As a first-time mom, I was nervous about delivering at any hospital given the many horror stories…read moreI've heard about patient care. However, I decided I wanted to be surrounded by professionals with expertise in both baby and mom care, and I'm so glad I chose Baptist.
Arrival & First Impressions: When I arrived, I wasn't sure if I was in active labor or not, but I quickly learned I was. After being checked, I was immediately moved into a labor and delivery room. My first nurse, Paige, was incredibly encouraging. She reassured me that I could deliver without an epidural, especially since I was already 5cm dilated and not in much pain.
Nurse Transition: Paige let me know her shift was ending and introduced me to the nurses who would take over. By this point, I was 8cm dilated, and the new team--Lisa (Charge Nurse), Sierra (RN), Lindsey (Unit Manager), and Dr. Owens--made me feel confident and supported. I didn't experience pain until they had to break my water at 9cm.
Delivery: Dr. Owens and her team delivered my baby. I labored for 6 hours, and after 3 pushes, my baby was born. They were very clear with instructions, guiding me through the process by counting and telling me when to push. My husband was able to cut the umbilical cord, and they immediately placed my baby on me for skin-to-skin. I was also able to opt out of having my baby bathed right away, which meant a lot to me.
Post-Delivery Care: After birth, I was transferred to a new room and introduced to my new nurses and lactation specialist. Kacee, the lactation consultant, was fantastic in helping me get the baby to latch, and Amy, the nurse, assisted me when Kacee wasn't available. I also want to give a shoutout to the other nurses during shift changes--Dakeila, Lanitra (who provided amazing resources and support, especially after my baby had to go to the NICU), and Patient Care Assistants Denita and Hieu.
NICU Care: My baby had some low oxygen levels after feeding, so the nurses transferred her to the NICU. Heidi, the nurse, was wonderful and made my husband and I feel at ease during a stressful time. Her empathy and positive energy helped us through a scary situation.
Follow-up: We were discharged after three days, and the doctors called us after two days at home to check in and make sure we had everything we needed for our baby, while also ensuring I was recovering well.
Overall, my experience at Baptist was incredibly positive. While I know every nurse and situation is different, each of the nurses I interacted with made me feel comfortable and never like a burden, even when I had many questions. I am truly grateful for the care we received, and I hope that all families receive the same level of care that I did. It took away all of my fears and anxieties about delivering in a hospital. Thank you, Baptist!