Typhoon Odette brought destruction in many parts of Visayas and Mindanao, but for one woman, the storm marked a significant event in her life— being a mom.
Just as the most powerful storm to hit the country this year approached the eastern Visayas last December 17, 2021, one mom in Catbalogan City went into labor in their home. Amid whipping winds, pouring rain, and a power supply interruption, she saw hope and brighter days ahead.
It was a storm she will always remember, as she decided to name her baby girl after the typhoon and call her 'Baby Jodette.'
Baby born during Typhoon Odette's onslaught
The mom's story was posted on the official Facebook page of Catbalogan City Fire Station Western Samar, which was the first to receive the call for help for the mother and her newborn child.
"On 2:34 in the Morning, December 17, 2021, during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, Catbalogan City Fire Station duty personnel received an emergency call from the Incident Command Post (ICP) concerning a woman who gave birth in Purok 8, Barangay 13, Catbalogan City," the post read.
After receiving the emergency call, the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Team was deployed and rushed to the mother's place during the height of the storm. The 31-year-old mom already gave birth to baby Jodette when the medical crew arrived but the placenta has yet to be delivered from her body.
Knowing well enough that a retained placenta can cause severe infection or worse, life-threatening condition, the team acted quickly to deliver the placenta and transfer the mom and her baby to the hospital.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW"The placenta still remained inside her body. Vital signs were taken and recorded and delivered the placenta aseptically. Postpartum and newborn care was performed and immediately transported to Samar Provincial Hospital for further management and evaluation."
The firefighter team, meanwhile confirmed that baby Jodette was healthy and had an APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) score of 9. Having an APGAR score of 7 above is a sign of good health among newborns. In the post, they observed baby Jodette "with good cry" and "with good sucking reflex." (Click here for more information on APGAR you should know)
Is it true that many women go into labor during storms?
Did you know, there's actually a study that tried to prove an old wives tale that more babies are born during typhoons?
In 2006, a research found that "spontaneous delivery is related to barometric pressure." It suggests that barometric or atmospheric pressure not only affects tide conditions but also our bodies since the human body is made up of up to 65 percent water.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowDuring rains or storms, the pressure drops, this is believed to increase the possibility of amniotic fluid, the liquid surrounding baby during pregnancy, bursting.
"There was a significant increase in the number of deliveries and rupture of the membranes at low barometric pressure,” the study stated.
Did you or do you know someone who gave birth at the height of a typhoon? Share your story in the comment section.
Source: Mamamia
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