Labor & Delivery Team Creates Positive Birth Experience [Heather Weber]

My name is Heather Weber. I live here in Brookings, and I'm a physical therapist assistant. My husband and I have three kids, Logan who's 6, he'll just be starting kindergarten. And then twins, Maddox and Mason, who are 2 months.

Why did you choose delivery at Brookings Health System?

I didn't really have a reason not to choose Brookings, but talking with other peers and friends in the community have all had really good experiences.

What was your reaction after finding out you were pregnant with twins?

Going into that first appointment, it never even crossed my mind as a possibility to have twins. It was very overwhelming and fearful. I remember the first appointment with Dr. Haarsma, she just said, "Oh, boy, you've got two in there," and the room went silent. You could hear a pin drop. So, it really took a long time to process. I don't think it was really processed for me until after I delivered, and I seen them both for the first time next to each other. Even though all the appointments leading up to it were, "The twins are great, the twins are great." I never really felt like I had twins in me.

Did your pregnancy feel different with twins?

It really didn't. Towards the end it did. I was much more uncomfortable, maybe a little bit larger. But the pregnancy didn't really seem a whole lot different than my first. But now I can't imagine not having them both.

How was your care during pregnancy?

So, during the pregnancy, we definitely had a lot more OB appointments and ultrasounds, which actually ended up being more reassuring to me because we didn't have to wait as long in between appointments, just to make sure everything was okay and going as expected.

How did the twins change your birth plan?

So, I really wanted to opt for a natural birth if I could. But talking with Dr. Haarsma, she obviously let me know it's a higher-risk situation. We would be delivering in the operating room, just in case of an emergency situation. So, she let me know that that was always a possibility of a C-section. And I have a very strong type-A personality. I am a planner. And so not knowing, is it gonna be natural, is it gonna be a C-section until the time of delivery was a little unsettling. But I knew at the end of it, I was in good hands and that I would have two babies at the end of it.

How was your experience with Dr. Haarsma?

And it was actually really neat to see some of the labor and delivery nurses were familiar to me from our first pregnancy, too, so I think that says a lot about Brookings Health System as well that the carryover of the staff was still there. But Dr. Haarsma was really great. She's very relatable. She understands what you're experiencing because she's been through it herself. She sees all these women every day.

She can really help you through kind of what you feel would help you the best and give you suggestions as well. I remember it was before a holiday weekend...Dr. Haarsma...or I had messaged Dr. Haarsma on the portal. I was having some pretty moderate symptoms. I had an upcoming appointment the next week and she called me after 5 before the weekend just to check in, talk things through, and make sure everything was good. So, I really appreciated that.

How was the day of delivery?

We checked in and did all the registration up on the labor and delivery floor. And then Dr. Haarsma came in and she broke my water, and we started the induction. And when I got to about that 9 centimeters, then they took me down to the operating room for the delivery. And it was actually pretty quick. The boys were 40 minutes apart, which I wasn't really expecting because it was a natural birth.

How did the staff support you during delivery?

The staff at Brookings Health System was top-notch, amazing. I will remember each of those nurses by first name. They are so genuine, their experience is top-notch as well.

How was your postpartum recovery?

Babies are thriving. I actually am very surprised as to how quickly I recovered and how postpartum went, both physically and mentally. Physically, I think it went better than after my first, which I was not expecting. I was expecting it to be much longer. And then with Dr. Haarsma's help, mentally, I was in a much better place with the twins, too, afterwards.

What advice would you give someone expecting twins?

All the feelings that you feel of being overwhelmed and fear are completely normal and absolutely okay and to accept the help. I know I put a lot of pressure on myself to prove that I could do it, and I can do it, but just because you ask for help doesn't mean you're not capable. You need to have a break and time to yourself in order to be in a good mental state for you and then to care for your babies.

What did you appreciate most about delivering at Brookings Health System?

I think I just appreciated that the Brookings Health System, during their shifts, they tried to keep the same nurses with you during the entirety of their shift. Obviously, with busy times, you might get a different nurse but they communicated so well with each other. Everybody kind of knew what was going on and what your needs were. And then with each shift change, each nurse came in, introduced themselves so that it was a familiar face to you. And then one thing I wanted to point out was not one person left our room, including the custodial staff without asking us if we needed anything.

What would you tell someone considering delivery at Brookings Health System?

Everybody did such an amazing job. All my concerns, all my needs were met. Any questions were answered. They made me feel so comfortable. Again, delivering in the operating room was a little bit intimidating. There was extra eyes in there. And just being in that environment is a little intimidating, but everybody just made me feel so much more comfortable.

It's local. Everybody here is very experienced and knowledgeable and can give you the best care that you need.

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