My husband and I were very pleased to hear that the Nurse Midwife Clinic was so close. We change to them at about 5 months gestation and were very pleased with all of the attention and care we got right from the start. Gretchen and Sandy answered all of our questions about our second birth and put our minds at ease about the possibility of having to have another episiotomy. I had a level 4 episiotomy with our first boy and really hoped to not have to go though that again.

As we came down to the last 8 weeks I developed gestational diabetes and was assured that it was common and that there was nothing to worry about if I kept it under control. We were referred to Dr. Khalil because of the diabetes and he said that I would be induced at least a week early if I didn't go naturally by then. Dr. Khalil allowed me to stay with Gretchen. Sandy and I set our new boys birth date for June 7th. I was given Cervidil the night of the 6th and it helped some but not enough to get me into labor. Jordan refused to stay on the monitor so Gretchen decided on an internal monitor. As soon as she broke my water my intense labor began.

My mother arrived shortly after that and was over overjoyed to be allowed to be a part of the birth also. She was not allowed in with her other two grandkids in Missouri. Jordan came a short 3 hours later, much quicker than my 19 hours with out other son. He came out screaming. It was a joy to have him placed on my stomach while Gretchen cut the cord, even when he decided to poop on me.

Gretchen, Sandy and the nursing staff took such good care of us during our stay. I wanted to thank them all for making this birth great.

Jeni L. Marshall

North Huntingdon