Nationwide — Kashena Manuel says her daughter, Kiara, faced dangerous delays at Dallas Regional Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, while in active labor. Videos she recorded show staff prioritizing paperwork over urgent care, leaving Kiara in pain before giving birth.
On the night of Nov. 10, Kiara’s water broke at home. Manuel said contractions sped up during the car ride to the hospital. They arrived just before midnight, but emergency staff told them the entrance was reserved for ambulances.
Manuel ran inside for help but found no wheelchair where she was told one would be. A security guard eventually helped bring Kiara inside. Manuel said her daughter was left alone, screaming in pain, while staff focused on paperwork. A photo timestamped 12:15 a.m. shows Manuel at the registration window, roughly 30 minutes after arrival.
Once the paperwork was completed, Kiara was moved to triage and later to Labor and Delivery at 12:29 a.m. Manuel said the baby was born at 12:35 a.m. in a critical moment where staff initially froze, highlighting the risk caused by the delay. Both mother and baby faced additional medical interventions immediately after birth.
According to WFAA, medical experts say this incident reflects larger issues in maternal care, particularly for Black women. Dr. Jennifer Ashton said delays during active labor can be dangerous, while nurse practitioners Sharron Allan and Karen Staggers emphasized that laboring patients should be prioritized immediately.
Manuel filed complaints with the hospital but received no response, prompting her to post the videos on social media. Texas State Representatives Rhetta Andrews Bowers and Linda Garcia have met with the hospital CEO to demand accountability and review procedures.
Manuel said she recorded the ordeal to advocate for her daughter. “It wasn’t about my daughter, her pain, what she went through. And worst of all, my grandson, who had no voice, he wasn’t even considered. I was in the emergency room, and it was paperwork over life,” she said.
Both Kiara and her baby are now reported to be okay.