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CHICAGO (WLS) — On Thursday, discussions took place between an Indiana hospital and a pregnant woman who was turned away just before giving birth.
Mercedes Wells experienced the birth of her daughter in her car after being informed she wasn’t sufficiently progressed in labor to be admitted.
Currently, the family is engaging in conversations with hospital officials to determine the next steps. ABC7 Chicago spoke to the baby’s father on Thursday evening.
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The Wells family remains optimistic about the discussions. However, their Chicago-based attorney noted a “disconnect between what transpired and what needs to be done.”
Leon and Mercedes Wells are committed to initiating changes at Franciscan Health in Crown Point, where they claim Mercedes was discharged while actively in labor.
Minutes later, Leon delivered their daughter Alena on the side of the road.
“I put my fingers around my baby’s head, and as my wife pushed, I pulled,” Leon said. “This is while I still in driver’s seat.”
READ ALSO | Mom seeks action after being discharged from hospital, giving birth in car: ‘Stripped of my dignity’
The couple and their attorney had their first meeting with Franciscan Health hospital administrators on Thursday.
“My wife wasn’t heard when this first situation happened, and I’m not too sure she’s heard now,” Leon said.
Franciscan Health Crown Point say they’ve since fired the physician and nurse directly involved with Mercedes’ care and made changes, including mandated cultural competency training for labor and delivery staff.
President and CEO Raymond Grady said in a statement, in part, “After spending time with the Wells family, I am even more confident that we share the same goals, to ensure every patient is heard and receives compassionate, equitable care.”
However, the family’s attorney, Cannon Lambert Sr., says more needs to be done, including adding implicit bias training and firing the two nurses seen here wheeling Mercedes after the couple says she pleaded for them to admit her.
“When you see something, you should say something, They didn’t.” Lambert Sr. said.
The family’s attorney says the couple has not filed a lawsuit against the hospital, but depending on how the talks continue, that is an option. Their bottom line is to make sure no mother has to endure what Mercedes did.
“For them to see this and not say anything about it. It’s really hurtful,” Leon said.
