My labor was slow and irregular, causing us to wonder if it was the real thing or the Braxton Hicks contractions I had been having a lot recently. My midwife suggested I try to take a bath to see if they calmed down. During the bath my contractions picked up in regularity and intensity. I got out and told my husband we needed to go. Our wish was to have a water birth at the birth center. We got into the truck and called the midwife, and I let her know. I was now questioning, will we make it? (It’s 3:48 p.m.) While on the phone driving down the highway, we were set with the question, do we turn to the hospital or try to make it there. We got to the interstate and decided there was no way we would make it there. (It’s 3:56 p.m.) Onto Albert Lea we went. We arrive at 4:10 p.m., and my husband helps me up to the floor where I was met by the amazing nurses. My husband went to park the car. I knew delivery was imminent, but I knew I was in good hands now and wouldn’t have the baby in the car. Before my husband even got back up to the floor to me, the baby was already here. (At 4:17 p.m.)

Why do I write this? I was fortunate to have Albert Lea as an option to drive to. I was fortunate to have such amazing staff who helped me under a lot of pressure. I ended up losing a lot more blood than I should and they were there to administer to me two doses of medication to help the hemorrhaging. If we did not have Albert Lea as the nearby option, I would have been in the truck still, with a delivered baby and losing this blood without aide. That is a scary thought as our outcome could have been very unfortunate. I’m extremely grateful that our story ends with healthy mom and healthy baby. Thank you to the Baby Place for your wonderful work. Each one of you had exceptional care during my stay. Extremely knowledgeable and wonderful bedside manner.

Stefanie Loverink

Hollandale