Welcoming baby: Surrounded by a family of labor and delivery experts
For Danielle Bahe’s first two pregnancies, conception required methodical planning of every element. In fact, her first pregnancy, conceived via artificial insemination needed specific timing down to the minute.
“I had to get my eggs checked, start taking medicines at a certain day, do a shot at a certain time — the works,” Danielle remembered.
So, when Danielle began experiencing sciatic nerve pain — her personal tell-tale sign of pregnancy — she found it alarming and odd.
“I thought it so weird that my nerve pain flared up. That only happens when I’m pregnant. This third little baby snuck up on us — and we didn’t know that could even happen,” Danielle said.
Surprise! Your wish came true!
When Danielle initially read her at-home pregnancy test, it appeared negative, but by the time she had tucked her little ones in bed, faint lines had surfaced.
“I remember that I hadn’t slept in months, my second son was only 10 months old, and I was not feeling ready to have another newborn. There was some panic there,” Danielle said. “On the other hand, my husband was like, ‘Awesome! We haven’t been able to get pregnant on our own. You’ve always wanted a surprise baby!’”
Danielle’s wish came true. She was 100 percent surprised and 100 percent pregnant!
As the initial shock faded and the excitement bubbled up, Danielle and her husband realized they were actually quite prepared for another baby — they already had the equipment and gear, they had a baby name picked out, they had the perfect midwife to assist in delivery, and they knew which hospital they wanted to deliver at.
Choosing a compassionate, community feel for delivery
For Danielle’s first pregnancy and delivery, she attended a hospital facility with a high-risk maternal fetal medicine department. For her second pregnancy, she delivered at Brigham City Community Hospital. Danielle had felt the difference and gained a strong opinion of which she preferred.
“I didn’t feel important at the first hospital,” Danielle said. “At Brigham City Community Hospital, the nurses would come in to check on me all the time. If I was sleeping, they would be careful not to disturb me and they’d help with my baby so I could get some sleep. They were so sweet and affectionate toward me. I knew I wanted to deliver at Brigham City Community Hospital again.”
As for a who would deliver her baby, Danielle knew Annie Overson, midwife and nurse practitioner with MountainStar Medical Group, offered the perfect combination of compassion and skill. Annie had also supported Danielle during her second pregnancy and delivery.
“When I see Annie, I feel like I’m seeing my best friend. She loves me and my children so much that I know she would do anything for us. I feel like I’m the most important person to her — and I love her for that,” Danielle said.
A bump along the pregnancy road
Although Danielle’s pregnancy happened naturally and her baby grew with strength and health, a bump did show up along their pregnancy journey. At 20 weeks gestation, Danielle was diagnosed with placenta previa. That means, the placenta (which provides oxygen and nutrition to the baby and removes waste from the baby) lies low in the uterus and covers the mother’s cervix (the outlet for the uterus). Placenta previa comes with a greater risk for bleeding during pregnancy and delivery, putting mother and baby in danger.
“My sister had a baby only 6 months before me, and she almost died during delivery because of placenta previa. So, we were really freaked out by the diagnosis,” Danielle shared.
Due to placenta previa, Danielle’s midwife, Annie, advised Danielle to avoid exerting herself and to shun any heavy lifting. She wasn’t placed on official bed rest but needed to take extra rest and caution. Thankfully, by week 30 of Danielle’s pregnancy, the placenta corrected itself naturally.
Delivering joy
At 3 a.m. on Dec. 18, contractions woke Danielle. She could tell this would be the day for delivering her new baby boy. After a calming bath, she and her husband arrived at Brigham City Community Hospital, greeted by her compassionate, skilled labor and delivery team.
The delivery went smoothly. Any stress and worry leading up to the moment was replaced with an indescribable, overwhelming joy. Baby Oliver Mark Bahe entered the world at 9:30 a.m., weighing 7 lbs. 4 oz. and measuring 20 inches long.
“We had been so scared of placenta previa, and this was first labor and delivery with just me and my husband in the room. Plus, I was freaking out right before he was born and crying because of the pain. Honestly, that was the most anxious we had ever been in delivery, so after he arrived, both my husband and I were crying so much as we held our new baby. All the anxiousness was suddenly gone and there he was. It was amazing,” Danielle said.
Picture perfect: Community facility, compassionate care and feeling like family
With the climactic moment of delivery complete, Danielle looked back and identified a singular characteristic that made all the difference in her delivery day: family-like love.
“At Brigham City Community Hospital, I was surrounded by nurses who were like my family — that’s how it felt. They were there to cry with me and cheer me on because that baby was equally important to them. My midwife took my camera and took pics of my husband and I as we met him. It was like I had some aunts, a mom, cousins, and a photographer all in the room — and really they were all the staff at the hospital,” Danielle said.
Today, Oliver is a healthy, busy 10-month-old who constantly strives to catch up with his older brothers. To his mother’s relief, Oliver continues to prove himself as a great sleeper! He’s also cheerful and adventurous, and views Mom as his best friend.