Supportive Care During Pregnancy, Labor, and Delivery [Mariah Schmidt]

My name's Mariah. I originally grew up in Volga, South Dakota, so around here locally. And I work for SDSU in the HR department for the College of Ag. 

How is your new baby?

She's been the greatest addition to our life. She came out with a full head of hair, pretty brown eyes. I always wanted her to have her daddy's brown eyes. She was 6 pounds, 2 ounces. And she's just been a joy that has been added to our daily lives for sure.

How was your care during pregnancy?

I'd say, from start to finish, it was great. The care from just checking in for weekly to daily appointments was great. There was always a friendly face. They always helped me really quickly. And then from the day I delivered, or even the day I left the hospital, we were always greeted. It kind of just felt like a family experience. You know, they were always helpful with scheduling, getting appointments. You know, it's kind of hard with OB, scheduling it into your daily life. But they were always really well about working with us and kind of worked for us and them as well. 

How did the staff support you during delivery?

So, the staff was great. They're super friendly, smiles all the time, always helpful with any questions we had to me and my husband, or my parents did end up coming in as well. They were helpful with them as well.

How did your birth plan changes during delivery?

I had been laboring for about almost 24 hours. She had to break my water a couple hours before that. And I just kind of stopped progressing. We kind of did everything to get her to progress, and it didn't really go any further. I did end up getting to a six, but at that point, her heart rates and everything were starting to dip. All the nurses were hands-on, changing positions, just trying to get anything to get me to progress but also have her be safe. So, the main thing that needed to change was we were getting close, but her heart rate was dipping. So, in the end, we just decided it was safer for her to come out via C-section. I told Dr. Haarsma, I was like, "If you think we need to do it, let's do it." You know, I trusted her, and I just wanted to do whatever was safe.

How did Dr. Haarsma support your birth plan?

I went into everything in this labor experience with a very open mind because I know it can change. So, she was helpful in helping us decide kind of what route we wanted to take, but then, you know, always having a backup plan as well. I feel like if parents didn't have a plan B, they're gonna be very worked up and anxious, and it'll just kind of tumble and add up and make things kind of more stressful for them and on the baby. We just had an open conversation about it with my husband. I just wanted her to come safely and for me to be safe as well. 

How was the recovery from your C-section?

It's been great. Obviously, it was very hard right away, and, you know, in my head, I kind of had a different idea of how my recovery was gonna go. But not being able to carry her in a car seat or carry anything heavier than her was definitely kind of hard. Physically though has been great. Dr. Haarsma did a great job with my C-section. I honestly feel like I didn't even have a C-section. And just the support too that, you know, you have here at the hospital. You know, you have the baby café for lactation, kind of all those groups. I just feel like, when we left the hospital, I could come to the nurses with any questions or anything I was struggling with. So, that has also made my recovery very easy, just knowing I have that support as well.

What did you appreciate most about your care?

I felt like family. I was very nervous to be very open and just exposed in just a different kind of way. But the nurses were great. I never felt uncomfortable with any questions. I feel like I could ask any personal question, and they would not judge me. They would give me their honest medical opinion. 

What advice would you give someone that is nervous about changing their birth?

I would say look at the end result. You have your baby here healthy, and that's the biggest thing that you should ever hope for. Whatever route that may be, I'd say just trust your doctors and your nurses that they're gonna do whatever is safest for you and your baby. That was the biggest thing for me, was I wanted my baby to be here and be safe and in my arms no matter the route we had to take. 

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

So, I would highly recommend Brookings Health System for the great quality care. Their large staff is so friendly. You know, you're always greeted. If you ever have a question, they're always gonna answer with a smile. They'll answer any questions you have. They have tons of resources, whether that's prepartum, postpartum for you and for baby or even the family as a whole. You know, they have just a great quality of care overall, and I would highly recommend coming here.

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