On May 11, the Maine Sunday Telegram printed an editorial titled “Maine’s terrifying health care crisis requires bold action.” This editorial highlighted, among other shortcomings in Maine’s health care system, the rash of birthing unit closures across the state. This weighs heavy on my heart, knowing neither I nor my 1-year-old daughter would be alive if it weren’t for quick access to specialized maternity and neonatal treatment.

At 36 weeks pregnant, I woke up with agonizing chest pain. Hours later, I was receiving a blood platelet transfusion in preparation for an emergency C-section, having been diagnosed with both HELLP syndrome (a rare form of pre-eclampsia) and ITP of pregnancy (another rare pregnancy complication, leaving me with almost no blood platelets). These rare complications were identified only through the specialized expertise of the labor and delivery providers in the hospital.

If I had needed to travel hours farther to reach the nearest birthing unit, that day would have ended in our two deaths, instead of me holding my perfect 4-pound baby. The closure of birthing units across the state is only one way Mainers’ access to health care is crumbling.

I can’t say I know a perfect solution, but I’m heartened by the people and organizations taking action, like Maine AllCare, which has two bills currently in the state Legislature (LD 1883 and LD 1269) aimed at strengthening Maine’s health care system and increasing access. We can sit here lamenting, but as William Shakespeare said, “Action is eloquence.”

Chelsea Stephens
Portland