this woman’s work

Since there’s no proof that Bristol Palin had Trig and her mother covered up, I’m pretty focused on her mother’s incredibly poor decision to fly home while in labor and then drive another hour to get to the hospital. I think that’s a poor choice in a low-risk birth but she knew Trig had issues that might need immediate medical care. And whatever she says about knowing labor, the women I’ve met who’ve had a lot of kids have told me that every labor is different. Brett’s cousin (she of the seven — so far — babies) has had labors that took two days and labors that took two hours. Palin made a dumb decision. I’d say the same thing about any liberal politician foolish enough to do the same.

I’ll quote some of what Tanya – a practicing homebirth midwife here in Columbus who attended two of Kristen’s births and is a rational, thoughtful practitioner — has to say about it:

And while I’m talking about questioning judgement/decision-making ability, let’s talk about the fact that she chose to make a speech and then take the 8 hr. flight back to AK with her amniotic membranes ruptured and leaking fluid…at 8 months…with a baby with a known birth defect. Now, I’m not the alarmist that most OBs around here are about ruptured membranes and infection, mainly because my clients are at home where they’ve developed an immunity to the germs, they’ve been educated to avoid introducing anything into the birth canal and they’ve often chosen to supplement their diets with probiotics, garlic and Vitamin C. Most importantly, their babies are full-term. But I do think about Group B Strep, esp. when I see premature rupture of membranes. I also know that the Center for Disease Control recommends that the test for determining if a mom is colonized with GBS be performed from 35-37 weeks, which I believe is after the time the baby was born.

To me, that’s the most convincing part of the rumors (not the pictures, not even the mono) because that is so damn stupid and selfish that I just can’t believe it of anyone. And this is a pro-life candidate so I can’t get how she’d justify risking Trig’s life just so he could be born in Alaska. (Tanya’s conjectures about why she might have done this — click to her site to see — aren’t mine but I found them interesting.)

Like I said, that’s the most convincing part of it to me.

I also think it’s ridiculous to go back to work three days after the birth — work from home for cryin’ out loud if you have the hankering! I think the same thing of men who have the choice and don’t exercise it. I just don’t get not wanting to settle in and meet the new member of your family. Still, I wouldn’t base a vote on it — those politicians are pretty crazy workaholics. The getting on a plane to fly from Texas to Alaska while in labor with a baby who will be born with disabilities? Yeah, that’s some pretty poor judgment.

Edited to add: This link puts forth the rumor that Bristol is pregnant NOW. And those pics look more convincing. Man, remind me never to run for public office. Who’d want to do that to their kids???