SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: Labor And Delivery With Baby Number Three

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

December 7, 2021

Part 2: One Woman’s Journey to Motherhood

Niquaja Burns, 38, arrived at the labor and delivery unit at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis on April 19, 2021, for her scheduled induction. She was excited, anxious, and a little nervous, which is how most expectant moms feel as they prepare to give birth.

“Once I got to my room, the labor and delivery team was there to greet me, telling me it was going to be a wonderful day. And they made sure it was,” said Burns. “They were just as excited, so I knew I was in good hands.”

From admission through delivery and during those first important hours, St. Mary’s labor and delivery nurses and medical providers partner with expectant moms and their families to help welcome these precious new babies into the world. There’s also a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where the smallest newborns get state-of-the-art care, when needed.

“Our labor team is focused on empowering patients with education, guidance, physical and emotional support to facilitate a safe delivery,” said Elena Jenkins, RN, BSN, nurse manager in labor and delivery at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis. “This begins with talking about the ways in which we can help create the birthing experience you want, whether you have a high- or low-risk pregnancy. We’re dedicated to promoting a comforting environment, including welcoming doulas and family to support you in this final stage of your journey to motherhood.”

Burns expressed her wishes for a vaginal, uncomplicated birth. She wanted to avoid having a C-section. Fortunately, the induction proceeded as planned with Burns receiving the pain management support she needed as well.

“Our nurses have a wealth of labor support techniques and pain management strategies to best help our patients cope,” said Jenkins. “When you deliver at St. Mary’s, you can rest assured that you’re in the hands of some of the most highly-trained providers in perinatal care.”

Just a few hours after the induction began, and with the help of her labor and delivery team, Burns delivered a healthy, six-pound baby girl, Niquaja. “My labor and delivery went exactly how I had hoped it would,” she said. “I also noticed that the itchiness from the cholestasis had finally disappeared, which was a relief.”

Burns was even able to cut her own umbilical cord – a wish she had shared with her labor and delivery team before the induction began. “Her daddy was able to cut the last umbilical cord, so I wanted to experience it this time around,” she said.

Baby Niquaja was immediately placed on Burns’ chest to allow for bonding through skin-to-skin contact as well as breastfeeding. After that first hour, baby Niquaja’s vitals were assessed, and her weight was recorded. Burns felt great and was up moving around shortly after delivery before being transferred with her baby to a postpartum suite for continued bonding, recovery, and monitoring.

Stay tuned for part three of Burns’ journey: Breastfeeding and Lactation Support…

Learn more about SSM Health maternity services

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.