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Hahahaha I love how it was a man who posted the comment about mothers having babies as dangerous. I mean, yes, women CAN die, but the mortality rate is SO low that most doctors encourage home births for the lower stress levels. I mean women were MADE to have babies. That's like saying "you should only have sex in a doctor's office is you have heart problems," It's really NOT that big of a deal.

- L, portland, or USA, 14/05/2009 02:29
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Folks, those you marvel at the lack of "toughness" regarding women having babies, it is indeed true that throughout the world and throughout time, women have had children. Nature has its way. But, you all seem to forget the staggering mortality rates for women and babies during birth in those times and places. Yeah, it works most of the time. But for too large a percentage it fails horribly. You might get by with taking chances that you will not run out of gas getting home, but why take any kind of chance with the mother or baby for some misguided romantic notion of child-birth? It isn't a disease, but it is a traumatic experience for mother and child (yes, medically it is). Why be dumb and take chances?

- Dave, Columbia, USA, 04/05/2009 12:07
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Yeah, good lord! How did women ever possibly manage to deliver a baby in the days of living on the frontier and remote areas without nationalized health care!

For that matter, how do primitive tribes in 2009 EVER manage to have babies in remote bush and jungle areas around the world in 2009!

Why that is simply preposterous and impossible! It simply can't be done without a proper hospital!

Modern mankind is so incredibly wimpy.

- Crockett, LA, USA, 03/05/2009 21:59
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That's a really good point, Margie. I hope midwives are included in our health plan (if we ever get one!). I used midwives (in a hospital setting) when I had my baby 2 years ago, and it was a great experience. I still use them as my OB/GYNs. How and when do we get to have any input, I wonder, as to what does get included in the plan?

- E, Albany, NY, 03/05/2009 21:25
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So he calls and the midwife is busy and he just says "ok, we'll just stay here then"? Why didn't he get her to the hospital?

- Daniel, Kennesaw, Georgia, 02/05/2009 17:18
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And I thought 2 days was a ridiculously short period of time for a woman to be in a hospital after the birth of her baby like we have here in the USA! But an hour or so is beyond comprehension! Especially after a home birth.
God help us if this is what is meant by national health care. We all know how well the govt. runs things.

- Susan, murrysville, pa, 02/05/2009 17:05
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My worry with National Healthcare isn't that the practitioners will be too busy, but that the practitioners will all be MD's. Midwives and Chiropractors are important providers of care for many people. The US model of care excludes them . . . I hope our national health plan doesn't.

- Margie Wallis, Dallas, TX, USA, 02/05/2009 16:59
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Good Catch!

- Donald, West Texas, 02/05/2009 16:32
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Ok, enough with the nationalized health care system scare comments. The UK is just one example there are other examples, like for instance Mexico... OK, nevermind, press on.

- Dan, Michigan, Obamanation, 02/05/2009 16:11
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This is the type of health care Obama wants for all of us. If you voted for him, I don't want to hear any complaints from you.

- Beth M., Houston, US, 02/05/2009 16:10
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If she was feeling pain at 10:30PM why didn't he take her to the hospital then?

- Crystal, Boston, MA EXPAT, 02/05/2009 15:57
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Having only experienced childbirth from the West Pond viewpoint, I had one impression from reading the story... and another, perhaps more complete one, from reading the comments. This was no great calamity, nor did it demonstrate the advantages of one health care philosophy over another. Thanks all, for the practical education! And best wishes to all your families.

- Will S, SoCal, USA, 02/05/2009 15:53
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Bob in DC - Although I am sympathetic about your situation, the fact that you feel safe natural homebirth is "absurd" just isn't backed up by the facts. The US has the highest infant mortality rate in the western world but the lowest rate of homebirth (1%). There's much to read about it.

- E, USA, 02/05/2009 15:46
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When Obaminiculus installs National Health Care in the USA, this is what all Americans will be facing.

- A. Blinken, Rockford, Illinois, USA, 02/05/2009 14:57
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Why is this news? His wife did all the work. He just held his hands out at the appropriate time.

- Leah, St. Louis, USA, 02/05/2009 14:02
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The midwife was "busy" and they were home by "6:30 am". National Health Care sounds like a disaster. Wait till Obama gets his hand on our private system! He and the Democrats have ALL the power and will do what they want. Dissenting voices are mocked by Obama.

- Msb, Springfield, Illinois, 02/05/2009 13:47
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" . . . but when I rang the midwife to come out she said they were busy at the hospital."

Seriously? This is the NHS? A homeless woman in a DC shelter would not have these troubles. Who's system is unjust now?

- Bob, Washington, DC, 02/05/2009 13:16
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As the father of two kids, I find many of the comments absurd. I love the concept that a midwife is preferable. So many people brainwashed in koolaide! And normal pregnancy is meaningless and is in no way a good predictor of normal delivery.

My wife had a perfectly normal pregnancy and planned on natural birth, albeit it with a heard monitor. But, the baby had the cord wrapped around its neck and could not be delivered naturally as with every contraction, the cord tightened causing the baby's pulse to bottom out. So, we had an emergency C-section. Yeah, a perfectly normal pregnancy. A midwife at home would have meant the death of our baby and the potential death of my wife. Blue light special medicine, oh boy.

Yeah, let's save a few bucks on almost as good health care. It's just the life and health of a baby.

- Dave, Columbia, USA, 02/05/2009 13:00
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Anyway congrats there pops

- Andy, Chicago, 02/05/2009 12:55
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Joseph-Just wait until WE get socialized medicine. We all will probably be delivering our own children.

"Delivering Babies for Dummies"

- Bill Cahill, Fort Worth, TX, 02/05/2009 12:24
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I know this may shock some of you, but babies can be born without doctors. Way to go Dad!

- Tamie, USA, 02/05/2009 12:21
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Ah yes, Youtube. . . where I go for all my medical information. . .

- Kevin, Atlanta,USA, 02/05/2009 12:17
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I didn't understand that part either. I think this story is leaving out some important details. It really doesn't make any sense.

- Aaron, Elllington, ct, 02/05/2009 11:22
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Joseph, many places in the world don't consider birth a medical emergency like we do in the USA. A midwife comes to the mother's home to deliver the baby if the pregnancy has been normal & healthy. Hospitals are reserved for high-risk pregnancies. If you read a bit further, the articles says, "when I rang the midwife to come out she said they were busy at the hospital."

It sounds like this was a healthy pregnancy and there was no reason to go dashing off to the hospital. Women all over the world plan & actually do have babies at home with the assistance of a midwife every day. This time, the midwives were busy so hubby got to catch the baby.

- M. Harrison, Virginia, USA, 02/05/2009 11:17
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LOL, Great point Joseph. Its all rather lubberly and un-navy like and yet the husband's a Royal Navy officer! As Captain Aubrey would say-- Bear a hand man, there's not a moment to lose.

- Callahan, Atlanta, USA, 02/05/2009 11:04
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Perhaps someday Westerners will start treating babies like humans and not diseases that require hospitalization.

- Andrew, Branson, USA, 02/05/2009 10:37
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Joseph Sten, Texas, USA - It says he rang the hospital and was told that all the midwives were busy. This is the UK of 2009 - women have given birth in hospital car parks and toilets (bathrooms) because no midwife was available. Some have died because of it. His wife and baby were much safer at home with an engineer who knew that 'reading the manual' is always a good idea.

My congratulations to the whole family.

- Baz, London, UK, 02/05/2009 09:39
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Haven't you heard? Hospitals in a nationalized healthcare system require you to wait weeks or even years to get the care you need. We should get used to this because it is coming in the US. Perhaps YouTube could employ some of the gifted doctors who will be moving on to more lucrative jobs to make a few videos before they leave...such a shame.

- Chris, California, 02/05/2009 08:09
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This is the UK, where they supposedly have 'free' health care, but can't ever seem to deliver. No pun intended.

- Mickey, Washington, USA, 02/05/2009 08:02
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Joseph, that is NHS healthcare. You will see the same stories on your side of the Atlantic soon.

- Peter Conway, Falmouth, UK, 02/05/2009 07:21
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No kidding. He didn't have time to panic in the 4 hours between she complained of pain and when she finally came to him on all fours? What a louse of a husband. If anything it sounds like he was too cheap to pay for a hospital to deliver the baby safely and decided to wing it at home.

- John, Texas, USA, 02/05/2009 07:01
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Joseph you obviously have never had children. Fast delivery or not just because a mother is having pains is not a reason to RUSH to the hospital. They ususally tell you to wait until the contractions are closer together. And this was 3 weeks premature so they probably thought it was braxton hicks (false labor).

- Jim S, Clovis, CA, 02/05/2009 06:48
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Hey Joe,

My wife woke with pain and to me it was obvious she was in labor, but she did not see it that way. First she wanted to iron some pants. I'm not kidding. I made myself some coffee and put pre-packed bags into the car, then sat down to read news on the net and wait until she decided it was time to go. Several hours later we went to the hospital, almost didn't make it in time. As I understand it, this is typical behavior. My mother did the same thing I was to later discover.

- Doc Logic, Memphis, Tn. U.S.A., 02/05/2009 06:00
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With our first child my Wife went to the hospital (I drove her) and we stayed there over 24 ours before the baby was delivered. With our second child she was determined NOT to go too early! She lay on the couch all night in labor more comfortable than if she had been at the hospital When SHE DECIDED to go I drove her again. Then she had a terrible contraction on the way and I asked her "whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy did you do this to me???". She just laughed at me,when the contraction aubsided. We checked in at the hospital and it was still several hours before our daughter was born. Please don't give Marc a hard time. The ladies call the shots!!! Just be glad it had a happy ending!! I've been there! Birth is natural. I had rather a lady be with her doc but if no complications then birth just happens!! I'm glad I did not have to deliver!! I bet I could have though and this was BEFORE youtube existed!

- Curtis Norris, Trussville Alabama, 02/05/2009 05:48
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Coming to a home near you!! Get ready for "Obama care". This is what socialized health care looks like..

- Tim, lake forest,US, 02/05/2009 05:01
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Joseph, its makes a good story mate, dont start in with the facts

- Micweeks, River John, Nova Scotia, 02/05/2009 03:43
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Joseph in Texas...my guess is that medical procedures like delivering babies are different in the UK and the US. You see he called the Midwife first...I dunno, I wouldn't be so critical if I was you especially about what goes on in another country. I think Mr. Stephens did brilliantly, especially in rounding up the entire family to accompany mommy and their new baby brother to the hospital. Sounds like he knew what he was doing. Congratulations to all.

- Jean, Albuquerque,NM, 02/05/2009 03:30
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It takes all kinds to make the world go round...Maybe they were waiting for Obama to pass his healthcare reform!

- Nimby5956, Albany, NY, 02/05/2009 03:22
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It is obvious you still had a few newcastle to consume before you got yourself ready... perhaps you should have looked up "how to birth a child from a woman on all fours when the head is already showing while you have an extreme hangover..."

- Dick Lastings, lastings england, 02/05/2009 02:58
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You rang the Midwife and she was to busy? Classic case of Barry's socialized medicine to me. In the free market it would have been no problem.

- Chuck Shire, Akron Ohio USA, 02/05/2009 02:54
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Oh pish, nurses are always complaining people come in to early. Often times people come in with only a few cm showing to be sent back home.

Plus they were waiting for the midwife - hospital wasn't a factor.

- Andrew, Fullerton, CA, 02/05/2009 01:49
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Joseph,

Of course he wasnt taking her to the hospital they were planning for the midwife to come to the house which is quite common there, but he did the wise thing of making sure he knew what to do in case the midwife didnt arrive in time knowing that his wife had a history of fast labors.

Just because she started labor doesnt mean the baby will come right away, it could take 36 hours or in this case 4...the average labor is about 8 hours for sequential births. I am a birth doula and have had 2 homebirths myself and another one is due in 9 weeks in which I will also have a midwife.

He did the right thing. How many births have you been to?

- Elizabeth Turner, Los Angeles, CA, 02/05/2009 01:42
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Not everyone needs to be in a hospital for child birth. It sounds as the Stephens might have planned for a home birth with the help of a midwife. Congrats and god Bless to the Stephens Family

- Glenn, St Paul, MN, 02/05/2009 01:27
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Youtube will save the world one day. Everything is on youtube

- Berry Henson, Lockhart, USA, 02/05/2009 00:55
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@Joseph Sten, pain is different from full on labor.

- Me, Michigan, USA, 02/05/2009 00:09
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"History of fast births" and he doesn't have a plan in place with her obstetrician for what to do when labour starts? Doesn't already have an emergency homebirth plan?

This one was mismanaged. Congratulations that Mom and baby are fine and everyone is healthy.

- Jr, USA, 01/05/2009 23:53
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Yes, what the heck were you doing between 10:30pm and 2:30am???????

Seems pretty fishy to me...

- Paul, Blaine MN, 01/05/2009 23:52
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I agree.. something isn't right here. She starting going into labor at 10:30... so instead of taking her to the hospital, he sat around the house for 4 hours looking at youtube videos to learn how to deliver the baby on his own? "didnt have time to panic"? Just bizzare.

- Brandon, WA , USA, 01/05/2009 23:27
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ha, i delivered a baby without watching a youtube video cuz i had no time to! I was at my sisters house,and boom she said it was coming..i did it..u dont have to be too smart to deliver a baby, you just have to be calm and not tug on the baby's head, let it just come out as it wishes.

- Molly Newman, new york, 01/05/2009 23:17
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I have to agree with Joseph Sten's comment. I was thinking the exact same thing. What has the world come to. Yeah and he had time to search and watch videos on Youtube. Haaaa this is a stupid story.

- Justin Job, San Diego, USA, 01/05/2009 23:13
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John, please. They were supposed to have a midwife come to the house. Why would they panic and rush off to the hospital in such a situation? Even women who deliver quickly don't do it instantly. You time the contractions and call for help when you need it. Having a baby isn't the same as having heart attack.

- Pookybear, Bountiful, UT, USA, 01/05/2009 23:10
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And he also had 9 months to be more prepared than that for a possible home-birth. He knew his wife had a history of this, and didn't do any research until the last minute? Anyway, congratulations on the healthy baby.

- Jgh, Illinois, USA, 01/05/2009 22:59
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And yet they didn't name her after youtube? They should have, maybe Google would pay for her college.

YouTube Stephens

- Mark Matthieu, san fran, 01/05/2009 22:48
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I say good for you! Home births, even unassisted home births are wonderful (and safe for normal low risk pregnancies as indicated by this article). I am glad to hear you had such a beautiful and uneventful birth. Congratulations! :o)

- Mammakoz, Alberta, Canada, 01/05/2009 22:47
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Yep, my thoughts exactly. "Oh it's probably nothing honey, just go back to bed."

- Jhi, chicago, 01/05/2009 22:29
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Jospeh from Texas, please don't make more British citizens hateful of the USA for showing your ignorance. Do you understand the role of the midwife in the UK? I guess not, otherwise you wouldn't have commented as you have.

10:30 she complained of some pain. At 2:30, she was ready to deliver but the midwife was not available. Home delivery is a safe option for many births and it is obvious that is what Mr. Stephens chose to do. Of course, with that option comes some potential problems... the midwife not being available being one of them.

He then had to deliver the child on his own.

The intent was obviously to deliver the child at home all along. In the UK the midwife is the lead healthcare practioner for child delivery, not a $$$ doctor $$$ as in the USA.

- Bill Jenks, Chicago, USA, 01/05/2009 22:29
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Another success story for the NHS.

- Sansbury, Boston, MA, 01/05/2009 22:11
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He 'didn't have time' as he was at the mercy of a government run health care system. This is what the Obama-Idiots voted for, and God only knows if they'll get it. Cut the guy some slack and start taking notes - you may need them if Obama gets his way! Socialized Medicine, at your service.

- Teapartiesrock!, Texas, USA, 01/05/2009 21:40
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Why didn't he just take her to the hospital at 10:30? If she has a history of fast births, one would think they'd be better prepared.

- Katherine, Fairfax, VA, 01/05/2009 21:30
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What for he had You Tube, you big dummy!

- Roberts Jarr, Chandler, USA, 01/05/2009 21:09
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Joseph, a contraction does not necessarily lead to birth, a woman has to wait till they are regular and 5 minutes apart before going to the hospital. Sounds like he did the right thing.

- Sharon, Colorado, UAS, 01/05/2009 21:08
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yeah really. That is ridiculous!

- Yeah, Pennsylvania, 01/05/2009 21:01
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You "didn't even have time to panic" - - at 10:30 pm

She woke you up at 2:30 am in labor.

Sounds like you had four hours to take a nap, but you couldn't get her to the hospital???

- Joseph Sten, Texas, USA, 01/05/2009 19:43
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