Despite the many ways that
COVID-19 has turned life
upside down, what hasn’t
changed is the enormous
capacity for understanding
and sensitivity the OB team
at the CalvertHealth Family
Birth Center feel for the women
who deliver there. And it is
something new moms tell us
they appreciate the most.
“The nurses are so personable,” said Rachel Crim
of Lusby. “You make a connection in the short
amount of time you’re there and that is just so
important. It’s such a big time in your life … a lifealtering
time.”
Crim said she especially liked how the nurses
kept her informed. “I’m a patient who needs
to know what is happening,” said the secondgrade
teacher. “The nurses were really good
at explaining everything. I felt like I was very
knowledgeable about what the next steps were.”
‘They Were on Top of It’
Even with an extremely busy birth center, Crim
said the nurses were very responsive to her needs.
“I know it sounds really small but anytime my
water pitcher was empty, even without me saying
anything they would already bring a full one back
in,” said Crim.
“The entire post-partum unit was filled but
they were always on top of things,” she added. “As
a nursing mother, you feel like you could drink a
river. I just felt like every time I turned around, it
was replenished and thought of … especially when
your husband or whoever you are with can’t leave
to get it for you.”
Extra safety precautions put in place at
CalvertHealth Family Birth Center during the
pandemic included limiting one approved visitor
for mothers during their stay. Visitors may not
switch out and are required to remain in the
patient room at all times.
Knowing What to Expect
Brandi Campbell of Benedict said
talking to her obstetrician,
Dr. Michelle Johnson, ahead of time
about what to expect made a big
difference for her. “I truly feel like
that helped a lot,” she said. “I knew
going in we’d have to wear masks
and, of course, all of our caretakers
would be, as well.”
She went on to add, “The overall
experience was fantastic, actually.
Again, knowing what to expect takes
a lot of weight off your shoulders.
And everyone (at the birth center) is
so real … they talk to you and they
let you know what’s going on.”
Campbell said the first day
after her C-section she was feeling
very nauseous and dizzy. “The
nurses were so attentive when I told
them what my issues were and were
so patient.”
She was also impressed with the
extra attention given to cleanliness.
“With COVID looming, I was really
grateful for the sanitation and the masks and sterile clothing.”
Although her daughter needed
to be flown out to the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit at MedStar
Georgetown University Hospital
for respiratory issues, Campbell
said she appreciated how the
CalvertHealth staff kept her in the
loop on what was being done to take
care of her.
A Chance to Really Bond
Crim said not having visitors turned
out to be the best part of her stay.
“I think Stephan (her husband)
and I would both agree it allowed us
time to bond with Paisley before we
brought her home and gave us that
alone time we wouldn’t have gotten
before.
“Honestly, with our next baby
and COVID is gone, I probably won’t
have visitors,” she said. “It was
so rewarding and allowed us to
connect and to have that moment
together without a lot of other
people.”
Planning Ahead Is Essential
“I would encourage expectant moms to
talk to your OB,” said Campbell. “Ask all
your questions beforehand because when
you get there that day it’s game on. That
way you do have a better mindset of what
to expect and you’ll be better prepared.
“And make sure to pack as many
comfort items as you can think of,” added
the 40-year-old hairdresser. “For me, it’s
my favorite feather pillow and sweet tea.”
“We share the frustration and
disappointment so many feel about how
the pandemic has impacted their plans
for labor and birth,” said Dr. Johnson.
“But I want to reassure our patients that
CalvertHealth OB/GYN is committed to
working with the team at the family birth
center to provide the safest and best birth
experience possible.”