August 2020
Jessica
Streeter
,
BSN, RN, C-EFM
Woman's Health Labor and Delivery Triage
Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
Grand Rapids
,
MI
United States
I came to the ER worried about my pregnancy. I was five months pregnant with a baby girl. I was sent for an ultrasound and as soon as I saw the screen I burst into tears. No flickering heartbeat, no movement. I knew before the doctors confirmed it that I had lost my precious baby. I was told that she would need to be delivered and I was admitted and sent to the labor and delivery floor.
This floor for most parents brings anticipation and joy. For a small few though, they experience the worst heartbreak of saying goodbye to their child instead of hello. I was now one of those few and I was in complete shock! I delivered my tiny baby girl the next day. I held and examined her and cried for hours. I felt so empty and so alone.
I had one nurse who touched my life in an awesome way. Her name is Jessica and she comforted me and explained to me how my pain will never go away, but in time it will get better. She then told me about how she had lost three babies but went on to have healthy children. She handled my daughter with respect and care and made me a beautiful mold of her that means the world to me.
Three months later I found out I was pregnant again. This time I was having a baby boy. My pregnancy was complicated, and I ended up in Butterworth Hospital's Women's Special Care unit on bed-rest for two months. I had some bad pain and ended up on the labor and delivery floor. I was told I needed an emergency c-section and that I couldn't stay awake for it. I was panicking and said I couldn't hear my son's first cry. Then I saw a familiar face - it was Jessica holding my hand and helping me once again; this time sharing in my joy. My son is being discharged from NICU today and is a healthy five-pound boy.
This floor for most parents brings anticipation and joy. For a small few though, they experience the worst heartbreak of saying goodbye to their child instead of hello. I was now one of those few and I was in complete shock! I delivered my tiny baby girl the next day. I held and examined her and cried for hours. I felt so empty and so alone.
I had one nurse who touched my life in an awesome way. Her name is Jessica and she comforted me and explained to me how my pain will never go away, but in time it will get better. She then told me about how she had lost three babies but went on to have healthy children. She handled my daughter with respect and care and made me a beautiful mold of her that means the world to me.
Three months later I found out I was pregnant again. This time I was having a baby boy. My pregnancy was complicated, and I ended up in Butterworth Hospital's Women's Special Care unit on bed-rest for two months. I had some bad pain and ended up on the labor and delivery floor. I was told I needed an emergency c-section and that I couldn't stay awake for it. I was panicking and said I couldn't hear my son's first cry. Then I saw a familiar face - it was Jessica holding my hand and helping me once again; this time sharing in my joy. My son is being discharged from NICU today and is a healthy five-pound boy.