One bundle of joy, and two lives forever changed.

Exceptional Care Story––Lauren Donofrio

As we prepared to go to the hospital when labor started, I realized that this was not just a short drive over the lake to St. Mary’s but a journey that would lead me and my husband into a whole new life as parents.

When we arrived, I was feeling a little anxious about what was to come, but the friendly and efficient registration staff made sure that I knew my baby and I were a priority. Once upstairs, our nurse helped us settle into our private labor room, and I was pleasantly surprised that it did not look like a dreary hospital room.

Throughout the night labor continued, but my anxiety over having our little one seemed to fade away with the exceptional compassion and care I received from the nursing staff and anesthesiologist. My night nurse, Debbie, reassured me that I was doing a great job and helped me understand important medical information like the epidural process. She also took the time to explain what was happening when our baby’s heart rate dipped and indicated she was experiencing some distress. Watching the monitor and seeing my baby’s heart rate drop could have been a terrifying moment, but Debbie explained what was happening in a calm and compassionate way. Her presence brought a sense of control and peace into the room.

My labor slowly progressed through the night and into the morning. In this situation it is easy to feel discouraged, but the St. Mary’s staff made sure I was comfortable and in good spirits. When my physician came to tell me that I would need a c-section, I felt confident that I was in great hands and really trusted each staff member to take care of the baby and me. When I heard, “It’s a girl!” from my doctor I realized the miracle that had just happened and how blessed I was to be in an excellent hospital where I felt like part of the team rather than just the patient.

The days after my daughter Olivia’s birth were filled with great post-operative and pediatric care. Olivia experienced a relatively common newborn complication, jaundice, and Amy Kindred-Johnson, a pediatric nurse practitioner, caught her jaundice very early so that it could be treated before we were discharged. Had Amy not caught it so early, we would have had to bring Olivia back to the hospital for treatment, a hassle that no new mom wants to deal with. Amy is such an asset to all new moms and babies at St. Mary’s.

Overall, I am so impressed with the care I received here. St. Mary’s is more than just a hospital to my family; it is part of our journey in life.