Melinda Gibson’s Childbirth Story
When my daughter Kennedy was born in 2016, we were living in the Clayton area, and my OB-GYN had planned my delivery at the birthing center at Johnston Health’s Clayton hospital. When I went into labor and arrived at the hospital, I had no idea what a wonderful, supportive experience I had ahead of me.
Nurses Became My Friends
The most impactful part of the experience began immediately with the wonderful nursing staff. Primarily nurses worked with me from the time I arrived. They made me feel like I had very close friends taking care of me, and one of them stayed with me from start to finish.
The labor and delivery rooms were huge and comfortable, and there was even a fold-down Murphy bed so my husband or a family member could stay with me. Everything went so well. Every aspect of care for Kennedy and me was beyond my expectations.
Still My Top Choice the Second Time
Two years later, when I was expecting our next child, we were living in Wake Forest, but my husband and I both agreed that we wanted our child delivered at Johnston Health Clayton. Friends couldn’t believe that we were choosing to drive almost 45 minutes, past at least three major hospitals in Raleigh, to Clayton for our delivery. I told them that after the wonderful experience we had in Clayton, there was nowhere else I would consider going.
My Nurse Friends Return
As my labor started and we called my doctor to alert him, I wondered if my previous nurses would be at the hospital. Amazingly, one of my nurse friends called me from Johnston Health Clayton to confirm that I was on my way. She was there to meet me when I arrived.
We were anticipating a normal delivery as with Kennedy, but after 24 hours without delivery, the decision was made to go with a C-section. My other nurse came on my second day to work with me during my labor, and she assisted with the C-section.
Care Plan for Unexpected Medical Needs
Immediately following the C-section, I came to appreciate the advantages of Johnston Health’s partnership with UNC Health Care. As a nurse was bathing Adalynn, my new baby girl, she spotted a health condition. Staff assured me it was not uncommon or dangerous, but it would require a neonatal specialist and eventually corrective surgery at their sister hospital, UNC REX Healthcare in Raleigh. They arranged for that procedure and took a lot of time to teach me how to take care of Adalynn’s condition until she was old enough for surgery.
Everyone Was Kind & Supportive
Meanwhile, my husband needed to go home and take care of Kennedy. He told me that he was not worried about leaving because he knew I would be well cared for in his absence. He was so right. Everyone from the nurses to the anesthesiologist was so kind and supportive.
Even the folks from the food service were especially pleasant and attentive when they came by to take my food order. They would ask if I needed them to check on anything else when they came by to deliver meals.
UNC Partnership Helps My Baby
Three months later, Adalynn was admitted to UNC REX Healthcare for surgery to repair the issue with her digestive system. Just as at Johnston Health Clayton, everything with her care went perfectly. We are home, healthy, and so thankful for the excellent care we received once again from Johnston Health Clayton and the extended UNC Health Care family. As I have told others, we wouldn’t go anywhere else!
Melinda Gibson and her daughters, Kennedy and Adalynn
Wake Forest, NC
