Bring a torchl, pregnent women told (UK)

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Thursday, 23 December, 1999, 20:40 GMT Bring a torch, pregnant women told

Torches might be needed at maternity units

Women due to give birth during the millennium celebrations have been told to bring a torch to hospital with them.

Two units, the Leicester General Hospital and St Mary's Hospital Maternity Unit at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, have issued the advice as a precautionary measure.

Hospital authorities are concerned that if their is a power failure sparked by the millennium computer bug then the women will not be able to find their way around the buildings.

Letters have been sent to those due to have their baby delivered at the two hospitals.

The letter said: "It may be useful to bring with you a small torch in case only emergency lighting is in operation."

The letter, which went to all women booked in to either hospital between December 29 and January 3, also gives a number of other tips.

They include ensuring they have "a car with petrol and a sober driver" and, along with usual baby equipment, "a flask and sandwiches for your partner".

Hospital bosses say the advice was designed only as a safeguard.

David Yeomanson, general manager of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Leicester General Hospital NHS Trust which includes the two maternity departments, said: "We have our on-site generators to provide power throughout the hospital should we experience a loss of power due to external factors.

"The generators provide power for essential lighting and medical equipment.

"The suggestion that all women may find it useful to bring with them a small torch is for personal use only."

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), December 23, 1999

Answers

Having a baby is stressful enough without having to worry about supplying one's own light source. Hopefully the mom's will bring plenty of batteries for their flashlights. The Energizer bunny will possibly be working overtime after the clock strikes midnight on 12/31/99.

Luckily for me the lights were on that December 31st many years ago when our son was born. He came a week early, but that was alright; we got to count him as a dependent on our taxes for the entire year!

Wishing those new moms all the best as they bring their little ones into the new millennium...

-- Lurkess (Lurkess@Lurking.Net), December 23, 1999.


: He came a week early, but that was alright; we got to count him as a dependent on our taxes for the entire year!

---

I heard so many people say this....but so what? You loose him as a dependent a year earlier then as well....

-- foo Bar (foo@bar.com), December 23, 1999.


Foo Bar --

At that time in our lives, the extra dollars really helped the family finances.

Perhaps to others it is of no consequence, but for us it was a double blessing.

-- Lurkess (Lurkess@Lurking.Net), December 23, 1999.


I hope that if they announced this on local radio stations someone had the forethought to play as an intro the carol "Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabella..."

-- Firemouse (firemouse@fcmail.com), December 24, 1999.

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