A heavily pregnant woman who experienced a distressing ordeal when turned away from a hospital during labor has provided a sorrowful update on her situation.
Mercedes Wells’ story has gained widespread attention after she was forced to deliver her daughter, Alena Ariel, on the roadside. This occurred shortly after being denied care at the Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital in Indiana, just moments before giving birth on November 16. Her husband, Leon, played a crucial role in assisting with the delivery.
During an extended and painful wait at the hospital, with contractions occurring every 15 minutes, a nurse informed Mercedes that she was only 3cm dilated and sent her home under ‘doctor’s orders,’ despite not having been seen by a doctor.
Reports indicate that the nurse and doctor responsible for sending Mercedes away eight minutes before her delivery have been dismissed.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of unequal healthcare treatment experienced by Black women compared to their white counterparts.
Research indicates that Black women face a threefold increased risk of mortality during childbirth compared to white women, underscoring the racial disparities in maternal care.
In a further distressing update, it has come to light that Mercedes is now grappling with post-natal health complications following her delivery.
The mother of four has been readmitted to the hospital, with her brother-in-law, Lance Thompson Jr., describing her condition as a post-birth health concern.
According to Lance, Mercedes is receiving care at Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana, due to the trauma experienced during Alena’s birth.
Leon recounted that his wife endured severe pain and hemorrhaging on Sunday, November 23, prompting her admission to the University of Chicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois.
She was subsequently transferred to Community Hospital after staff at the initial hospital recognized her, as noted by Lance. It is anticipated that Mercedes will remain hospitalized for a few days at minimum.
Leon stated: “They said she’s going through trauma from the difficult delivery, and they gave her medicine.”
He continued: “But she’s breastfeeding and has to take smaller doses, so she can still breastfeed.”
On Tuesday, November 25, Illinois Representative Robin Kelly announced plans to introduce new legislation alongside Mercedes, titled The Women Expansion for Learning and Labor Safety Act (WELLS). The initiative aims to ‘encourage hospitals and birthing centers to create and adopt a safe discharge plan’ for expectant mothers.
Elaborating further, Kelly emphasized that the goal is ‘to ensure no other mother endures the same pain’ that Mercedes faced during the birth of her daughter.
In a statement acquired by People, Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady expressed: “The recent video shared on social media does not reflect the values of Franciscan Health Crown Point, which include respect for life and compassionate concern. “Respect for life can be compromised when a mother and baby are prematurely discharged.
“Compassionate concern is absent when a caregiver fails to listen to a patient who is clearly in pain and vulnerable. The video was difficult to watch.”