Kansas City Mom Faces 911 Challenges During Home Birth Emergency

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A local mother recently experienced a harrowing emergency while giving birth at home, revealing significant issues with the city’s emergency response system. The mother, Devin Brown, encountered serious complications that put both her life and her newborn’s at risk when she found herself unable to reach 911 for assistance.

Home Birth Turns Dangerous

During the home birth of her son, Wells, complications arose when the baby became stuck. Brown reported that her newborn was deprived of oxygen for more than six minutes, prompting desperate calls for help.

A Frantic Situation

Despite having a midwife present, the birth team struggled to connect with 911. Brown’s father, located in Overland Park, Kansas, eventually made the call for emergency assistance across state lines. After three unsuccessful attempts to contact 911 in Missouri, it was only through the Kansas dispatch that help was finally notified.

Critical Wait Time

Emergency responders took a significant 17 minutes to arrive, a delay that felt like an eternity to the worried family. “We felt desperate, like we were both going to die,” Brown shared, reflecting on the traumatic experience. During this agonizing wait, she was also hemorrhaging, losing over a liter of blood, while attempts to resuscitate her son were underway.

Aftermath and Ongoing Challenges

The family is now dealing with the aftermath at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, where Wells remains in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), battling the effects of the oxygen deprivation. Brown expressed heartache with each visit, stating, “Every time I have to leave him here, it’s like I’m ripping my heart out.” Despite these challenges, Wells is beginning to recover, weighing over ten pounds and soon expected to start oral feeding.

911 System Under Strain

This incident has brought to light ongoing concerns regarding emergency response times within the Kansas City area. Current data shows that the Kansas City Police Department is facing staffing shortages, with 25 out of 95 dispatcher positions vacant. The average wait time for 911 calls in August spanned from 51 seconds to some calls lasting as long as 13 minutes.

City Leadership Responds

Mayor Quinton Lucas has publicly addressed the need to improve the 911 system, labeling the current state as a “hold time crisis.” He highlighted the urgency in enhancing staffing and considering technological solutions to better manage emergency calls.

The Road Ahead

As the Browns continue to navigate this challenging time, they are focused on Wells’ recovery while raising awareness about the difficulties faced in emergency response. Brown’s story adds a personal touch to the larger calls for improvement in critical public services, as she grapples with the impact on her family’s future.