Every Step of the Way

  • Winter 2020

Amy Verhelst

Sioux Valley Kindergarten Teacher Amy Verhelst and her husband, Jon, were grateful for the expertise, compassion, and understanding displayed by Brookings Health’s team every step of the way during the birth of their first child, Cameron. 

At over 40 weeks, Amy and Jon were induced on a Thursday evening by OBGYN Dr. Kirstin Sholes. Amy was administered medicine overnight to start labor. In the morning, Dr. Sholes arrived to assess Amy’s progress. She gave Amy Pitocin, a synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin that causes contractions, to spur on labor. But when labor didn’t progress as planned, Dr. Sholes told Amy and Jon they needed to seriously consider a C-section for Cameron’s safety.

It was a scary time for Amy and Jon. Amy had shared with Dr. Sholes a fear to deliver Cameron by Caesarean section, the option she now faced. Showing compassion, Dr. Sholes gave Amy and Jon the time and space to talk, understanding how difficult the decision was for them.

“That meant a lot,” said Amy. “I needed to prepare myself for what was about to happen.”

In addition, the other health care staff also supported Amy and Jon. 

“My husband and I can’t say enough good things about the nurses and everybody that we interacted with,” said Amy. “Even the anesthesiologist who was part of our process when I got my epidural and then obviously getting ready for the C-section, he held my hand in the elevator because Jon couldn’t fit in with us. He was supporting me and coaching me through it. He was only there for that short amount of time, but he was giving me all of his support and care.”

The OB nurses who had been with Amy prior to the C-section also stayed by her side in the OR, helping her to remain calm and reassuring her everything was going to be okay. 

“They just cared,” said Amy. “It wasn’t just a procedure to them, in and out. They were there making sure I was supported and comforted during that traumatic 
and scary time.”

Cameron was born at 3:32 p.m., and even though their birth experience didn’t follow Amy and Jon’s labor plans, they were grateful to be in the care of such wonderful hands at Brookings Health.

“They are going to be there every step of the way to help you and to explain things to you,” said Amy. “And they’re going to care about you and they’re going to make you feel comfortable, even when it’s not a comfortable thing happening.”

Learn more about our obstetrics services and watch Amy’s full birth story at brookingshealth.org/AmyV