Stories From the NewLife Maternity Center

Dana M

A couple of weeks ago one of our OB/GYN physician's patient with triplets was transferred to Lutheran General, per their specialist's request.  The staff and doctor were sad to see her to, but after she delivered, Carolyn Hines, Dr Mehta and other individuals were in involved in getting the now 34 week triplets back to DCH to get the best care ever.  They are now closer to home, the parents are so happy and so is the staff.

Merrinda J

One afternoon a patient came in for a routine non-stress test for a postdate pregnancy.  As soon as she was put on the monitor it was clear that the baby needed to be delivered.  An emergency cesarean was performed and the baby was admitted to the special care nursery.  Two weeks later this patient came back to see me and told me that to her I was the angel that saved her baby.

Beth R

I had a patient who came in 36 weeks pregnant in labor and scheduled for a repeat c-section.  After evaluating the patient and making her feel comfortable in our care at Delnor and collaborating with the physician, I initiated the idea of attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).  She was hesitant but decided to give it a try.  She was successful with the VBAC and thanked me over and over about how wonderful it was.  She had a great birth experience, which is a memory that can last a women's lifetime.

Sandra A

On a winter blizzard morning I was on my way to work.  Unbeknownst to me, I was soon to become part of helping a new life enter this world.  As I was pulling out of my driveway, a man came up to me in a panic.  He said his wife was in labor and his car was stuck in the snow.  He asked if I could give him a ride to the hospital.  My first thought was, of course yes.  My second thought was that the hospital was 3 minutes away, as I live in Winfield and assumed he was going to the nearest hospital.  As fate would have it, he said they were going to Delnor.  The ride was very intense but we talked like we knew each other for years.  I prayed the whole way!  My new neighbors of 3 months delivered a beautiful baby boy one hour after I arrived to work.

Holly R

I will never forget her.  She was a 7 month-old little girl who was the size of a one month old due to a congenital heart defect and pre-maturity.  I was her primary nurse and unfortunately she was admitted often.  Her parents, naturally were stressed and overwhelmed.  One night I convinced them to go out to eat and would spend time with their daughter.  Fortunately, we weren't busy so this little baby girl and I rocked in a chair for over an hour and I sang to her.  I remember looking into her eyes and feeling her heart with every beat.  She was so frail.  She finally fell asleep.  A couple days later her heart had given up.  She was gone.  She had never been baptized and her parents wanted her to be before she was laid to rest.  All her family gathered in my patient's room for the baptism.  Then, her parents asked me to hold their daughter during the ceremony.  I was overwhelmed by their request.  While I held her lifeless body, I realized how much I had touched her family - and how they had touched me.  I realized that I had made a difference in their lives and made a connection with the family that words could never explain.  I think of that little patient often, especially when I am tired and feeling burned out.  She helps me remember why I became a nurse.  in what other profession or career are you given the opportunity to touch the souls of others and truly make a difference?  I can't think of one.

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