I just got nice news from Lancaster County–my harmonica-playing friend Abe is a father again. Looks like little Elam got a new brother last Friday. When I visited last month, I knew Sarah was pregnant, but I did not realize the baby would be due so soon.
When Amish have children, many opt to deliver in the hospital, especially if it’s a first child. Others prefer home-delivery, assisted by midwives. Advantages of home-delivery include a large savings in cost, and the ability to recover in less-traumatic home surroundings.
Dorcas Sharp Hoover’s book House Calls and Hitching Posts is a nice account of country doctor Elton Lehman’s career among the Amish of the Holmes/Wayne County, Ohio settlement. Over his 36 year-practice, Dr. Lehman delivered his fair share of babies in Amish homes.
And not only–Lehman recalls one memorable child who entered this world a bit ahead of schedule–in the back of a Jeep on the way to the hospital.
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2 responses to A new baby
That is wonderful news! The more the merrier!
I’ve read that book….I wonder whether there is a family doctor out there in Amish America who would be willing to take on a British Practice Nurse with a special interest in Rheumatology (and asthma!!) just for a month. I’d work for free……it would be interesting to see health care close up in the US (scary too) and particularly with a doctor who sees mostly Old Order Amish.
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