Letter of the Day:- That final push... THE EDITOR, Sir: I HAVE listened with much interest to 'Mutty' re events regarding Labour of Love. Now I do not know the legality of the closure, but I do know that many of the mothers that have been going there, do so because of financial reasons; it is much cheaper than a private doctor. I also know that many of us females would not venture downtown to 'have' our babies, but should 'anything' happen, that is where we will be taken, like it or not. When a female conceives, unless she loses it (one way or the other) there is no turning back. On choosing a doctor, it's with the understanding that he has my interest 'at heart' and will do what is best for me and the baby. Expelling a baby is not an easy task. Should there be a breach, episiotomy or forceps required, I do not want to have to be transferred elsewhere, if I need Caesarean, then the operating room should be at least down the corridor as I do not wish to be on the road heading elsewhere because where I am is not capable of assisting me and the baby. That could be the deciding factor of the quality of my baby's life, should he live. I do not care about the fresh coat of paint on the building, the private room, the manicured garden when I'm being told "...one more push, good, just one more push!" (Trust me this can go on forever) then to hear "she needs help, we have to help her, get the forceps!" (been there, done that...). Now picture a whole uncut broiler chicken with the neck, liver etc. stuffed up it's cavity, and you have to take it out. You have to pull one leg right and the other left (preferably left leg, left etc.) pry open the cavity push your hand in and retrieve the package (get me? good!). Now on the delivery 'table' all that matters is my baby and I, and that who is presiding can function adequately should there be any complication. I don't care where I am, until I'm sure my baby is fine and so am I, then anything else can matter. Now because the island saw via video the noodles production in Mandeville we could appreciate Parish Council closing them down; but because we have not seen any video or dramatic verbal replay we cannot appreciate the Ministry of Health's actions re Labour of Love. Well whether we female want to admit it or not all pregnancies are 'at risk' and you will not admit it unless you have been in the position where you and your baby are about to die. So to the cynics unless you have a baby in you that will not birth easily (aka stuck) you will not see beyond your life; and to 'Mutty'... Should the statistics be allowed to rise at Labour of Love you will be the first to say the Government should have locked them down; so, "Shut up!", 'cause I bet the closest you have been to pushing is as a result of constipation. I am, etc., MARIE PRYCE Greater Portmore St. Catherine
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