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The Scariest Five Minutes of My Life
Jacklynn Armstrong
Sep, 2019
For many first-time parents, the number of unknowns can be overwhelming. When it comes time for the second child, most have a better idea of what to expect. At least that’s what 26-year-old Niles resident, Jacklynn Armstrong thought while pregnant with baby number two.
As she neared the end of her pregnancy, Jacklynn visited Southwestern Medical Clinic Center for Women’s Health in Niles for what she thought would be a routine check-up. Still over a week from her due date, Jacklynn was surprised to learn she was already dilated to five centimeters.
“I came home after my appointment and about two hours later began experiencing strong contractions,” she said. “I went to the hospital that evening and within a few hours I was ready to push.”
The birth of Jacklynn’s first daughter, Mia, went smoothly and she expected to have a similar birth experience this time around as well. Soon after she began pushing, her care team realized baby Armstrong was experiencing shoulder dystocia—a complication that occurs when an infant's shoulders become lodged in the mother's pelvis during delivery.
“I remember everyone telling me they could see the head but no matter how hard I pushed she just didn’t want to come out,” Jacklynn said.
With the encouragement of her family and care team, baby Maci was delivered at 10:21 p.m. on July 31, 2019. As happy as Jacklynn was to see her new bundle of joy, things weren’t in the clear just yet.
“When Maci finally arrived, she was completely purple and wasn’t breathing,” Jacklynn said. “It was the scariest five minutes of my life.”
Thanks to the quick actions of the BirthPlace nursing team, they began administering oxygen immediately and were able to get baby Maci breathing once again.
“My nurses were truly amazing,” Jacklynn said. “They took control of the situation right away and kept us calm. It was a traumatizing situation, but they were very reassuring through it all and constantly provided updates on how my baby was doing.”
After 48 hours in the hospital, Jacklynn and Maci were able to return home—this time as a family of four. Maci had her initial check up with pediatrician, Charlotte Lofgren, MD, and has received a clean bill of health.
“I would recommend the Niles BirthPlace to anyone,” Jacklynn said. “My care team was so attentive to all of my needs and made a scary situation that much easier for my whole family.”
Having a baby is an exciting time in your life – and at Lakeland, we want to make it a healthy time. Whether this is your first baby or you are continuing to build your family, our experienced physicians and clinical staff are here to help you every step of the way. Click here to learn more about the BirthPlace or take a tour.
Photo credit: Our Tribe of Five Photography