October 2024
Hannah R
Zahm
,
BSN, RN
Birthing Center
Freeman Health System
Joplin
,
MO
United States
I am so thankful that she was by my side through one of the most vulnerable and powerless times in my life. She is an incredible caregiver, full of compassion, support, professionalism, and an incredible patient advocate.
Hannah came in to take care of me when my labor started the day before Mother's Day. I brought a birthing plan to the hospital but I never even got it out of my bag. She spent all night and continued caring for me the next day making sure I was able to labor as naturally as possible. She ensured I didn't get connected to an IV all throughout my labor. She would saline lock my IV in between my antibiotic. She brought the Dinamap into the bathroom to take my vitals so I didn't have to get out of the tub. The next morning when my strip started to look less reassuring she remained at my bedside to assist with interventions. She reassured me that my baby's heart rate variability was still good when the decels weren't resolving, allowing me to try everything we could for a natural birth. And when I finally came to terms with the fact my baby needed a c-section, she made sure I got to spend as much time in the OR with my baby as possible and had him waiting for me in recovery so I could have the golden hour. Even though my delivery wasn't what I had hoped, she made sure it was as close as possible, and because of her, I was able to labor how I wanted. She was a calming and reassuring presence throughout to both my husband and me. She gave up spending Mother's Day with her kids and husband so she could care for me and had to be kicked out by our charge RN because she legally couldn't work any longer. I am so thankful that she was by my side through one of the most vulnerable and powerless times in my life. She is an incredible caregiver, full of compassion, support, professionalism, and an incredible patient advocate. She delivers on the Freeman Five Star Promise on every level!