Nurse helps local mom connect with family while at hospital to give birth

PITTSBURGH — For families expecting a child, the coronavirus pandemic is causing a lot of uncertainty and fear about safety and who will be allowed into the hospital.

Erin Anderson gave birth at only 34 weeks after suffering a fall late in her pregnancy.

Anderson’s baby, Benjamin, was supposed to be born in early May

“Impeccable timing … to come six weeks early during a pandemic,” Anderson said.

Because of the pandemic, mom and dad knew the whole childbirth experience would be different than it was with their daughter.

“When our daughter was born, we had my parents, my grandparents, my brother and sister,” Anderson said.

Despite the unusual circumstances, they said there was still plenty to smile about at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital.

UPMC is restricting inpatient visitors to one person, so the Andersons knew their parents and grandparents wouldn’t be able to be there.

But Anderson’s nurse came to the rescue.

“She was like, ‘Why don't you video chat them and we can have them listen to his heartbeat?’ And my grandparents were just in tears because it gave them that feeling of being able to be there,” Anderson said.

Anderson said that was just one example of her medical team’s compassion and poise.

“If I didn't know from the news what was going on in the world, I would have no indication that it was a stressful time for them,” Anderson said.

Heather Ambrose, director of nursing at Magee-Womens Hospital, said their mission is to keep patients and families healthy and connected, even when the world seems like a scary place.

“Quite frankly, it’s just the culture here. We’re focused on the patient and make everything as smooth as we possibly can,” Ambrose said.

New dad shares hospital experience after wife gives birth during COVID-19 pandemic New dad shares hospital experience after wife gives birth during COVID-19 pandemic

© 2020 Cox Media Group