In just two months, Treva Goerke’s family of six is set to grow to seven.
Goerke said doctors expect the fifth baby will be born prematurely — her daughter was born at 34 weeks gestation a few years ago — and she’s battling a number of complications.
“I have heart problems, I’ve just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and I have a condition called bilobal placenta which can lead to a number of risks including placental abruption and bleeding,” Goerke said.
Adding to her anxiety, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne announced to patients and staff last week that it would cease labor and delivery services at the end of next month.
The Texas Department of Health said in a statement that the decision came after careful consideration.
“We notified employees last week and will be working with them to find other employment within Texas Health. We will also be reaching out to expectant mothers who are planning to give birth at Texas Health Cleburne to provide them with extra support.”
Texas Health Women’s Care in Cleburne will remain open and continue to offer gynecological surgery options, and obstetrics services will be available at nearby facilities including Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth and Texas Health Hagley Hospital Fort Worth South.
“Although the low number of births has led to this decision, our hospital will continue to provide gynaecological care and surgery.”
Following the announcement, a petition was started calling on the hospital to reconsider the decision, arguing that it would prevent women, especially those living in rural areas, from easily accessing basic medical care.
As of Friday, it had more than 1,400 signatures.
“I was probably one of the first people to sign,” Cassidy VanZant said.
It’s been three years since VanZant welcomed her first daughter, LeiLei, into her family just minutes after her doctor’s appointment.
“I felt my water break. I really thought it was my water breaking,” she said.
VanZant said it took him seven minutes to rush back to Texas Health Cleburne Hospital.
“They met me outside and a nurse took me upstairs in a wheelchair. We went to the delivery room and RayRay was here within 20 minutes. I called my husband around 2:20 and I think she was here at 2:37,” VanZant said.
At that point, Lei Lei’s heart rate was below 60. She was stabilized and quickly transported to Cook Children’s Hospital.
Van Zandt only found out later that she had experienced a placental abruption, and she worries that if it had taken longer to get to the hospital, neither of them would be here today.
“My past experiences have made me question whether I want to have another child,” she says.
Gerke said she has four children at home and would have to drive herself to the hospital to give birth, and she worries about how long the birth will take from her rural home.
“It’s pretty scary having to drive 40 to 45 minutes to the nearest hospital when there could be serious complications or it could just be the pain of labour,” she said.
The Texas Department of Health announced on August 30 that it would suspend birthing services.
Texas Health Women’s Care will remain open in Cleburne and continue to provide gynecological care.
