Hagar writes. Walla Walla County Coroner Richard Greenwood "said he and others believe the infant would have lived if Dress had acted differently as she guided the labor."
"The cause of baby Gabriel’s death is listed as prolonged labor with fetal hypoxia, or inadequate oxygen," Hagar writes. "Other complications included the baby’s failure to descend through the mother’s pelvis during labor, plus too much carbon dioxide in his blood. Greenwood said the end came long after the beginning. Under Dress’ direction for most of the time, Magill labored about 55 hours at home before going to Walla Walla General Hospital for an emergency cesarean section. When the couple and Dress arrived at General Hospital, the unborn infant still had heart tones. The move to the hospital came at the insistence of Magill’s family." Greenwood told Hagar, "I think a normal midwife would have sent (Magill) to the hospital." Dress has yet to be charged with any crimes but is under investigation.
One of the problems is a lack of education about midwives, Hagar writes. When Sarah Magill and Gabe Marin hired Dress they did not know she had been barred from practicing in Washington two years earlier. "Magill said she wishes she knew before hiring Dress what she knows now about midwives and what to watch for, including if a midwife is in compliance with the law and is guided by health-care standards."
"In the U.S., two types of midwives are generally recognized under most state laws," Hagar writes. "Certified nurse midwives are trained in nursing, often at advanced practice levels, and in midwifery. They typically work in a hospital setting. Licensed direct-entry midwives, sometimes called lay midwives, train through a midwifery school, apprenticeship or self-study. They work in homes or independent birth centers." (Read more)
Sheri Dress is a wonderful midwife who has delivered more babies than Ina May Gaskin. To my knowledge, this is the first baby she has ever lost. I am curious that any hospital has anywhere near as low of a mortality rate that she does. Losing a baby in birth is terribly sad. It is only natural to direct that pain to someone or something else, possibly the midwife in attendance. Sheri may or may not have made the right choice but she is not a bad midwife, nor does she exemplify why midwives are so allegedly dangerous. Birthing has and always will have the dangers of the possible loss of both mom and baby. Tragic though it may be, this deep rooted sense of struggle gives meaning and strength to our species. I would encourage anyone doubting the capabilities and safety of their midwife to check her record against that of a prospective hospital and to rationally examine and think through what they might expect from a hospital birthing experience vs. a midwife birthing experience.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately my son died in her care too and unfortunately she doesn’t tell you all the babies that have died in her care. She was extremely negligent in my case. I could take her to court but it wouldn’t bring my son back and I’m not that type of person. If someone is medically responsible for people they need to be medically responsible. And she was not. She moved in with me a week before my son was born and had a broken foot so me and my husband needed to help while she was staying with us. She couldn’t drive that’s why someone had to drop her off to our house in case I went into labor. Inappropriate. She would take baths with the door wide open. Inappropriate. I had a horrific migraine that she consistently told me not to go to the hospital for. Finally I broke down and went and found out I had a sinus infection. She later blamed my sons death on the medication I had to take for that. When I was in labor she turned of my calming music so she could watch hallmark movies. She got hostile with us when we made cupcakes one night accusing us of raising our son with toxic food. It caught us off guard. She also came with hundreds of dollars worth of supplements from her store that she had me buy with my food stamps card. Very pushy. You need to take these. Made it seem like she was giving them to me then charges me. It all felt very uncomfortable but she was also very warm and friendly and this was my first child so I didn’t know how these things went. I had just moved to town. I held so much guilt for so long. Until I learned that as mother’s, we aren’t the ones that are supposed to know everything about our care. They are. There should be a healthy relationship between medical providers and I could definitely feel a me vs them mentality with Sherri. Her 18 year old assistant was doing most of the work and I am convinced that’s where things went wrong. The poor woman quit and left early the next morning and never went back to it. She was traumatized by the experience. Sherri wasn’t present enough. She didn’t call 911 right away. It was only after she stopped doing cpr, hugged me and said I’m sorry, did I say can someone call 911? After they took him I asked to go to the hospital to be with my husband and my son and she said NO. Her excuse was “we need to get you stabilized.” Okay but if something where to happen to me I would be on the way to the hospital any…..Again, not the right judgement. She never gave me medical care after that. I needed stitches and she didn’t give me any. Never referred me on to any other professionals. And since I didn’t give birth in the hospital, no one really knew about me. So I gave birth to a dead baby, my midwife left town, and I was left postpartum with no medical or grief support. She tried charging me thousands of dollars when I didn’t owe her anything. My sister had to deal with her. The hospital staff said that they believe he would have lived had he been born in hospital. It was horrific. That happened October 16, 2013.
DeleteSherry has lost more than this darling baby. She has been telling her other clients that it is not her fault, because I honestly don't think she sees it as her doing. Midwives are not dangerous; prideful midwives who mistake the signs of a distressed baby for a tired mom are dangerous. She must be stopped.
ReplyDeleteYou, along with others are so ignorant. Go tell that to any parent who loses their child and look them in the eye. From just reading your comment you are just a cowardly person who wouldn't have the guts to tell that family your little statement. Its a good thing you kept your name anonymous 'cause that just proves how cowardly you are. Midwives still need medical help and there may be good midwives but people need to know the greater risk of a home birth. A midwife should be held responsible. I am guessing very few will actually accept a heavy penalty. Your little comment t says and does nothing about people who have lost their child. Tragic? is that the best word you have? Tragic? is that what you think this family feels? YOU KNOW NOTHING OF WHAT TRAGIC FEELS!!! You are an idiot to think that this baby was the first to pass away. There have been others who passed at the hands of Sherri. Come at me with some more of your little comments because in real life you are a pathetic person who acts tough online and if you were to ever know who I am and why I am leaving this message on this article I would crush you and who ever stands in my face and tells that crap.
ReplyDeleteI had all my children with Sherry . She knows well as I that there is always a risk in birth it's a long painful journey. Everyone I know has had babies with her . I wouldn't have done it without her there . Coming from a mom who lost a child as humans we have to blame no matter what the cause. It's part of the grief that comes natural.. God say it dosent matter the age it's the lesson of what he will teach you in the Journey of grief. Im Thankful for the experience of his Love . The tears disappear and his lesson has shown through the clouds.its When you Get to that point you know his Love and his plan. I use to ask why me? Now I say why not me. If I can feel happiness I can feel pain I'm not lucky or un lucky. Im just human who knows God's love and plan death knows no age has know limits ..I always say see you in a minute willow or is it a blink of a eye. Thank you Jesus for the experience that made me who I am today for letting me know I can handle anything .for knowing true pain and heartache. For holding my hand and teaching me life is gonna hurt yet the sun still shines and the stars still come out at night.
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