May 11, 2011 – UPDATE! Sarah’s back is doing much better! Through hollistic methods she is pain-free once again! Also, she is now 26 weeks along and had her first appointment with her midwife. She and the baby are both looking great! The little peanut is right on track which is excellent news! However, she still needs your support and donations! Please give whatever you can!
April 26, 2011 – Readers! My dear Twitter friend Sarah (@MrsFreestyle) is 23 weeks pregnant with a baby and due to a recent job relocation and this bullshit economy her family cannot afford the prenatal care that she needs. She is also suffering from what is most likely a pinched sciatic nerve that is causing her to black out and fall which we all know is not safe for the mom or her baby. Because of her lack of funds and no insurance she has not been able to see an obstetrician or nurse.
While women have been having babies unassisted for centuries we all know that it is important for the health of the mother to have periodic checkups. Also, her back problems will only get worse and at this point it is crucial that she receive medical care.
The cheapest option for Sarah would be to have a midwife-assisted home birth which she has been given a price of $3,300. A hospital birth plus pre- and post-natal checkups would cost around $7,000 in the state where she lives.
I have set up a collection on her family’s behalf and would like you to search your heart (and wallet) and donate whatever you can. We all know that life is precious so let’s help our friend not only get relief for her back but also to have a safe birth.
I am speechless and honored that you would do something like this for me, Lauren. It speaks volumes of your heart & character. I feel truly blessed even knowing I’m supported by a friend, whether or not any donations are made. Thank you for reaching out on my behalf and for being do generous, love love love you!
I love you more! You have a good heart and I’m going to punch you in the vagina for making me cry at work.
That made me laugh. Wait until after the baby comes out before you punch her. You don’t want to inflict any pain on the child.
Donated and tweeted from @thegoodbloggess. Hopefully someone out there will be able to give her some good advice on how to get help. No one should be without prenatal care. You might ask her to check out planned parenthood. They often have some good, low-cost doctors and doulas who can help with check-ups at least.
There is a great community on facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Igavebirthathome I will post this there. Thing is… a pinched sciatic nerve should not cause her to loose consciousness.
I was able to find this: http://www.valleyhospital.net/Hospital-Services/Maternity-Services/Babies-Are-Beautiful
Calling 1-800-311-BABY from anywhere in the US will connect someone to information about local services http://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/womeninfants/prenatal.htm
Thank you for posting this! I will forward this information to her. She has worked out the issue with her back and feels a million times better.
I will donate what I can (don’t have much), but I think that money is the last excuse to use if you want a homebirth. See even you are proving where there is a will, there is a way. Hope every little bit helps. Also, have her go see a chiro. Lots of them aren’t very expensive (infact some are cheap)!! Wishing you all the best of luck!!
I just made a donation on behalf of my company, Evymama Nursing & Maternity. I wish this mama a happy birth and good health, successful breastfeeding, a beautiful healthy baby and lots of love in her life.
Sarah Kaplan
President, Evymama
Toronto, Ontario
All I can do is offer assistance. Many communities have free clinics. Every community has WIC & Medicaid which will provide *some* healthy food for Mom & medical care for mom & baby once it’s born. Tell your friend to call the Department of Health & Human Services & they will help her. They will do whatever they can to make sure she is not going without prenatal care. Many OB’s/Midwifes will offer discounted rates if you offer to pay cash & many will offer payment plans as well (same with pediatricians). I hope everything turns out well.
PS A siatic nerve should not be causing black-out symptoms. And the back/hip pain is likely SI joint pain more than siatic nerve pain. It’s best treatment is physical therapy/stretching exercises which can be Googled if necessary.