Have you ever had to miss Burning Man?

dragonflyannie · Post by **dragonflyannie** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 10:44 am

Hi everyone!
This year would have been my sixth year straight going to Burning Man, but I'm pregnant and my due date is September 10th and I don't think I'm going to be making it this year. I'm extremely excited about my little burner growing inside of me, but I am having difficulty accepting that I just won't be there this year. My mom asked if any babies have ever been born at Burning Man... not sure that that has happened and not sure I want mine to be the first (even though it has crossed my mind). I just don't think that's wise. So I'm going through the motions of just accepting not going.
Has anyone else ever had to miss Burning Man even though they didn't want to? Was it really that bad? I'm picturing myself being home on burn night, painting my pregnant self and running around the house naked because I can't be there!
Just looking for some reassurance that missing one year will be okay.
Love and light,
Annie

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 10:48 am

To the best of my knowledge, no one has been born there. I'd probably have heard of it, as my husband is in the Emergency Services Department.

We did discuss pregnancy on this board a year or so ago and I believe others have had to make the choice not to burn on the same basis as you.

I left before the burn last year, due to my husband's health issues.

You'll have great stories to tell at decompression. . .

Take care of yourself and know htat the community will be here.

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 11:17 am

hey, congrats annie!

haven't eben in your situation, but talk to BHA. he couldn't go this year and, if i recall correctly, did his own thing with some other burny friends. there are sure to be other like minded souls near you who can't go.

dragonflyannie · Post by **dragonflyannie** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:54 pm

theCryptofishist,

Thanks for your reply! I'm just wondering... out of curiosity, would the Emergency Services Department be able to handle a birth out there? As much as I know it is NOT a good idea to go to BM full term, I do think it would be cool if someone was actually born at the event.

Thanks for the reminder that the community will still be here... I know it will and I know that I have nothing to fear from missing just one year. I know I need to just let it go for a while.

Rian Jackson,

Thanks for your reply as well and thanks for the congrats! I will see if I can track down BHA... and good idea for trying to track down other burners in my region that aren't going.

It will be hard to not go, but it will help knowing other burners are in the same boat! If anyone else gets pregnant and can't go please let me know!!!

Annie

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:14 pm

Just a guess (based on being an EMT years ago)...

If you were in labor on the Playa, I am pretty sure the first choice of the EMS Team would be an emergency transport (ambulance) to the nearest hospital that is equipped for newborns (Reno?). If that is not possible, any EMS Team should be able to handle the actual birth, but would not likely be equipped to handle the aftercare (so again, a transport to a hospital would follow). If anyone knows anything to the contrary, do post.

Assuming I am correct, it seems a logistical nightmare (who would take all of your camp stuff home?) is the least you would be asking for....let alone the risk of complications/possible death.

But I do think it would be special to have a birth out there (assuming it went off w/ no complications...) Which brings up the question of what to put for "Place of Birth" on the birth certificate. Being a "Native" of Black Rock City - that would be pretty cool! It would also qualify as the only approved way to smuggle someone into BRC!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:23 pm

I know that the MrFishist has delivered babies in the course of his duties as an EMT and that he carries an OB/GYN kit especially for that purpose. There should be at least one and I believe two ambulances on the playa at all times during the event and they would have the equipment as well.
Other than that, yours and dragonfly's gut instincts about it being elsewhere are almost certainly right.

ALWAYS feel free to email the ESD directly: [email protected]
Then you will get the proper answer to your question, actual policy and better informed opinion than I can ever give you.

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:30 pm

the idea makes me a little tense. but that could be because i've been around NICU babies for most of my life.

just my paranoia, per chance.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:42 pm

RJ, I don't think any of us have actually endorced it. ESD is a very competent department and if they had to would probably do very well. I hope the only circumstances would be premature labor--because I don't think anyone close to term should be there. Too many variables.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:25 pm

would the Emergency Services Department be able to handle a birth out there?

No doubt they would. Question back to you is would you be willing to put yourself in a potential situation where, if complications were to take place that the childbirth might be jeopardized given the remoteness and various weather patterns. How 'cool' would it be to start labor in the middle of a white out, rain/hail storm with lightening and 50mph winds under a marginally constructed shelter with no access to a surgeon or necessary medicines.

dragonflyannie · Post by **dragonflyannie** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:39 pm

My answer to you is no. My question was purely circumstantial... I would never put my baby in jeopordy just to assure not missing out on Burning Man. I asked the question out of curiosity, since I've been thinking a lot about babies and birth these days.
Please don't think for one second that I would want to be in that situation and put my baby at risk. As cool as it would be for my child to have Black Rock City as the birthplace, it will never happen because I'll be home, safe in my local birthing center in Burlingame, CA when my little burner arrives. I will bring him/her with me to a future Burning Man so he/she can meet you all.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:43 pm

Please don't think for one second that I would want to be in that situation and put my baby at risk.

I'm not Annie. My question was somewhat rhetorical. However, this board has been littered a bit in the past with posts from women suggesting that attending the event - in spite of being late term - overrides certain concerns regarding their pregnancy.

dragonflyannie · Post by **dragonflyannie** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:48 pm

Fair enough Isotopia.
I appreciate your concern and can see why you would raise the issue.

scotto · Post by **scotto** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:02 am

1. Tear down your house. Put it in a truck. Drive 10 hours in any direction. Put the house back together. Invite everyone you meet to come over and party. When everyone leaves, follow them back to their homes, drink all their booze, and break things.

2. Buy a new set of expensive camping gear. Break it.

3. Stack all your fans in one corner of your living room. Put on your most fabulous outfit. Turn the fans on full blast. Dump a vacuum cleaner bag in front of them.

4. Pitch your tent next to the wall of speakers in a crowded, noisy club. Go to sleep.

5. Lean back in a chair until that point where you're just about to fall over, but you catch yourself at the last moment. Hold that position for 9 hours.

6. Only use the toilet in a house that is at least 3 blocks away. Drain all the water from the toilet. Only flush it every 4 days. Hide all the toilet paper.

7. Visit a restaurant and pay them to let you alternate lying in the walk-in freezer and sitting in the oven.

8. Don't sleep for 5 days. Take a wide variety of hallucinogenic/emotion altering drugs. Pick a fight with your boyfriend/girlfriend.

9. Cut, burn, electrocute, bruise, and sunburn various parts of your body. Forget how you did it. Don't go to a doctor.

10. Buy a new pair of favorite shoes. Throw one shoe away.

11. Spend a whole year rummaging through thrift stores for the perfect, most outrageous costume. Forget to pack it.

12. Listen to music you hate for 168 hours straight, or until you think you are going to scream. Scream. Realize you'll love the music for the rest of your life.

13. Bust your ass for a "community." See all the attention get focused on the cracked out drama queen crybaby.

14. Get so drunk you can't recognize your own house. Walk slowly around the block for 5 hours.

15. Sprinkle dirty sand in all your food.

16. Mail $200 to the Reno casino of your choice.

17. Go to a museum. Find one of Salvador Dali's more disturbing but beautiful paintings. Climb inside it.

18. Spend thousands of dollars on a deeply personal artwork. Hide it in a funhouse on the edge of the city. Blow it up.

19. Set up a DJ system downwind of a three-alarm fire. Play a short loop of drum'n'bass until the embers are cold.

20. Have a 3 a.m. soul baring conversation with a drag nun in platforms, a crocodile, and Bugs Bunny. Be unable to tell if you're hallucinating. Lust after Bugs Bunny.

gigglesnort · Post by **gigglesnort** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:14 am

I'm so fucking excited!!!! (Just sayin!) And the brightest blessings to you and the new one, annie dragonfly! I'll think of you two when I'm there, my first time ever! Are you leaning toward any names yet?

Das Bus · Post by **Das Bus** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:41 pm

dragonflyannie wrote: I'm picturing myself being home on burn night, painting my pregnant self and running around the house naked because I can't be there!

Heck, that sounds like a good time to me! ; )

Post by **Eric** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:22 pm

dragonflyannie wrote:Has anyone else ever had to miss Burning Man even though they didn't want to? Was it really that bad?

Congrats on the little one in the oven.
Since the pregnancy on the playa part has been covered, I'll go after the quote above.

I had to miss it last year, as my niece had asked me in '03 if I would perform her wedding, and how could I say no? I only found out later that she was getting married on the day of the Burn last year- on the Idaho side of the Grand Tetons, far from any airport or easy access (a two hour drive from the Idaho Falls airport- if you have a car. I don't drive, and therefore don't have a car)

Missing BM ate at me all year, as it's where I get a bit of centering, but there was no way I could not perform my only nieces wedding, especially when she had asked me personally as her favorite uncle.

It turned out to be one of the best weeks of my life, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I received the full Burning Man experience I wanted (new people, great conversation, an incredible natural surrounding, and a really drunken night with a bunch of people you don't know but end up forming new friendships with...etc) but I received it where I would never have expected it. Who knew that Idaho frat/hockey players would love the gay freak uncle from San Francisco & adopt him?

Since Burning Man is what you take to it, take the parts that are important to you with you- inside- to your birth. To me Burning Man is about life & joy & renewal, and I can't think of a better expression of that than giving birth. The....um.... "disomfort"... of birth can represent the crappy parts of the Event you have to get through for the joy to show up.

I'll go back to being snarky now.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:37 am

I've actually been looking for an elegant way out.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:38 am

Somebody please get me pregnant.

SilkenTofu · Post by **SilkenTofu** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:27 am

Bob wrote:Somebody please get me pregnant.

I guess being pregnant is more elegant and productive than telling your burning friends that you decided to go to Southern Decadence instead.

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:31 am

Bob wrote:I've actually been looking for an elegant way out.

you could fake your own death.

dafydd · Post by **dafydd** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 5:30 pm

dragonflyannie wrote:Hi everyone!
Has anyone else ever had to miss Burning Man even though they didn't want to? Was it really that bad? I'm picturing myself being home on burn night, painting my pregnant self and running around the house naked because I can't be there!
Just looking for some reassurance that missing one year will be okay.
Love and light,
Annie

Annie,

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll be fine missing a year, and I'm sure you'll be amazed, as your child's first birthday approaches, that BM06 is already upon you.

After asking some questions of some people, here are some informal rules of thumb. These do not represent any sort of formal Burning Man or Emergency Services policy regarding pregnancy on playa:

First trimester: Welcome! Have fun! Make sure you stay hydrated, and make sure you know where all of the medical outposts are, just in case.

Second trimester: You really should have regular and easy access to Air Conditioning of some sort, unless you are a veteran Burner and know what you are doing. Check with your doctor before and after the event. Stay cool and hydrated. Consider checking in with medical. Definately know where the medical facilities are located.

Third trimester: Consider skipping the event entirely if you are not a veteran burner. Air Conditioning is a must. Check with your doctor before and after your stay in BRC. Check in with main medical and know where the medical facilities are. Have plenty of friends nearby willing to support you and help out. Have a plan for leaving the playa early if you experience any discomfort.

General health information can be found at

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... afety.html

+++

Since I've been a Ranger and Emergency Services member, no children have been born on playa. While it would be an amazing thing to brag about, it would also be a source of immense stress for everyone involved, including anyone participating in an intervention or evacuation. Honestly, I don't look forward to the first time it happens.

Again, congratulations to you!

Cuddle Bunny · Post by **Cuddle Bunny** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 9:15 am

Dragonfly, due to a change of plans in my 2004 world I was unable to attend Burning Man. I had to sell the ticket that had been hanging on my front door for six months (I'm really sorry about the confusion with that Last Real Burner).

It was heartbreaking. Because of travel I took the same week I saw many burners traveling to the event on I-80 East. I thought I would cry.

And here's what I wish I had done:

Along with turning on all of the fans in my house and dumping vaccuum dust into them, I wish I'd have assisted people who needed help. I wish I had helped with costumes and packing and planning. I talked with and helped my friends who were still going, but I didn't reach out and offer assistance to the greater community.

From costuming to last minute packing, you might not be able to climb into the over-packed minivan with your neighbors, but at least a little part of your spirit would be packed in there with them.

Also, if you'd like to post a mailing address here ... or if you only have a physical address send a PM and I'll make sure you get a Black Rock City postmarked note a few months from now.

Because I won't be missing BM again.

JulzQ1 · Post by **JulzQ1** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:36 pm

I guess i'm going to be the lone person to say go for it. I know you're not really asking for people's opinions on whether or not to go while pregnant so I'll just blabber for a quick minute....

I say that going to burning man during your last trimester is totally up to you. Most importantly, how you connect with your body and how you react to the heat are the two most important things. The decision is certainly not up to people who have never gone through pregnancy. I've heard a lot of people over the years talk about what is "correct" or "safe" for the fetus while pregnant on the playa and what is considered a "safe" pregnancy. Or even if giving birth on the playa could be safe at all. Yet, when most people consider giving birth outside of a hospital only quazi-safe or even unsafe for delivery, I usually don't give much credit to what anyone says about childbirth. Women are powerful and resiliant. So are babies.

Ok I'm done ranting, don't anybody shoot me please.

I've had to miss one year and I'm not going to lie, it sucked. Luckily a few friends of ours couldn't make it that year either so we threw a nice party at our house and watched the burn live on the internet. Actually I think that made it worse in a way, it just made me want to be there even more. But hearing all the cheers and hollars gave me a real sense of being there that I wouldn't have felt otherwise.

Skipping years just makes you appreciate it that much more, espeically because you'll be SO excited the next year you're able to go.

Much luck to you.

wrong trousers · Post by **wrong trousers** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:46 pm

Having a baby is SO much cooler than going to Burning Man!! I'd be way excited & bragging about why I wasn't going!

That said, I DID miss a year, & not for a fabulous reason like yours but because we just couldn't afford it. We realized there was no way it was gonna happen about 3 weeks before the event. It sucked hard. I cried. I avoided the site like the plague during the week. I was obsessed with *not* obsessing over BM the whole week. I was SO pathetically excited when I could look at the site & it said "the man burns in 361 days...".

Um, that's not helpful for you in the least, ha!
Seriously though, you're going to have that baby & not give a rat's teste what was/is happening in a dumb desert far away, & your year is going to FLY by. You're going to have more fun than any of us!

(i have 2 shorties already & am in full baby lust mode, as may be apparent, haha!)

wrong trousers · Post by **wrong trousers** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:59 pm

Having a baby is SO much cooler than going to Burning Man!! I'd be way excited & bragging about why I wasn't going!

That said, I DID miss a year, & not for a fabulous reason like yours but because we just couldn't afford it. We realized there was no way it was gonna happen about 3 weeks before the event. It sucked hard. I cried. I avoided the site like the plague during the week. I was obsessed with *not* obsessing over BM the whole week. I was SO pathetically excited when I could look at the site & it said "the man burns in 361 days...".

Um, that's not helpful for you in the least, ha!
Seriously though, you're going to have that baby & not give a rat's teste what was/is happening in a dumb desert far away, & your year is going to FLY by. You're going to have more fun than any of us!

(i have 2 shorties already & am in full baby lust mode, as may be apparent, haha!)

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 4:13 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:I know that the MrFishist has delivered babies in the course of his duties as an EMT and that he carries an OB/GYN kit especially for that purpose. There should be at least one and I believe two ambulances on the playa at all times during the event and they would have the equipment as well.
Other than that, yours and dragonfly's gut instincts about it being elsewhere are almost certainly right.

ALWAYS feel free to email the ESD directly: [email protected]
Then you will get the proper answer to your question, actual policy and better informed opinion than I can ever give you.

Okay, I got scolded for posting this on the assumption that it would in some way qualify as an ESD endorsement for giving birth during the event. So I will try and clarify.
Just because the Emergency Services Department would have the know-how and possibly the equipment to deal with an unexpected birth on the playa doesn't mean that they think it's a good idea. In fact, they think it's a bad idea. If someone were to go into labor she would be evacuated off playa unless that were impossible.

If you are one of those "the miracle of birth will be one of the greatest fulfillments of my womanhood" mothers to be why would you want to dilute your experience with the event? Plus, you'd be obliged to pay for your midwife's ticket and still miss a portion of the event.

If you're one of those "drug me so hard I can't remember a damn thing" mothers to be, why would you want to be so far from a hospital when you're near term?

Yes, ESD could handle it. They hope never to have to.

Have you ever had to miss Burning Man?

Have you ever had to miss Burning Man?

Can't make it Burning Man...This will help fill the void:

Re: Have you ever had to miss Burning Man?

Re: Have you ever had to miss Burning Man?

Re: Have you ever had to miss Burning Man?