Birth & Women's Health Center |
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I'm sitting here on a rainy morning curled up in bed with the Most Beautiful Girl in the Whole Wide World, my daughter, Julia, asleep beside me. She is a miracle. It is difficult for my husband, Reid, and I to express exactly how grateful we are to you for helping to make her entry into this worls so serene. I could gush for hours (and often do when people let me) about the superb care we received at the Birth Center. The Centering class, run by Lisa and Maggie, provided a wonderful way to connect with other parents-to-be and helped to make our pregnancy as happy and healthy as possible. The birth could not have been better if I had scripted it myself. My memories of the event are filled with soft music, a warm tub, and gentle voices. Tanya, our midwife, provided the gentle encouragement that I needed. Fed by the hushed "Wovs" of Reid and the delivery team, I gave birth to Julia underwater at 4:15 AM on August 9, 2004. The nurses, Kristie and Yuriko, Helped to ease me through the post-birth period with the greatest of patience As beautiful as our delivery experince was, it was the care that we received at home that most amazed us. While a healthy 6 lbs, 10 oz at birth, Julia was born nearly three weeks early. In her first days, she was more interested in sleeping than eating and began a downward spiral of wieght loss that would leave both of her parents exhausted and on the brink of collapse. Sensing our distress in a follow-up call, Maggie arranged for Tara to to meet us at our house and assess the situation. Tara helped to calm us down. and when she was called away to the Birth Center, Maggie took her place and formed a plan that allowed us all to survive the night. They helped us endure the next few days through follow-up calls and visits to our home. At their advice, we met with a lactation consultant at TMC. However, it was Fran's advice and reassuring answers to our questions that helped us the most with our breastfeeding concerns. While our pediatrician's care was also very critical suring this difficult time, I credit the supprort of the Birth Center staff with heping us survive our first teetering steps as a new family. In today's harried world, it is rare to find people who put so much of themselves into their work as do the people at the Birth Center. It is our hope that this small gift will help you continue your work and allow others to experience the same outstanding care that we received. There are few events in life as sacred as the birth of one's child. We are forever grateful to have been able to share this event with you. With love and appreciation, Elaine, Reid, and Julia Bailey
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Dear Birth Center Staff,