Doctors, corpsman bring new life to Iraq

[thedrifter]

Doctors, corpsman bring new life to Iraq
Submitted by: 15th MEU
Story Identification Number: 2003428265
Story by Staff Sgt. Robert Knoll



AN NASIRIYAH, Iraq(April 2, 2003) -- Only a few days after arriving into the area, doctors and corpsman of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) have brought new life to the people of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.


Shortly after sunrise, F Company Marines guarding the perimeter of the 15th MEU's area were approached by a displaced Iraqi family needing assistance. One of the family members, Jamila Katham, in her mid-20s, had been in labor for a long time and her baby was about to be delivered.


The Marines radioed from their post to their operations center and a military ambulance was sent to pick up the expecting mother. She was taken to the Battalion Aid Station where a translator assisted communications between the doctors and Katham.


"This is good stuff. We brought life into this world," said Lt. Brian Humble, a medical officer for the Battalion Landing Team 2/1 and one of the doctors who delivered the baby. Lt. Sean Stroup the 15th MEU Surgeon also assisted with the birth. This was not Stroup's first delivery, but his first outside of the United States.


Jamila gave birth to a healthy baby girl at 8 a.m. who she named Rogenia. The doctors estimated her weight at about 6 pounds. There were no complications with the delivery, however, the doctors were concerned because the mother was very petite, which can make childbirth difficult.


The baby was delivered only about 15 minutes after arriving at the 15th MEU's location so Humble and Stroup said that they were not sure how long the mother had been in labor.


Katham was accompanied by a group of family members including her great grandmother, Gammaraha, who helped communicate her great granddaughters condition to the doctors. She told the doctors that it was her first baby. The entire family was grateful for the 15th MEU's assistance, Stroup said.


After a short recovery period, Katham and her new baby girl were driven to the boundary of the MEU's area where the rest of her family was waiting. She was given enough food and water and bandages for a few days in addition to a warm blanket for the baby. The doctors said the baby was in very good condition and even began breast feeding before leaving the BAS.


Katham and her family are from An Nasiriyah, but they have been displaced because of the conflict in the region. They are currently living in a tent compound approximately 20 miles south of the city.





AN NASIRIYAH, Iraq -- Chief David Jones of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) holds the two-hour old newborn Rogenia Katham, daughter of Jamila Katham. She was born in the Battalion Landing Team 2/1's Battalion Aid Station after arriving at the 15th MEU's position here.
Photo by: SSgt. Robert Knoll



Caption:
AN NASIRIYAH, Iraq -- HMC Suzette Dugger, corpsman with the MEU Service Support Group 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), stands at the back of an M997 HMMWV Ambulance with an Iraqi family member of Jamila Katham. The ambulance transported Jamila and her newborn child to family members waiting outside of the 15th MEU's area.
Photo by: SSgt. Robert Knoll



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