Dec 7, 2021 Reporting from Niles, MI
Family-first approach - Ellie Topinka
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/how-we-compare/our-patients/Detail/a-family-first-approach/?utm_source=Family-first_approach&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Dec 7, 2021
Dec 7, 2021
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
New Year’s Eve 2020, Benton Harbor residents Ellie and Jordan Topinka were overjoyed to learn they would be welcoming their first child into their family. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still underway, they also knew they would need to take ext
Family-first approach - Ellie Topinka
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/ResourcePackages/SpectrumHealth/assets/img/sh_white_logo.png
Family-first approach - Ellie Topinka
Dec, 2021
Physicians: certified midwife, Lorel Yoder, CNM
New Year’s Eve 2020, Benton Harbor residents Ellie and Jordan Topinka were overjoyed to learn they would be welcoming their first child into their family. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still underway, they also knew they would need to take extra precautions throughout Ellie’s pregnancy to keep both her and their new baby safe.
“Our family chose to do everything we could to fight against COVID-19─washing our hands often, wearing masks in public, and limiting ourselves from large group settings as much as possible,” said Ellie. “It really became a time for us to enjoy being outdoors together. We spent a lot of time in our backyard and walking through our neighborhood and on local nature trails.”
As the COVID-19 vaccine became available in early 2021, the couple began researching and discussing whether they wanted to get vaccinated.
“We did research on our own and had conversations with my care team at BellaNova Women’s Health,” said Ellie. “I never felt pressured. I felt empowered and educated to make the right choice for our family.”
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage all pregnant people, people who are thinking about becoming pregnant, and those breastfeeding to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19. The risk of severe illness and complications related to COVID-19 infection are increased among pregnant people, making vaccination for this population even more important.
At 22 weeks pregnant, Ellie received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and experienced minimal side effects. Even after both she and Jordan were fully vaccinated, they continued to take precautions against the virus throughout the remainder of her pregnancy.
“It was reassuring for me to know that the antibodies I would be getting from the vaccine would also be passed down to my child,” said Ellie.
As Ellie reached her 30-week milestone, she and her husband took a guided tour through the BirthPlace at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. Ellie met with lactation consultant, Denise Lenardson, RN, who discussed breastfeeding options and provided Ellie with techniques and recommendations specific to her body.
“It was great to leave feeling more confident and even more excited for our delivery,” said Ellie.
Nearing one week until her due date, Ellie began to feel uncomfortable. The baby had dropped to a lower position, and she was feeling more pressure and swelling throughout her body. Over the next two days it continued to increase.
As her contractions intensified, the Topinkas decided it was time to drive to the emergency department at Lakeland Medical Center. After being admitted, they met with the care team at the BirthPlace which included labor and delivery nurses, Jenna File, RN, and Grace Rock, RN, and certified midwife, Lorel Yoder, CNM.
Jenna encouraged Ellie to walk throughout the hallways to help induce labor. Within the hour Ellie had progressed to four centimeters dilated.
“My midwife, Lorel, came in to discuss my birthing plan and pain management choices,” said Ellie. “It was reassuring to know she wanted to make sure I felt comfortable and in charge of my care.”
As Ellie reached five centimeters dilated, she requested an epidural.
“I think I was more nervous about the epidural than the actual delivery,” said Ellie. “But the nurse anesthetist was so confident and calming—I had nothing to worry about. It was over quickly and within 30 minutes I was feeling relief and could finally rest.”
While waiting for labor to progress, Ellie was startled by her care team's urgent response to an alarm coming from a heart rate monitor. Her baby’s heart rate had dropped drastically and her nurses quickly moved into action to reposition Ellie onto all fours, which allowed the baby’s heart rate to return to normal level. A short while later, the baby’s heart dropped once more. Her care team again quickly repositioned her and placed an internal fetal monitor to ensure the baby was safe.
“Grace was by my side, and it felt like having a supportive friend with me,” said Ellie. “She was amazing.”
As Ellie approached ten centimeters dilated, she noticed that she could feel her contractions. Her epidural was wearing off and she had progressed so far there would be no time for additional pain management.
“Since I could start to feel the contractions, Lorel told me to let her know when I was ready to push,” said Ellie. “It allowed me to be in control of the situation and my body’s response."
Ellie was fully dilated and ready to begin pushing.
“There came a point where I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore,” said Ellie. “Lorel told me to just give one more good push and my baby would be out. And with that one push our baby arrived.”
At 1:56 AM on August 31, 2021, the Topinkas welcomed their baby boy, Chandler.
The family is enjoying their time at home together as a healthy family of three.
As the journey continues with the fight against COVID-19, Ellie encourages all expecting parents to make the decisions that are best for their family.
“There’s no perfect time to have a baby—and being pregnant during COVID-19 certainly comes with difficulties and added stress,” said Ellie. “But if it’s something that you truly want, it can still be a beautiful, healthy, and a fulfilling time for you and your family.”