Kelsey Strassner
November 2022
Kelsey
Strassner
,
BSN. RN
Labor & Delivery
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
St Louis
,
MO
United States
Kelsey worked with me one-on-one with natural induction exercises and kept me informed on potential interventions.
I want to express my immense gratitude and appreciation for the Labor & Delivery staff when I gave birth to my son. My delivery experience was a bit unusual as I had some bleeding a few days prior, and I was in and out of the WAC for a couple of days. The staff at the WAC were completely warm and welcoming, providing education about my medical situation as well as honoring my hesitation to be induced. When the big day came, I was admitted directly to L&D to start natural induction. Our nurse was Kelsey, who was exceptionally kind and caring. She worked with me and my husband about our goals for labor, completely understanding and acknowledging my desire for an unmedicated delivery. I was so slow to dilate, and Kelsey worked with me one-on-one with natural induction exercises and kept me informed on potential interventions.
When shift change occurred, it was bittersweet that she would not be there for the delivery, but my delivery saints were about to arrive. We had the absolute privilege to be cared for by Mallory and Chelsea that night and the following morning. After a few hours, my contractions were not doing well, and neither was I. Because of my dilation delays, cervical exams were needed by the provider team and Chelsea advocated for me to keep checks to a minimum, knowing how much pain I was in. Mallory was holding my hand when I threw up from the pain. I was extremely hesitant to receive an epidural, and Mallory and Chelsea were my cheerleaders to make sure I followed my plan but also were encouraging when my body and spirit decided to quit. Both sat at my bedside as we discussed as a team about receiving an epidural. I get emotional thinking about how encouraging and supportive they were as my birth plan changed.
When the big pushes started to come, Mallory and Chelsea were on one side with my husband on the other. When I think about the birth of my child, I immediately hear Mallory’s voice counting and breathing along with me. She made me feel calm, yet excited, and most importantly, empowered. When we discovered that we had a son, I remember the excitement on Chelsea’s face as I held him for the first time. Unfortunately, I did experience some hemorrhaging after delivery, but their support did not waver, and they remained by my side. My eyes were filled with happy and sad tears as their shift ended and we were sent to postpartum.
Long story short, I cannot thank these nurses enough as important and critical team members of my delivery. I will cherish their support for the rest of my life, and if/when I deliver again, I hope to have a team as amazing as them. Please pass along my gratitude if possible to them, and when I return from maternity leave, I hope I can swing by to express my gratitude in person and share some cute baby pictures!
When shift change occurred, it was bittersweet that she would not be there for the delivery, but my delivery saints were about to arrive. We had the absolute privilege to be cared for by Mallory and Chelsea that night and the following morning. After a few hours, my contractions were not doing well, and neither was I. Because of my dilation delays, cervical exams were needed by the provider team and Chelsea advocated for me to keep checks to a minimum, knowing how much pain I was in. Mallory was holding my hand when I threw up from the pain. I was extremely hesitant to receive an epidural, and Mallory and Chelsea were my cheerleaders to make sure I followed my plan but also were encouraging when my body and spirit decided to quit. Both sat at my bedside as we discussed as a team about receiving an epidural. I get emotional thinking about how encouraging and supportive they were as my birth plan changed.
When the big pushes started to come, Mallory and Chelsea were on one side with my husband on the other. When I think about the birth of my child, I immediately hear Mallory’s voice counting and breathing along with me. She made me feel calm, yet excited, and most importantly, empowered. When we discovered that we had a son, I remember the excitement on Chelsea’s face as I held him for the first time. Unfortunately, I did experience some hemorrhaging after delivery, but their support did not waver, and they remained by my side. My eyes were filled with happy and sad tears as their shift ended and we were sent to postpartum.
Long story short, I cannot thank these nurses enough as important and critical team members of my delivery. I will cherish their support for the rest of my life, and if/when I deliver again, I hope to have a team as amazing as them. Please pass along my gratitude if possible to them, and when I return from maternity leave, I hope I can swing by to express my gratitude in person and share some cute baby pictures!