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Giving birth is about creating life and giving it a chance at survival. When we think of childbirth, we think of a time to celebrate. But that is not always the case!
Sometimes things can go horribly wrong. And when they do, the act of giving birth can take an ugly turn.
Here are ten stories that are sure to blow your mind!
1. Birth By Lightening
Most women want to be safe in the hospital when they give birth. Even when they decide to go for a home birth, they want a trusted midwife by their side. Albuquerque resident Kendra Villanueva had the same plans. But nature had something else in store! The expectant mother and her boyfriend were busy celebrating Fourth of July in 2013. Her child was not due for another few weeks. Suddenly, the weather turned bad. As the couple tried to make their way to safety, a tendril of lightning hit them both while they were passing under a tree. Jolted unconsciousness, the couple was rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed an emergency C-section to save the baby. Fortunately, the lightning kissed baby survived!
2. Surviving A Tornado
Mother nature shows who is in charge with this next story! Shayla Taylor was in the hospital, hoping to go through an easy birth. But that was not to be. A tornado, with winds speed of about 300 kilometers per hour, hit Taylor’s town. But the doctors and nurses were committed to helping this child take birth. The laboring mother was rushed to a windowless room while her husband and four-year-old son took shelter in the lower floors. As the storm tore through the room, the medics covered the mother with sheets and their bodies. Thankfully, Shayla gave birth to a healthy baby boy via C-section.
3. Trial By Fire
Amber Pangborn was returning from time out with friends in June 2015 when she started on her life’s greatest adventure! She was nine months pregnant, and while driving back home, she went into labor. She decided to take the shortcut home through the forest. But as fate would have it, she got lost and ran out of gas. With no other option available, Amber gave birth in the backseat of her car. Tired and hungry, she took refuge in meth, beer, and some apples to survive. She held on for three days in the wilderness. Finally, out of desperation, she started a fire to signal for help. The fire expanded rapidly and engulfed an acre or more of the forest. But that did the job as mother and daughter duo was finally rescued by the US Forest Service.
4. Flooded But Not Giving Up!
In 1995, New Orleans was flooded, and the destruction was beyond words. Maria Tanzini was preparing to give birth. So Maria and her husband packed their bags and headed for the hospital as her contractions began. But reaching the hospital was no easy task. The floodwaters soon made any further journey impossible as their van stalled. But they had no other option, so they started to walk to the hospital in the waist high water. Soon, a bar owner saw their plight and offered to give them a ride in his sturdier vehicle. As they made their way ahead, the water level moved even higher. Fortunately, an ambulance soon made its way to the couple, and little Brittani Tanzini was born to tell a story of perseverance.
5. Let The Earth Move
The recent earthquake in Nepal left thousands dead and injured. It was a scene of devastation and death. But life can make its presence felt even in the harshest of environs. And life chose 28-year old Dolma Tamang. Her house collapsed under the strong tremors, and she was trapped under piles of rubble. But she not just survived but managed to claw her way out. Unfortunately, this pregnant lady had no idea if her baby had made it. The health clinic in her village lay under debris. And the nearest hospital was three hours walk away. Reaching that hospital amidst the ruins was a task this exhausted mother just couldn’t accomplish. Dolma spent two weeks amidst the ruins of her village before a Japanese mobile clinic found her. And the ordeal ended with the birth of her healthy baby boy.
When it comes to beating the odds, mothers always triumph. The mamma bear instinct, which stays hidden in all women, rushes to the surface when it comes to saving their babies. So, say your prayers of thanks because of the safe way you were able to give birth. And if you are waiting to have your baby, pray for an adventure free delivery!
