Stories of HopeHow Beautiful Birth Can Be
Posted on: Nov 09, 2017Already a mother of two, Kim Laakso was well prepared for the arrival of another child. Even though her original birth plan fell through her care team at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women made sure she was able to...
Already a mother of two, Kim Laakso was well prepared for the arrival of a child that would make their family a party of five.
As in the past, Kim and her husband had a birth plan in place. They had plans to have a home birth, plans to use a midwife, plans for a doula, and for a birth photographer to be involved. A doula herself, Kim and her family strongly believe in the importance of a fully supported birth and hoped their third would be free from medical intervention.
Part way through the pregnancy their intervention-free birth plan started to feel like it was slipping away. After being referred to the Lois Hole Hospital for Women by her midwife it was discovered that Kim had placenta previa – a condition where the placenta lies too close to the cervix. After a short stay at the hospital, Kim was able to return home to await the arrival of her little one but not for long. Unfortunately, she awoke at home in the middle of the night with the sensation of her water breaking. While her water did not break, she was brought back to the Lois Hole Hospital, where she was told she would need to stay for the remainder of her pregnancy.
"To all of those who made our dreams a reality, those who heard the words we said and the unspoken words of our hearts...thank you!”
Kim Laakso, patient, Lois Hole Hospital for Women
With her husband and two children at home outside of the city, Kim no longer had her carefully-curated support team by her side. She knew that she needed to make a new birth plan, but was worried about how different it would be from their original plan.
A meeting with Dr. Heather Robinson, Kim’s obstetrician, was set to discuss their new birth plan. They feared that their requests would be met with many no’s. To their happy surprise, Kim and her husband had their hopes met with “yes”. Hearing yes from Dr. Robinson and the hospital staff gave Kim and her husband confidence in their new birth plan.
When it came time to bring her son into the world, Kim and Dr. Robinson were joined in the delivery room by her birth photographer and her best birth companion, her husband.
Working with families to ensure they are able to birth in the way they had hoped for is something staff and physicians at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women take very seriously.
“Priority is given to providing safe, quality care to patients and families acknowledging that each patient has unique circumstances and wishes for her birth and hospital stay; our patient care teams work to ensure sensitive, respectful and family-centered care for all. We appreciate that the journey is often exciting and full of emotion, particularly when plans don’t go exactly as expected,” shared Janie Clink, Executive Director of the Lois Hole Hospital for Women.
“Our patient care teams work to ensure sensitive, respectful and family-centered care for all. We appreciate that the journey is often exciting and full of emotion, particularly when plans don’t go exactly as expected.”
While her son’s birth was not as she had originally planned, having Laramie, her birth photographer, in the delivery room made all the difference.
“When I see these pictures, I don't see the medical, I don't see the intervention. I see and I feel love, respect, and gratitude. That is all I had ever really hoped for. To all of those who made our dreams a reality, those who heard the words we said and the unspoken words of our hearts...thank you!” shared Kim.
Kim formed a special bond with Dr. Robinson, who listened to her hopes and requests and made them a reality. In one of the photos that Laramie of Laramie Tracz Photography took, Dr. Robinson is helping Kim’s son. Kim was so grateful to have that moment captured, as it was Dr. Robinson’s incredible love and support that kept both her and her son safe.
“So often hospitals are surrounded by negative stories. I want to share this story to give the Royal Alexandra Hospital credit. We were so lucky to have that hospital and Dr. Robinson, as well the nurses who took such great care of us.”
“So often hospitals are surrounded by negative stories. I want to share this story to give the Royal Alexandra Hospital credit. We were so lucky to have that hospital and Dr. Robinson, as well the nurses who took such great care of us.”
