At exactly 34 weeks pregnant, I found myself arriving at the family birth center with PPROM. From the moment I arrived in triage to the birth of my daughter, I felt so cared for and heard by all the LDRP nurses and midwives. In what was an unexpected early arrival of our baby girl, the nurses and midwives helped us process the fear, the uncertainty, and all the questions we had. 

Upon arrival at the family birth center, Sharae Biscoff was the midwife who first met with me. I had not yet seen any of the midwives for care as I was seeing my PCP for prenatal appointments. From the moment Sharae walked into my room and spoke, I knew I could trust her and was instantly comforted. She began by explaining to me what was going on, what I could expect going forward, and what the risks and benefits were. She made sure that I knew the decisions going forward were up to me and my husband, but that she would inform me as best as she could. Through the remainder of that night and the next days that she was on the LDRP floor, Sharae spent so much time in my room listening to my hopes and plans for my birth, answering my questions, and getting to know me. Along with the nurses, she arranged for the neonatologist, lactation, and OBs to consult with me about delivering a 34-week baby. While I know this is part of her job, I feel that Sharae went above and beyond her job duties to make sure I was comfortable given the situation and had all my questions and concerns answered. She spent so much time in my room and never made me feel like she was in a hurry to see another patient. I felt like the only patient on the floor because she was so available to me! I can never thank her enough for helping me and encouraging me through the days leading up to my labor and again through the delivery of my little girl. Thank you, Sharae, and all the midwives! 

In addition, there were several labor and delivery nurses who stood out to me as going above and beyond. I will probably forget to name a few, so a huge thank you to all the nurses. Each one who cared for me during my stay helped me feel so comfortable and at peace despite feeling so uncertain and anxious about my daughter’s early arrival. One nurse who stood out was Molly Teini. Having known Molly from college, it was an instant comfort to see her walk into my room. But what stood out to me about Molly was the way she helped me put my concerns into questions. When the OB and midwives came in to consult with me, Molly stayed with me and helped me ask questions. She advocated for me and my baby girl, and she asked the questions I would have forgotten to ask. She also listened to me, answered my questions and concerns to the best of her ability, and made me feel like the only patient on the floor. She made so much time for me, and I will forever be grateful for her role in my labor and daughter's delivery. 

Heidi Harris-Morgan and Jordan Swanson were two other nurses who cared for me so well. They were my nurses on the day we decided to induce my labor. The first time they walked into my room, they sat down and asked me what I wanted my labor and delivery to look like. At this point, I felt like my whole birth plan was out the window due to preterm labor. However, Heidi and Jordan listened to me so well, and they fought for me to have as much of my birth plan as possible. They knew I wanted to move during labor, so they brought me all the resources I needed to do that, even though being on the telemetry unit was probably not as convenient for them. Once my labor began progressing, they were quick to answer my questions and address my concerns. They helped me walk around my room, gave me good positions and movements to help move baby lower into the pelvis, and checked on me constantly to make sure baby and I were handling the Pitocin well. They also reassured me when baby needed more monitoring and oxygen. I was so thankful for them helping me and laboring alongside me. Again, they made me feel like the only patient on the floor because they spent so much time in my room. I can never say thank you enough. Even now when I see Jordan while walking to the NICU, she asks me how I am and how my daughter is. I can’t believe she remembers me! To many, it may seem like they are just doing their jobs, but in reality, they are taking part in the magic of new life. It felt to me as though each nurse and midwife I had knew they were part of my special moment and they allowed themselves to be wrapped up in the magic of it all! 

Lastly, Lanea Hope was the nurse who cared for me during the remainder of my labor and delivery. Lanea had been my nurse the night before, so I was instantly at ease seeing her walk into my room. I also knew Lanea cared about and wanted to see me have the labor and delivery I envisioned. She was such a support and encouragement to me, and again, she made me feel like the only patient she had. She would even tell me when she was in my room that I was the only person that mattered while she was there. She spent so much of her time helping me through different positions on the peanut ball to help move baby into the birth canal. I never experienced this with my first, and I was so shocked that she and the midwives wanted to spend the time with me in my room encouraging me instead of sitting at the nurse’s station. Lanea, thank you for being so steady while I felt so out of control. Because of her, I will always look back on this day and remember it with joy instead of anxiety and fear. 

I have already been recommending Billings Clinic and the midwives to other expecting moms. I can’t stop talking about how redemptive my birth experience was despite having a preemie and a long NICU stay. Thank you to all!