Megan Lewis sits on a hospital bed and holds her daughter, both are smiling

Megan Lewis had a healthy pregnancy and was looking forward to holding her daughter Olivia the minute she was born, but during her labour she developed a fever, her contractions slowed and her baby went into distress.

MSH staff and physicians came together to treat the baby and assist mom. The umbilical cord was wrapped around Olivia’s neck and for 10 very long seconds, she didn’t cry. Then, due to other complications, Olivia was sent immediately to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for further evaluation and care.

“I was so thankful that my baby had begun to cry and that she was in the best possible care after having such a stressful delivery, but heartbroken that I couldn’t hold her when she was born,” says Megan.

“I KNEW WE WERE GETTING THE BEST CARE AND I TRUSTED OUR MEDICAL TEAM COMPLETELY.”

Due to her fever, Megan wasn’t able to visit Olivia in the NICU but the nurses included her husband in Olivia’s care and he visited her at every opportunity.

“This was by far the most difficult part of my experience,” Megan reveals. “I was so desperate to hold my new baby but had to wait until my body was well enough.”

After two long days of careful monitoring, Megan was well enough to hold her baby girl.

“My husband and I walked into the NICU and we both held our baby for the very first time. We looked down at our newest family member and the sheer joy, relief and love that we felt was indescribable.”

You can other patient stories like Megan’s in our 2018/19 Year in Review.