A woman who was heavily pregnant and in labor was turned away from a hospital and has now shared an emotional update on her situation.
Mercedes Wells’ story gained widespread attention after she had to give birth to her daughter, Alena Ariel, on the roadside. This occurred after being refused admission by Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital in Indiana, just moments before her delivery on November 16. Her husband, Leon, assisted in delivering the baby.
Despite enduring a long and painful wait at the hospital, where her contractions were 15 minutes apart, a nurse determined that Mercedes was only 3cm dilated and sent her home on ‘doctor’s orders,’ even though she had not been examined by a doctor.
The nurse and doctor who turned Mercedes away just minutes before her delivery have reportedly been dismissed from their positions.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of inadequate healthcare treatment for Black women compared to their white counterparts.
Research indicates that Black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, emphasizing racial disparities in healthcare.
In a more distressing update, it has been revealed that Mercedes is now facing post-natal health complications following her delivery.
The mother of four has returned to the hospital for what her brother-in-law, Lance Thompson Jr., describes as post-birth health issues.
Lance stated that Wells is receiving care at Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana, due to the traumatic experience she endured while delivering Alena.
Leon explained that his wife suffered severe pain and hemorrhaging on Sunday, November 23, which led to her hospitalization at University of Chicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois.
She was later transferred to Community Hospital because staff at the initial hospital recognized Mercedes, according to Lance. It is expected that she will remain in the hospital for at least a few days.
Leon commented: “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 revealed plans to introduce new legislation with Mercedes, called The Women Expansion for Learning and Labor Safety Act (WELLS). The legislation aims to ‘urge hospitals and birthing centers to develop and implement a safe discharge plan’ for pregnant women.
Kelly explained that the goal is ‘to ensure no other mother goes through the same pain’ that Mercedes endured during the birth of her daughter.
In a statement obtained by People, Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady remarked: “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.”