From the very beginning to the very end, every single person at Bronson was a godsend!
While I was pregnant with my daughter, Ruby, I had done a lot of research to develop my birth plan. I hired a doula and intended to have a labor and delivery without pain medication or being induced.
As I neared 42 weeks of pregnancy, I finally began having consistent contractions. Those lasted for several days. I went to the Bronson BirthPlace in Kalamazoo for a non-stress test and it was determined I was officially in labor. Finally! By this time, my contractions were getting much stronger and I was exhausted. While I really wanted a medication-free labor and delivery, I decided a dose of morphine was necessary to help me get some much needed rest.
Because I had strayed from my birth plan, I felt discouraged, but we ended up knowing our nurse, Susie, and she gave me all the encouragement I needed. She was an angel!
As things progressed, our other nurse, Ingrid, was so accommodating of our doula and worked closely with her to give me as natural of a labor and delivery as possible. Every 30 minutes, she helped me keep moving. It was so above and beyond what she needed to do. She was calming and always made sure I understood everything that was going on. She was an incredible coach throughout the delivery.
Ruby was born weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces. We were over the moon to have her in our arms.
The lactation consultants from the Bronson Breastfeeding Center were there within an hour of Ruby’s birth. They helped her latch right away. To help supplement until I had enough milk, we were given donor milk from the Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank. They even provided us with a bottle to take home.
We visited the Bronson Breastfeeding Center several times during our first several weeks with Ruby. Every time we left, I wanted to hug the staff! They were so patient and calm – it was incredible. They made sure I had everything I needed to be successful.
I was so impressed with the care I received while at Bronson. From the doctors and nurses to the lactation consultants and environmental services team – I received amazing support from all of the staff members.
From the very beginning to the very end, every single person at Bronson was a godsend!
