By Terra Avilla
I had a great week you guys. My oldest Lisa sister gave birth to my niece. A beautiful, chubby, rolley-polley little girl. Lisa delivered her second daughter at Saint Mary’s in Reno, the hospital where she was born, I was born, our youngest sister was born and where I delivered my first-born daughter.
To be fair, Saint Mary’s is a great hospital. However, as I visited my sister in her delivery room, I couldn’t help but think how happy I am that I decided to deliver Elena, my second daughter, here locally at Banner Lassen.
Looking out the window from the hospital room, as I held my niece in Reno this past week, I saw cement and smog. In that moment it became apparent how fortunate I was to give birth to Elena while being able to see all of the beautiful Lassen County landscape. Trees, mountains, a beautiful sunset and sunrise. The Lassen County horizon. My family who drove in from Reno, commented on the deer that were visible from my room. A very unique atmosphere. Intimate and breathtaking.
When I was pregnant with Peach, I was still very new to the area. I didn’t really know anyone and I was adamant about delivering my daughter in the city and hospital where I was born.
Frankie and I made the long commutes for the pre-natal appointments and nine months later I gave birth to Peach, a happy and healthy baby.
At that time, I didn’t really have an opinion, good or bad, about the facility in which I brought Peach into the world. Four years later, when I became pregnant with Elena, Frankie and I decided to that she would be the first Avilla (and Shoupe – my maiden name) to be born in California, moreover to be born here at Banner Lassen Medical hospital. Without a doubt, hands down, one of the best choices I’ve made.
Aside from how wonderful the OBGYN doctors are (Dr. Braats and Dr. Peterson) I want to recognize how amazing the labor and delivery unit is here in our own little corner of the world.
It wasn’t until I was back in another hospital that I could really see the contrast. My first pregnancy, I was a brand new momma, with no other experiences to gauge anything off of.
I can tell you without any hesitation, no matter where I live, I will go out of my way to deliver my next child here at Banner. Those nurses are angels.
The entire experience was something I will cherish for the rest of my life. Frankie and I still discuss how kind and genuine all of the staff were.
Frankie was provided a bed and they checked on him almost as often as they checked on me.
Nurse Jill held my hand as I pushed, smiling at me as I shed tears of joy and of pain. Prior to delivering I was rendered helpless due to the epidural I received. The nurses didn’t leave my side. I will always love them for that.
After I delivered my daughter the level of care and attention I received was outstanding. One of the benefits of delivering in a small town – Elena Pearl was the only baby delivered that day. She and I received full attention from nurses that weren’t even assigned to us.
The nursing staff came in, physically helped lift my tired body up into the bed, paying careful attention to makes sure I was comfortable, as I nursed my newborn daughter. During the hours after delivery I desperately tried to stay awake to tend to Elena. All of the nurses made it apparent that they didn’t mind changing the diapers or rocking her, or adjusting my pillows for the hundredth time so I could get some much-needed sleep.
Those first few hours were a frenzy of joy and pain, but mostly joy. I am so grateful to their staff for that. I tried to shower by myself. I couldn’t stand. Without saying a word the Labor and Delivery nurse stood outside the shower – holding me up – water splashed on her scrubs as I slowly tried to care for myself – she stood there – not moving – supporting me. Thank you guys.
Thank you for making me feel safe. For helping mommas and anxious daddies. For spending hours addressing our concerns. I don’t know how many times I made them check Pearl’s breathing and pulse. They did so happily.
After delivering two babies I can say that there is a special place in heaven for all labor and delivery nurses. They are their own breed of wonderful and it takes a very special person to have the finesse necessary for that position. Our nurses locally, however, really are the elite. They knew me. Knew my family. Having that personal connection with them made a huge difference.
I will always remember Nurse Jill telling me how her daughter, who I know, was doing as she held my daughter. Small town living, the interpersonal and interwoven connections, which you cannot put a price on. That whole department has a very special place in my heart, and always will.
So from me, and all the other parents who heard their babies take their first breath at that Banner Lassen, thank you. All of you are most certainly one of the reasons why I love this place we call home.
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