Queen’s Journey to Motherhood: Part 3
Part 3 of a video series as patient Queen talks about her journey to become a mother.
Placental Abruption Scare – Laci’s Pregnancy Story
A placental abruption and a breech baby were not what Laci had in mind when she and her husband Luke began trying for a baby. At that point, Laci had faced a devastating journey of miscarriages, yet she remained determined to make their dreams come true. Laci visited Cherokee Women’s Health to seek answers on what was causing her miscarriages. Cherokee Women’s Health Discovers the Cause of Laci’s Miscarriages Through hormone testing, her doctor discovered she had MTFHR, also known as hyperhomocysteinemia. It’s a condition where homocysteine levels are elevated. High homocysteine levels, coupled with low folic acid levels, can lead to pregnancy complications, including miscarriages. With this discovery, Laci’s prenatal vitamins were adjusted, and she was started on progesterone. Pregnant with Rainbow Baby Girl A few months later, Laci was pregnant with her rainbow baby girl! “Advocating for myself was a big thing after my miscarriages. I couldn’t sit there and let myself go into depression. I wanted to find out more about my body and learn about myself.” – Laci shares about her infertility journey Fetal Change Scare at 36 Weeks Laci had a smooth pregnancy — up until 36 weeks — when she started to notice her baby not moving as much. She was hesitant to share her concerns because she could still feel her baby move, just not as much. Also, Laci found herself having high anxiety with each ultrasound appointment due to her past of hearing bad news. Laci knew she had to speak up, so she explained her worries to her doctor. Dr. Lisa McLeod performed a stress test. It was during that test that she noticed the baby’s heart rate was sporadic. Dr. McLeod sent Laci to the hospital for further monitoring. Laci shared, “I started having anxiety during the stress test, so I thought that I was causing the test to go a little bit crazy. But Dr. McLeod said that there may be something going on and she needed to send me to Labor and Delivery at Northside Hospital Cherokee in Canton. I’m very thankful that I spoke up and that Dr. McLeod was there for me.” Further Evaluation Leads to Delivery at Hospital Once Laci and Luke arrived at the hospital, Dr. James Haley began to monitor her and run more tests. “When we were sent to the hospital that day, and I saw Dr. Haley was on call, I just felt at peace. I looked at my husband, and I said, if they want to take the baby today, I’m at peace with that because I had been praying that Dr. Haley would be the one to deliver our baby anyway.” – Laci recalls being grateful that Dr. Haley would be delivering her baby All of Laci’s tests came back normal, she had no pain or bleeding, and everything appeared to be fine. Dr. Haley continued monitoring the baby’s movements and started to discuss Laci going home. Although there were no obvious worrisome signs on the fetal monitor, Dr. Haley had a gut feeling that things were not quite right. He decided to keep Laci in the hospital and monitor her longer. When he was unable to feel reassured with the baby, he felt it best to proceed with delivery. Laci revealed about her discussion with Dr. Haley, “I remember asking Dr. Haley, “Do you have peace about sending me home? Or do you have peace about delivery?” He replied, “I don’t have peace about sending you home, but I’ve got peace about going ahead and getting you delivered.” And so that’s what we did!” Breech Baby and Placental Abruption During Dr. Haley’s evaluation, it was determined the baby was in a breech to transverse position, and therefore a C-section would be the safest option for delivery. At the time of the C-section, it was discovered that she had a placental abruption. Placental abruption is when a portion of the placenta shears off from its attachment to the uterine lining resulting in loss of blood and oxygen to the baby. It can readily lead to the death of the baby and serious problems for the mother. Within minutes, Dr. Haley and the team had everything under control and Laci and her baby were out of danger. After this life-threatening emergency, Laci and Luke were able to welcome her healthy baby girl, Livian Joan, into the world. Baby Livian Joan was named after Laci’s mother-in-law and grandmother, and Joan means, ‘God is gracious’, so her name carries even a bigger meaning after her scary entrance into the world. Grateful for Dr. Haley and Cherokee Women’s Health Sharing more about her experience, Laci added, “Dr. Haley has a light about him, and I could feel he has a good heart. I fully trusted him and that gave me peace to deliver that day. It takes a while to build trust with a doctor over time, but there are some doctors when they walk in the room, you know you can trust them, and Dr. Haley is one of them.” – Laci’s gratitude toward Dr. Haley Laci goes on to say, “I believe everyone at Cherokee Women’s could have handled it, but Dr. Haley handled it with such grace. There are so many bad outcomes with placental abruptions. God was there through it all. I’m so thankful for Dr. Haley for making that call to deliver because we were so close to going home, and it may not have turned out the way it did.”
Sick During Delivery – Chelsea’s Pregnancy Story
Cherokee Women’s Health patient, Chelsea, delivered her first baby boy and candidly shares her personal pregnancy and labor journey. Chelsea is a rock star and shows, once again, that women can do anything! Induced with First Baby I was induced with my first baby, Piper, where I had a long, painful and unpleasant experience. I wanted so badly to be able to work closely with my midwives to do all we could to have this baby without being induced. They reassured me that if there was anything slightly concerning or if I end up needing an ultrasound, they could arrange it at the hospital. Real Contractions or Braxton-Hicks ? I was 39 weeks and five days pregnant and around noon on a Monday, I began experiencing cramping, which I assumed were Braxton-Hicks contractions. I timed them and they were 6-8 minutes apart and they kept happening so the possibility that they were real contractions definitely crossed my mind. The cramps were uncomfortable but not painful, so I proceeded to go about my day playing with Piper and doing chores. Staying busy, I barely noticed them so I continued to tell myself they were not real contractions. As the discomfort grew, I drank extra water, took a shower and layed down to see if they would go away. They slowed down but continued. I barely mentioned it to anyone, not even my husband Caleb. I was in complete denial. After I put Piper to bed, I watched a movie with my dad and grandma and continued timing the contractions. They were 30-40 seconds long and 5-6 minutes apart for one hour. At 10 pm that night, they were intensifying and I think I started to realize that these were in fact, real contractions. These Contractions are Real I assumed I would go past my due date so I wasn’t fully prepared to have a baby that night. I started getting ready just in case. I thought I had at least until the next day but I kept preparing. I threw in Piper’s laundry, finished packing the hospital bag, and got things ready for Piper’s grandmas to watch her. At 11 pm that night, I crawled into bed and was extremely uncomfortable. I told Caleb that I was having contractions. We timed them and they were 4 minutes apart. I got up and got in the shower. I draped myself over the yoga ball because I was too tired to stand and it hurt to sit. The hot water on my back felt great but nothing dulled the contractions at this point. I got out of the shower and called the on-call midwife at Cherokee Women’s. The contractions were back-to-back and often less than 3 minutes apart. “Oh honey, you’re having a baby tonight. It’s time to come in and see us.” – The on-call midwife at Cherokee Women’s I started panicking a little. I changed the laundry and then went to wake up Caleb. He started gathering things and I went to let my mom know. I asked my mom, “What if this isn’t labor and they send me home?” She said, “So what! It will be okay.” “But what if this is really labor and they don’t send me home?” I asked. She laughed, “Then you’ll have your baby!” These questions may not make much sense but the realization was setting in and I was honestly a little scared. Having My Baby at Northside Hospital We drove to Northside Hospital Cherokee, where the intensity of the contractions quickly increased. While checking in, I could not sit down. Once in the room I changed and went to the bathroom where I saw that I had lost my mucus plug and had what is called a “bloody show.” That’s when I knew I wasn’t going home. When the nurse checked me, I was only dilated to 3 centimeters, and they decided to have me stay. They started me on antibiotics because I was GBS+. GBS (group B strep disease) is a common bacteria that is present in one quarter of pregnant women. You can be positive with one pregnancy and negative with another. There is no way to cause or prevent it and it’s not harmful to the mom, but can be harmful for the baby. The goal of the doctor and nurse were to have two rounds of antibiotics given before the baby arrived. I grew incredibly uncomfortable and needed to get out of bed. They wanted to monitor the baby for 15 minutes before I moved around. Once that time was up nothing could keep me sitting there. My body ached with each contraction. There was barely a moment in between each of them, making it hard to function. I asked to get into the tub and I sat in there for five minutes. It felt great but at some point that didn’t even help. Epidural, Please! Caleb stood behind me and tried different pressure points on my back and hips to try and help me through. This is when I told them I wanted the epidural as soon as possible. I could no longer catch my breath because the contractions would not stop. As one would end the next would begin. We had been there for only 45 minutes at this point. I couldn’t stop shaking. They checked me and I was 6 centimeters dilated. They told me I was shaking because my body was dilating so fast. I couldn’t stay lying down so I spent the time waiting for the epidural as I leaned on Caleb or the bed. I’m Scared, I Can’t Do It! I remember telling my wonderful nurse to shut up at one point. I think she was explaining something to me in the middle of a contraction. I was definitely not my most pleasant. But Mandy, my nurse, was so good at centering me and reminding me to breathe. Caleb was such a rock star too and super supportive. “I’m scared. I can’t
What to Expect After Delivery
OB/GYN Dr. Lisa McLeod explains what to expect after delivery. Watch more OB videos below.
Hospital “Home Birth”? Yes, You Can!
Can you have a “home birth” in a hospital? Yes, you can! As OB/GYNs, we help deliver a home birth experience while in the safety of a hospital. It’s the best of both worlds. We Want You to Have the Best “Home Delivery” Experience in a Hospital Home births have become increasingly popular among expectant moms, especially since the pandemic. Approximately 1% of all U.S. births are delivered at home, and statistics show that number is on the rise. But for the safety of pregnant moms and their babies, an “at home style” delivery in the hospital is the preferred option by OB/GYNs, especially by the doctors at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists. The doctors and midwives at Cherokee Women’s Health work together with you as a team to accommodate your individual birth plan. The state-of-the-art facility at Northside Hospital Cherokee has a top-notch Women’s Center and a Level 3 NICU. We are fully equipped and ready for any dangers that arise, but ultimately, we desire to give you the closest type of birth possible to what you would experience at home. We believe each pregnant mother is special and deserves individualized family centered care. There are many options for a labor experience, and we will make every attempt to accommodate your preferences to make your labor desires come to fruition. It’s your body, your baby, and your birth – so we want and expect you to have your best experience for your pregnancy journey and birth. Why Should You Deliver in a Hospital? The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology firmly states that the safest option for mom and baby are in a hospital or birthing center. The American Academy of Pediatrics concurs that babies are best born in the hospital to ensure the safest and healthiest outcome. The health and safety of mom and baby are of upmost priority — so taking the necessary precautions by being in a hospital are recommended by experienced doctors. James Haley, MD, FACOG, FPMRS of Cherokee Women’s Health has delivered nearly 10,000 babies during his career as an OB/GYN. He shares candidly about the dangers of home births: “We work together with expectant mothers to make all of the best plans for how a delivery will go. Childbirth, as we know, doesn’t always go smoothly or as planned. Occasionally, a medical crisis arises that causes the entire team of doctors and nurses to jump into immediate action, work together like nothing you’ve ever seen — all to get that baby out in 2-3 minutes to save its life, while also trying to take care of the mother and keep her safe. I have personally seen hundreds of babies that would have died, had the patient not been at the hospital just at that moment.” – Dr. James Haley on the importance of delivering in a hospital Preparing For Your “At Home Style” Delivery No one can tell you what your birth experience will be like, but we can help you feel prepared, confident, and ready for the birth of your baby. At Cherokee Women’s, we have an OB patient VIP program for all newly pregnant mothers, where you are given the opportunity to have all your questions answered and are given all the information you need to guide you throughout your pregnancy journey. You can create your own birth plan, unique to you and your wishes. We check on you often throughout your pregnancy – in addition to all the regular visits, to make sure that your pregnancy and birth plan are meeting your expectations. For those that opt for a natural birth, we offer unmedicated births. Our medical team is very willing to offer intermittent monitoring and variable laboring positions, among the many other requests according to your specialized birth plan. We also have the expertise of one of our physicians, Lisa McLeod, DO, FACOOG, who specializes in osteopathic manipulation to help women in labor and delivery. Her unique obstetrical training in holistic treatment has been valuable to patients wanting a natural approach to childbirth. As part of the planning process, we recommend attending maternity classes at Northside Hospital so that you can learn about the options available to make your childbirth as close to a home birth as possible. You will learn what to expect during delivery and all the options available to make your birthing experience your own. You also can learn what you need to know about breastfeeding, infant CPR, and you will be given answers to your questions through evidence-based education and support. It is important to educate yourself during pregnancy by attending classes, sharing with others who have similar concerns and learning what to expect so that during labor and after birth, you understand what’s going on and can make decisions with your doctors and midwives. Natural Hospital Birth: It Can be Done! You really can have the natural birth you are hoping for even if you must be at the hospital. You can enjoy the experience of working with your body to birth your baby in collaboration with your team of doctors, midwives, and nurses who are there to ensure you have a safe delivery.
Giving Birth at 36 Weeks – Shelbie’s Story
Traveling while pregnant can prove to be a difficult task but moving across the country is an even bigger challenge. Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists patient Shelbie, moved from Arizona back to her hometown in Georgia halfway through her pregnancy. Her husband Tyler, is in the National Guard, and he wanted Shelbie to be surrounded by family while he was away for training. As difficult as the move was, they were confident this was the right decision for their growing family. Shelbie’s friends and family recommended Cherokee Women’s Health, and fortunately, the transition from her past OB/GYN was an easy process. “With all the transitions happening in my life, it was a huge relief to find Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists. It was difficult not having my husband here, but I felt very well cared for throughout the rest of my pregnancy and delivery in Georgia.” – Shelbie Contractions at Just 36 Weeks Shelbie had an overall healthy and safe pregnancy, at least up until her 36-week appointment. It was then Shelbie learned that her blood pressure was elevated, and she was actually having contractions. Shelbie was shocked! She was connected to the monitor, and it was confirmed that her contractions were regular, even though Shelbie couldn’t feel them. While this wasn’t Shelbie’s plan, she was sent to the hospital where she would soon welcome her baby boy. She shares, “I was super worried, especially since I was only 36 weeks, and everything had been fine from the beginning. My son clearly already had a mind of his own!” Shelbie’s doctor monitored her at Northside Hospital Cherokee that night, and then she met with another doctor from Cherokee Women’s the next morning. With her mom by her side, they discussed her preferences and expectations of a vaginal delivery. Her doctor assured her she would do everything in her power to honor her labor preferences while keeping both her and her baby healthy. “I was very grateful for my doctor because she was a calming influence that I needed, especially after the day before and my husband not being there. She listened to my labor expectations and I could tell she truly cared. It was a relief to have her there as my doctor before delivery.” It’s a Baby Boy! Shelbie progressed enough to start pushing, but her baby’s head wasn’t positioned in the best way to come out. Therefore, a vacuum extraction was used to position his head the right way. With no success, her doctor still felt confident she could deliver vaginally. “Then, my doctor reached inside to turn his head with her hands and successfully delivered baby Luca!” My baby came out with his umbilical cord wrapped around him, but fortunately, he was healthy. Luca was welcomed into the world on August 3, weighing 6 lbs., 10 oz. Daddy Meets Baby Luca — Virtually Even though Shelbie’s husband couldn’t be there in person for the delivery of their baby boy, he was able to Facetime through the whole delivery and meet baby Luca a short time after. Now, sweet Luca, Shelbie and Tyler are at home adjusting to their growing family, soaking up all the newborn love! “I was really pleased with everyone at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists. My doctor is caring, calm, truly listens to your needs and is very determined to meet them.” – Shelbie on her experience with Cherokee Women’s Health
Get to Know Dr. McLeod
Dr. Lisa McLeod explains her practice philosophy and why she’s passionate about being an OB/GYN. Read Dr. McLeod’s corresponding article. Watch more GYN and Annual Exams videos below.
Life as a New Mom
As a new mom with a sweet little baby to take care of, you have entered a wonderful season of life. But with all there is to do, it can be easy to forget that you need to take care of yourself, too. After all, you have just gone through tremendous changes, both physically and emotionally. Here are a few tips to help you adjust and thrive to life as a new mom: Get more sleep – Sleep when your baby is sleeping. You need a break, and you need sleep. Everything else can wait. Relax – Do something relaxing whenever you can. For example, try listening to music or reading a book. Eat well – If you hit the comfort food too much, you will feel worse. You don’t need to give up all your “goodies”, but proper nutrition is key to feeling good. Try eating fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, lean meat and not too many simple carbohydrates to help nourish you back to health — and to your pre-pregnancy body. Hydrate – Drinking enough water after pregnancy is very important to keep your body in balance. This is especially true if you are breastfeeding, as dehydration can affect your milk supply. Exercise – You should try to do some physical activity on most days. Walking, weights, and elliptical machines are examples. With this beautiful spring weather, it’s the perfect time to push your baby in the stroller. Make things simple – For example, it is not a sin to use paper plates and plastic cups to make kitchen cleaning easier. Or better yet, have someone else do it if possible. Make your needs known – Don’t be afraid to ask for help. While women are incredible multitaskers, motherhood can be challenging, so help is often needed. Sometimes, if you take it all on yourself, resentment can grow into anger or depression. Be honest – Be open with yourself and others if you are feeling “blue”. Hormones and the life changes of having a baby can be overwhelming. It’s imperative to share these feelings with your doctor. Spend time with friends – Especially with other mothers with babies and children of similar ages, as support is important and encouraging as you experience these new changes. By taking care of your physical and emotional health you will be able enjoy this wonderful time of your life — and be the best possible mom for your new bundle of joy.
April Fools
by Michael Litrel, MD, FACOG, FPMRS The year my sons were seven and ten, I asked for my wife Ann’s help playing an April Fools’ joke on them. Sunrise on the big day found me crawling like a Ninja across the floor of my eldest son Tyler’s bedroom. With barely a sound, I rolled on to my back and shifted my body directly beneath his bed. I took a deep breath, and then, using all my strength, began shaking the entire bed frame. Ann’s timing was perfect. She burst into the bedroom. “Tyler!” she shouted. “Get up! It’s an earthquake – it’s an earthquake! Go downstairs – HURRY!” Tyler hardly moved. “It’s okay, Mom,” he mumbled, still half asleep. “It’s just Dad under my bed.” I was demoralized, with only bruised knees and a scraped back from my efforts. But it was not going to be for nothing. Nursing my wounded pride, I hushed Ann and went to the next room. “Let’s try it on Joseph.” But by the time I had crawled under Joseph’s bed, Ann reported that Joseph was smiling, his eyes closed, pretending to sleep. Luckily, I had prepared a backup trick the night before. I’d slid a rubber band around the kitchen sink nozzle so it would spray as soon as the water came on. It pointed up to the exact spot for dousing whichever of my beloved offspring washed his hands first. Tyler came downstairs still half asleep. “Would you please wash your hands before you eat,” I reminded him. It was hard to hide the eagerness in my voice. I watched Tyler as he came to the sink and reached for the soap. He stopped, looked at the faucet, and yawned. “You know, Dad,” he said with a trace of patronization, “if you use scotch tape, it won’t show as much.” I wasn’t in the mood for advice. “Just be quiet, and let’s wait for Joseph,” I replied testily. “AAUGHH!” screeched Ann. Oops. While I was distracted, Annie had turned on the water. Her pajamas were soaked. I apologized profusely, but Ann was not amused. Well, at least I’d gotten someone. But my real quarry was Tyler. He was just too cocky for his own good. I spent the day mulling it over, playing a few jokes to pass the day. Pregnant patients made the easiest targets. “Gosh, I hope you have two girls’ names picked out.” Or, “Wow, we haven’t had triplets in the practice in four or five years.” Back at home that evening, Tyler wouldn’t fall for anything. I found myself growing amateurish in my desperation. “There’s a spider on your shoulder!” “Your teacher just called. You’re in trouble!” Tyler just rolled his eyes. April Fools was obviously beneath him. Indeed, he hadn’t played a single joke on me all day. I finally gave up and trudged upstairs to bed. Just as Ann and I climbed between the sheets, we were met with an impediment. Tyler had short-sheeted our bed. Ann was dead tired. She began to complain and laugh simultaneously as she stripped the bedcovers to remake the bed. I tried to shush her so Tyler wouldn’t have the satisfaction of knowing his trick had succeeded. But it was too late. I could hear him snickering outside our bedroom door. My mind was unsettled. Although I was tired, I lay awake in bed for a while, unable to sleep. Finally, after some honest introspection, I came to a resolution which allowed me to drift off at last. Just wait ‘til next year. Excerpted from Dr. Litrel and his wife Ann’s book of “he-said, she-said” stories about love and family. A MisMatch Made In Heaven: Surviving True Love, Children, and Other Blessings In Disguise is available in the office, and online at www.createspace.com/4229812
