Providing Expert Support and Comforting Care For Every Pregnancy [Abby Heidenreich]

I am Abby Heidenreich. I am originally from the Aberdeen area. I went to college at SDSU, and then my husband and I bounced around a little bit after that, but we settled back in Brookings almost two years ago. I work from home as an underwriter for NAU Country Insurance. 

Why did you choose Brookings Health System for delivery?

I wanted to be close to home so I didn't want to have to drive an hour while I was in labor or an hour for my appointments. I wanted to be able to schedule them during my lunch break, and, honestly, we have a great facility here. I wanted to take advantage of that, and it was really nice to be able to come to the hospital, not have to worry about it. Even to just get checked before I even thought I was in labor, it's like I just wanted it to be right here three blocks away from my house.

How was your first delivery?

So I had my first daughter in Oklahoma, and they had a shortage of nurses, so they were bringing in nurses from the emergency room department and other departments of the hospital. So I wanted my nurses to be knowledgeable, know exactly what they were doing, have experience, and I wanted them to be there as soon as I pushed the call button. I didn't want them to be, "Hey, I'll be there in 5, 10 minutes." I needed them now, that's why I'm calling you. 

How did delivery at Brookings Health System compare to your previous delivery?

It was amazing. Everyone was there in an instant as soon as I pushed the call button. They knew exactly what they needed to do. They were helpful right from the start. I came in to get checked right before I thought I was in labor, and they were reassuring. They were like, "Yes, you are in labor. You probably don't need to be here yet, so go home, rest, come back in the morning," and that's exactly what I needed.

What was your impression of Dr. Haarsma?

She was fantastic. She is very laid-back, very easy to talk to. She told me right from the start, "This is your experience. You can choose how you want to do this," and she explained everything, and being a second-time mom, you kind of don't really expect that. You should just know what you're doing, but she told me every appointment what we were going to do in the next appointment. She explained my birth options and basically gave me the reins on how I wanted to do things, so she was great.

How did the staff support you and your husband?

They were really great with both of us. They were there if we needed them, but they gave us the appropriate amount of space to labor and be together during this process. They were always asking, "Do you need anything?" If we didn't, they'd say, "Can I at least fill your water?" or anything like that, "Can I get you something from the family room or anything?" So they were really great with supporting the both of us. It wasn't just me. It was also my husband.

What did you appreciate most about your care?

I appreciated that they really cared about me as the mom. It wasn't just about the baby. It was, "How are you doing?" Or when they came in the room, it wasn't just, "How's the baby doing?" They really cared about how I was feeling and how I was progressing and how I was after I had the baby. And even after at the appointment where they check on the baby to see if they're gaining weight, it was, "How are you doing mom?" and, "Is there anything that we can do to help you?" I really, really appreciated that as being the mom that doesn't really usually get the care that they need.

How was your postpartum recovery?

Compared to my first baby, this recovery has been fantastic. I felt like myself a lot sooner. My recovery was a lot faster. There were a couple hiccups along the way, but I talked with my care team, and they got me what I needed. Whether it was before my six-week appointment or even after now, there was a couple things and sent a message, and they were more than willing to help me. It's been really great.

Did you feel supported by Baby Café Breastfeeding Support Group?

The Baby Café is the best resource that you could have. I really wish I would have had that for my first baby. I didn't have any resources. I had my mother-in-law who is a labor and delivery nurse, and she was the only resource that I had, so having the Baby Café is great. I mean, they watch you... They would sit there and watch you the entire feed if you wanted them to, which is just fantastic, and it's the best resource. The lactation consultants really got us through the first couple weeks of breastfeeding. They are the best, and even seeing all the other moms there that are using that resource, it just makes you feel really happy that we have that here.

What advice do you give new mothers?

I would like to tell new moms to go into their labor experience without any expectations. Sometimes you can have a birth plan, and it can go completely off the rails in an instant. It's great to have it, but just be open-minded, and your baby will get out. 

What would you tell someone considering delivery at Brookings Health System?

I would tell them to take a tour and get a feel for the environment. It really doesn't feel like a hospital. It feels more like a hotel room, I mean, as much as a hospital room can feel like a hotel room. The nurses are great. The whole hospital is great. It's just a really great environment to be in, and I don't know why you would go an hour away for care when we have something like this here.

Are you one of Brookings Health System's grateful patients who would like to give back to us? Learn more about how you can give back at brookingshealth.org/MyThanks.