Flashlight urged for Brit Y2K moms

``The suggestion that all women may find it useful to bring with them a small torch is for personal use only,'' Yeomanson said.

The letter also gives a number of other tips. Women were advised to ensure they have ``a car with petrol and a sober driver,'' as well as ``a flask and sandwiches for your partner.''

-- John Ainsworth (ainsje00@wfu.edu), December 26, 1999

Answers

John,

Why are those to be considered bad recommendations? As a veteran of two homebirth efforts who well understands the importance of taking responsibility for getting her children born, I can say that those precautions seem downright smart to me.

-- silver ion (birth@home.supplies), December 26, 1999.

Yes, but if thats all someone does for y2k...

-- John Ainsworth (ainsje00@wfu.edu), December 26, 1999.

torch=flashlight

-- Jim Bob (izzitover@yet.com), December 26, 1999.

Hey there John-boy! Torch is the English language version of flashlight. Same meaning.

on de rock

-- Walter (on de rock@northrock.bm), December 26, 1999.

My mistake.

I guess it is true about the Americans and the English being two peoples separated by the same language.

-- John Ainsworth (ainsje00@wfu.edu), December 26, 1999.

Yeah,I saw this a few days back and was *freaking* out with the image of all these women in labor bringing these huge, lit-up TORCHES to the hospital w/them. Then it occured to me there *might* be a problem in the translation.....flashlights!

I thought the part about the sober driver was interesting.

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), December 26, 1999.