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Our Patients Say it Best

Your friends and neighbors from throughout southwest Michigan and beyond share their experiences at Spectrum Health Lakeland. Do you have a story to share? Click on the "What's Your Story" button and complete the form. 


Sep 9, 2015 Reporting from Niles, MI
Connecting in a New Place - Jenny Ryan
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/how-we-compare/our-patients/Detail/Connecting-in-a-New-Place/1dc251ad-c230-6723-add8-ff0000ca780f/
Sep 9, 2015
New to the area, Jenny Ryan was nervous about choosing a medical provider to care for her and her baby through pregnancy and delivery. In the past, Jenny had a personable and comfortable connection with the clinician who delivered her two boys. She w

Connecting in a New Place - Jenny Ryan

SpectrumHealth Lakeland

Connecting in a New Place - Jenny Ryan

Sep, 2015

Physicians: Bobbi Brown, CNM


New to the area, Jenny Ryan was nervous about choosing a medical provider to care for her and her baby through pregnancy and delivery. In the past, Jenny had a personable and comfortable connection with the clinician who delivered her two boys. She worried about being shuffled between doctors at a large practice or failing to connect with someone new.

With the advice of her friends, Jenny decided to give BellaNova Women's Health in St. Joseph a try. In Tennessee, she was used to a small practice, composed of only one doctor and one nurse. Here, Jenny felt overwhelmed by all of the attention.

"At first I wondered if it would be the right choice for me," said Jenny. "But then I met the BellaNova team and we had a great connection. They made it feel intimate and made me feel cared for."

Throughout her pregnancy, Jenny was repeatedly put at ease by the friendly, personal care she received at BellaNova.

"The practice made me feel welcome in a new place," said Jenny. "The staff all knew who I was and my history. We never did try anywhere else; I knew BellaNova and Dr. Conklin were right for me."

On the day Jenny went into labor, she walked from home to the BirthPlace at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Jenny didn't realize she was leaking fluids, and that her labor and delivery would have to progress quicker than originally planned. She would have to have a natural birth without pain medication or an epidural. Fortunately, one of BellaNova's midwives, Bobbi Brown, CNM, FNP, was on-call.

"I absolutely loved Bobbi," said Jenny. "She was incredible. There was no way I could have done a natural birth without her."

Bobbi and the obstetrics staff stayed with Jenny through her labor, providing continuous support and reassurance.

"They were all very encouraging–I was scared, but they told me to focus and that I could do this, which is exactly what I needed," said Jenny.

Forty-five minutes after her water broke, Jenny welcomed daughter Emery into the world.

Throughout her three-day stay at the BirthPlace in St. Joseph, Jenny felt the personal care and compassion the staff had for their jobs.

"Emery had to be in the nursery to receive antibiotics, at the same time, I didn't want my baby to be away from me for long. The nursery staff explained everything and were great about telling me when I'd get her back, and why they were doing what they were doing," said Jenny. "Everyone came and left with a smile; they all seemed like they wanted to be there and help however they could."

All in all, Jenny had a great experience with BellaNova Women's Health.

"BellaNova was always willing to do what I needed done; they made it personal for me," said Jenny.

  

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