Nurses Step Into Family Role During The Pandemic

Giving birth does not necessarily stop even during the pandemic. Hence, the much-awaited time for mothers and their families only became complicated.

Maggie Callahan-Mabus, had her son, Jackson, on March 18 at CHI Health St. Francis.

However, due to medical complications and the challenges due to the Coronavirus, Maggie's delivery did not go quite like what they had planned.

According to Maggie, it was a hassle-free nine months for her while carrying the baby in her womb, only to be transitioned to her 24-hour delivery, not to mention spending a week in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU.

Maggie, and with her husband, John, decided with the doctors to induce labor a week early, an effort to get ahead of the Coronavirus.

After Maggie's C-section, the nurses noticed that something is not right. Later on, they found out that the baby, Jackson, had swallowed amniotic fluid that had gotten into his lungs.

Maggie said that she got to hold her son while a respiratory specialist was examining him.

The baby was then hooked up to a ventilator and put on antibiotics in the NICU. After a few days, he was also treated for jaundice or the yellow discoloration of a newborn baby's skin and eyes.

As much as Maggie and her family wanted to visit the new addition to their family, the visitor restrictions due to the COVID-19 could not allow them.

Maggie said that it was tough to say that both sides of their family cannot come to see their baby, especially to her grandmother, since Jackson was the first grandchild.

At this point, the nurses came to the rescue. They stepped into that family role for the parents.

Maggie was overwhelmed to learn that the nurses were calling to see how their son was doing during the days that they were not around, as well as making sure to check in on them from different departments. She also mentioned that the nurses were a significant help to her when it comes to tips and tricks in breastfeeding and bathing her child.

Maggie also expressed how intense and challenging giving birth is, especially without their family. However, the nurses also made up for it. Maggie said that the nurses became their second family and their biggest cheerleaders.

The baby, Jackson Mabus, is one of the 126 newborn babies at CHI Health St. Francis since March 1.

Beth Deida, the RN Clinical Supervisor at the CHI Health St. Francis Birthing Clinic, shared the hospital's protocol during a delivery.

She said that all their staff was dressed in PPE during a delivery. The support person in the room also needs to wear a mask. On the other hand, if the expecting mother is testing for COVID-19, she does not have to wear a mask. Finally, only the mother, the support person, and the doctors and nurses are allowed in the room.

Maggie and John Mabus, even their dog, are all excited to finally bring Jackson home; he is now seven-week-old and a happy, healthy baby.

Because of the pandemic, other family members have yet to visit and see Jackson. However, Maggie said that they are hoping to schedule a visit in the upcoming weeks.