Superstars and childbirth

"Can you believe Whitney Houston died?"  This has been the question of the past twenty-four hours that I've heard again and again on the radio, television, and in the grocery store checkout line.  And yes, unfortunately I CAN believe it, that she died an untimely and tragic death.  Such talent and beauty that went very, very wrong.  May she rest in peace and may her daughter find the support and love from her family and friends to carry her through.  Losing your mom at any age is tragic, but especially when you're a teen girl.  You really need your momma then...

Whitney had so many beautiful songs, it's hard to pick a favorite.  But I found the lyrics to the "Greatest Love of All" especially bittersweet... 



I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody's searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity

 Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me

The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all...

Children ARE our future, and universally, children need to have a sense of pride to make it easier.  Simple, yet beautifully put.   The infant mortality rate in Haiti is 74 deaths per 1,000 births.  The maternal mortality rate?  1,400 per 100,000.  In the United States, it's 6 deaths per 1,000 births.  The mommies?  24 per 100,000.  A big difference, huh?  The Haitian women in the photo are the LUCKY ones-  the ones who made it to a hospital or clinic to birth their child.  Can you just IMAGINE this scene as being THE BEST CARE? 

I am a labor and delivery nurse.  I think that the next time I have a patient that complains that she received one of our "smaller" postpartum rooms, and then DEMANDS to speak to a supervisor, I just may flash her this picture!

Deb