May 15, 2004
Alexandra Active, above; and
Lorraine Tomaganuk-Moses
delivered a baby at Hooper Bay
Clinic last month.
YKHC Public Relations
Around 6:30 p.m., April 13, a pre-term pregnant patient arrived at the Hooper Bay clinic, complaining of pain. On duty were Lorraine Tomaganuk-Moses and Alexandra Active, a floating health aide from Kipnuk.
Doctors that were consulted by phone in Bethel thought the pregnant woman was experiencing a urinary tract infection, but Active, a three-year health aide, wasn't quite so sure and was concerned. Soon they noticed signs of labor and got on the phone to continue consulting with doctors.
Since it was evening and scheduled mail and passenger plane had done their runs for the day, a medevac plane was dispatched to help with the delivery. But due to fog and a low ceiling the medevac plane could not land and headed back to Bethel.
Active said she was on the phone when, at about 9:30 p.m., Tomaganuk–Moses informed her that the baby was birthing. "I hung up the phone right away and put my gloves on," she said. "By the time I got to the mother, the baby's head had already emerged."
Active then supported the baby while the mother pushed, and the small baby arrived quickly. After cleaning the baby, they placed the newborn on the mother's belly, to help the mother complete her delivery. A baby's weight helps push the afterbirth and contract the uterus.
Fortunately, the health aides were not alone. A physician was present at the clinic, but one who was engaged in research. Dr. Cynthia Schraer, from the Alaska Native Medical Center, allowed the health aides on duty to perform the delivery.
"I have not done deliveries for 20 years, but am well aware of the potential complications and problems with deliveries, especially those that are pre-term," said Schraer. "These Health Aides thought of and did everything that is important in such circumstances."
While it was Active's first delivery, it was Tomaganuk-Moses third. But this one was different for Tomaganuk-Moses because plenty of health aides were available in the previous births, and she and Active were alone in this one.
But the two health aides were calm and considerate of the mother and family, Schraer said, and were extremely competent in caring for the mother and her baby, both of whom are doing well today.
Tomaganuk-Moses, a health aide since January of 2003, recalls that she was on "high-alert" after the baby was born, but began to relax as it became evident the mother and baby were going to be all right.
The health aides then stayed with the mother and baby throughout the night. The following morning, other health aides took over, including the handling of transportation for the follow-up care needed for the mother and baby in Bethel.
The professionalism and action by the Health Aides impressed Schraer so profoundly that she wrote YKHC a letter of commendation. "I want to be sure that credit for the good outcome goes to the Health Aides," wrote Schraer. "My role was mainly one of 'moral support' for the team, but the Health Aides were totally capable on their own."
Tomaganuk-Moses received a copy of the commendation not very long ago. "It's nice and it encourages me to keep doing the best I can," she said. "But I'm just glad the delivery went okay."
Active, who completed LPN school in December, received a copy of the commendation this week while training in Bethel. "It's so cool," she said, smiling. "The delivery went so fast that I had no time to be afraid. But it did get me to thinking about going back to school to learn family medicine."
The last sentence of Schraer's letter underlined the important role health aides play in the health of village residents. "We are indeed fortunate to have such fine colleagues," she said.