Governor's water breaks in Texas, gives birth in Alaska

Despite being very, very pregnant, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was in Grapevine Thursday for a forum held by the Republican Governor's Association.

We were kind of preoccupied by our own governor's announcement that he plans to run for re-election, so we missed the other big news of the conference.

From Alaskan NBC affiliate KTUU:

Just yesterday, Palin was in Texas at a forum on energy with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and executives from four other states.

The governor's water broke during the energy conference but she stayed and gave a 30-minute speech before boarding an Alaska Airlines plane home to deliver the baby.

Palin gave birth to Trig Paxson Van Palin Friday at 6:30 a.m.

No word on why Palin was so determined to make sure young Trig wasn't born a Texan.

(Photo coutesy of www.ktuu.com)

-Aman Batheja

Comments

[KLH]

How do Texans feel about the fact that Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin was quoted as saying she would do whatever it took to prevent her child from being born on Texan soil?

[ears1foru]

Better to have never lived in a State that Rick Perry is Governor of.

[sgmorr]

I seriously question the governor's judgement for making the bizarre decision to fly back to Alaska after her membranes ruptured. She was asking for trouble, but fortunately made the trip safely. I hope she runs the statehouse better than she handles her own pregnancies.

[Mark G.]

Same to ya, Lady.

[Dale C]

It may have been risky, I don't have enough knowledge in that field, but most any governor would wish to have a child born in the state where they serve.

[Joy]

As a nurse who practiced for 40 yrs., I can inform you that when the amniotic sac breaks, it is extremely dangerous to travel because there is always the possibility of the umbilical cord dropping down into the birth canal. When that happens, the baby is deprived of oxygen during each contraction and will most likely be brain-damaged. No woman in her right mind would take such a chance.
You can easily 'stage' a pregnancy with some stuffing and 'stage' the water breaking with a little water(!). I would surmise that the chance of the baby being her daughter's is fairly good since Downes children are either born to older women or younger girls as a general rule.

[Evan]

If this is true, first, I don't understand how any airline would let a person in late term pregnancy get on board. When my wife was pregnant, she was told very clearly that she should not travel in her last trimester. Second, I don't understand how any rational person would board an eight hour flight from Dallas to Anchorage after their water broke. In the best interest of the child, once the water breaks, I always thought the mother should get to the hospital immediately, not give a speech and board an eight hour flight.

[Arthur Bert]

There are almost as many alledged "womenizing" stories about John McCain's political life, as there are about Bill Clinton's extra-marital and political lifes. Like JM'S extra Divorce Affairs and his extra political and personal contacts with a special K-Street Female? Can anyone phantom what type of additional comments would be illusioned, reflected about and reported upon now if Bill Clinton had selected Sarah Palin as his VP Mate? You get only one guess.... argb

[carla janson m.d.]

this was (supposedly) her 5th pregnancy. usually , the more children you have had, the more rapidly your labor progresses. it seems unlikely she would have held on that long with #5.... and why would she try. anyone with any sense once in labor proceeds to the nearest competant hospital.... period. the last thing a reasonable woman would wish for is to deliver in a car or plane. take your pick : either she exercised incredably poor judgement or it didn't happen as it has been reported. not good either way. this woman may be "leading us"??? please !!!

[signeora]

Does anyone know if there is any truth to the rumor that she never looked pregnant and that she was covering for her daughter who was the one actually pregnant? Word is she wasn't even showing at 8 months.

Wouldn't this make Palin the GRANDmother - not the mother?

Anyone know the real story here?

[Jo]

I worked for an OB/GYN for years and this story is very much unacceptable and hard to believe in. Who in her right mind, on her fifth child, will break her water and waited more than 20 hours to seek help from a doctor? She knows that her baby have down-syndrome, how can she possibly fly all the way to Alaska from Texas to deliver?? That is a very stupid decision. She should seek medical attention as soon as possible and NOT travel for another 20 hours or so in a commercial flight just to deliver the baby in her state. That story is UNACCEPTABLE!!!!

[SROM Mom]

Hopping on a plane while in labor is insanely reckless. Not to mention, I am sure the MDs in Texas are more highly qualified than those in AK - AK is where you go to practice when you can't get into a high-quality area.

What was she smoking?

[SROM Mom]

Hopping on a plane while in labor is insanely reckless. Not to mention, I am sure the MDs in Texas are more highly qualified than those in AK - AK is where you go to practice when you can't get into a high-quality area.

What was she smoking?

[John M]

Why don't we let Palin handle her pregnancy, and we'll handle our own business? Yeah, that sounds like a better idea.

[Mauri Pallaci]

According to the Mayo Clinic web site, all you alleged OB/GYN nurses are full of S#!t.

Cabins are pressurized and labor contractions can be controlled by an MD.

People, DO NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS or accept anything you read here on fox cnn or msnbc as the truth. Don't be lazy, learn the facts for yourself or you risk becomming ill informed.

[Verne]

I am wondering if anybody is checking into this story. When I was pregnant with my son. My water broke and I called my doctor and he urged me to get the emergency room and he would meet me there ASAP, because I could set up infection and have other complications. This story Sarah Palin is telling smells to high heaven.

[drowe]

To Mauri Pallaci:
Your comment inpired me to go to the Mayo Clinic web site myself. YOU ARE NOT BEING INTELLECTUALLY HONEST. The Mayo Clinic's advice about flying is ONLY referring to a healthy pregnant woman whose water has NOT broken.

Here, in fact, is what the Mayo Clinic states about a pregnant woman with ruptured membranes (water breaking):

"Rupture of membranes - Your Water Breaks:
The amniotic sac is a fluid-filled membrane that cushions your baby in the uterus. Sometimes the sac leaks or breaks before labor begins. If this happens, you may notice a trickle of fluid or a more obvious gush.

If your water breaks at home — or if you're uncertain whether the fluid is amniotic fluid, urine or something else — consult your health care provider right away. He or she will evaluate you and your baby to determine the next steps.

If the amniotic sac is no longer intact, timing becomes important. The longer the membranes are ruptured, the greater the risk of developing an infection. If labor doesn't begin on its own, your health care provider may need to induce your labor."

By the way, the Mayo Clinic also states that even healthy, pregnant women should "avoid flying after 36 weeks of pregnancy or if they're at risk of preterm delivery."

You decide for yourself if Ms. Palin made the most educated decision for her child. But as you can see, Mr. Pallaci, WE are not the lazy ones that are full of excrement -- you are.

[Paula]

Been reading the comments here with disbelief.
Contrary to what some will say, Alaska has extremely good medical facilities.
Mrs. Palin most certainly did look pregnant.
Also, she noticed a very small amount of fluid, and did not go into active labor for quite a few hours. HEr doctor left it to her whether or not to travel back to Anchorage.
And no, Trig is most certainly not her grandson.

[Debra J. Van Leeuwen]

Whatever. It is apparent that Palin suffers from what I call the "dance team syndrome" translated: I'll do whatever it takes to have my own danceteam!! Lie, cheat, steal, be selfish, who cares as long as I am the captain of the dance team!!!!

[David]

There seems to be sufficient material to create reasonable doubt regarding whether or not that baby is actually hers. The whole story could be put to rest once and for all if she had agreed to release her medical records which is a whole other story.

I think that one only need to look at how she and Todd interact with Trig to get a good idea whose baby that is.
She and Todd don't hold that baby as if he were theirs. They carry him around like a prop, like he were someone else's. They are detached, unengaged. They dont talk to him, dont even look at him. Have you seen the video from Halloween? "Mommy" was out meeting voters on their front porches. Trig didnt go dressed as a football but thats how he was being carried around. Like luggage. Baggage more like. She nearly dropped him at one point.

You know who DOES appear to be loving and nurturing that baby, and holding him like a mommy does? Bristol. Go back and review any video you can find and you will see what I mean. This story has been out since she was picked back in September and when I see video of them that is exactly what I've been looking for.

Not scientific by any means but gut instincts are worth something and that's what my gut is telling me. My little guy is 16 months old and it is clear as day to me.

[GGEASTEP]

First of all I traveled during all my pregancy up until delivery, I did have my water break like her and traveled home to give birth, I wanted my child to be born at home not in another state, and my doctor agreed so what most of you people here are saying because we choice to have a child at home and are not a spineless woman who wants drugs to kill the pain and be nursed and cuddled until delivery we are stupid, and carring the baby around I held my children the same way, and I loved every one of my 6 children, more than I can say for the women who abort theirs they don't care it's painful to be ripped, burned, and strangled. sick people I have read in hear.