Michelle Jonsson lives in Vilhelmina and is expecting her third child. She is due to give birth on June 21. Lycksele BB would be open until July 1st and thus Michelle felt safe in giving birth there, as P4 Västerbotten was the first to tell.
But on Friday, the news came that Lycksele BB will close early – as early as tomorrow, Monday. Instead of a journey of 11 miles, she now has to travel 24 miles to Umeå.
Maternity care in Västerbotten
Lycksele BB is forced to close – two weeks earlier than planned
Over 40 children have been born since the reopening of BB in Lycksele – mother Lisa: “Glad I was able to give birth here”
– I thought I would make it, but now all hope is gone. I try to find a calmness in it and that it will go well anyway, says Michelle.
Don’t want to give birth to an unknown taxi driver
Michelle has no opportunity to go to Umeå in advance, as she is now at home with the other children. The partner works 1.5 hours from home.
– I will wait for the contractions, but I hope we can go as soon as I start to feel something.
But then you have to wait 1.5 hours for your partner too if he is at work?
– Yes. You are granted sick leave, but it doesn’t feel great to give birth in the car with an unknown taxi driver.
Setting up for childbirth in the car
She has made up her mind that the birth may very well take place in the car.
– I made it to Lycksele with the other children, but now it’s 24 miles to travel instead. I am mostly afraid that there will be complications, that the child will get stuck or something like that. But I have to try to think that it will go well. If I panic, it will certainly not be good, says Michelle Jonsson.
She is critical of the fact that the inhabitants of the interior have worse healthcare opportunities than the coastal inhabitants.
– We must have the right to the same care, why should Umeå be given more priority? Lycksele BB has also invested money in renovating and now they will close. It’s really weird.