LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Six months ago, an idea was born to help deployed fathers watch their child's birth live, despite the distance. Darren Spencer, 633d Medical Group deputy chief information officer, suggested using the internet program, Skype.
Langley Hospital's labor and delivery unit has a free Skype account, and equipment supplied by 633 MDG systems, which may be requested for use by expectant mothers with deployed spouses. To date, seven couples have used Skype, Spencer said.
"Skype allows the father to experience their child's birth as it happens," said Capt. Katherine Jordan, 633d MDG Maternal Child Flight element leader. "It's the next best thing to having the father physically present."
Master Sgt. Camille Blackmon, 633d Air Base Wing histology technician, and her husband, Capt. Loyd McDonald, 83rd Intelligence Squadron, recently used the Skype program to experience the birth of their first child together thousands of miles apart.
"It was great to see my husband and hear his voice," Blackmon said. "He was on the sidelines, coaching me. He's been deployed since October 2009."
During labor, Blackmon's good friend, retired Air Force Master Sgt. Heidi Wootres, stayed with her for support and witnessed the couple communicating with Skype.
"It lifted Camille's confidence," Wootres said. "It was touching to hear Camille's husband tell her he's there for her, and reassure her everything was going to be fine."
Jordan recommends expectant mothers request the Skype option well in advance to their medical provider, since there is only enough equipment for one patient to use at a time. The father must have internet access and permission from his deployed command to participate.
Fathers may view natural births and cesarean sections; however the camera is turned away during medical procedures, nudity, if the mother is sick or if an emergency occurs, said Jordan.
"We keep in mind respect and decency for the mother," Jordan said.
Providing the Skype option for patients is not an official duty, but Spencer said he is glad to provide this service.
"It's a big group effort to make it happen," Spencer said. "With the Skype option, Airmen overseas can witness an important event in their lives. It boosts their morale, and makes it well worth the effort."