Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates"
Autumn & Lily Staley
Autumn is a RN 2 at Inova Alexandria Hospital NICU unit.
How did you hear about Inova BabyNET?
Through the InovaNET at work
What parts of Inova BabyNET did you use?
It was great to have several different ways to communicate. E-mails or phone calls from my care manager Susan were very helpful. The Inova BabyNET website, was full of resources and great information. The Inova Birth and Parenting classes were great tools for preparing my husband and I for the birth of our little one
Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET?I was surprised by the gifts sent for completing the surveys and the compassion my care managers had for me.
If you have had your baby, how did it go?
As a new mom, you have this picture of what you want the birth to be like and
when it wasn't what I had imagined it was disappointing and I felt a little
like a failure. However, at the same time I was filled with tremendous joy for
bringing this new life into the world. It was long and hard but worth every
second. A little scary and very exciting. Not what we planned, we hoped for a
vaginal birth but ended up in the operating room but in the end but the baby
was healthy and happy and so was mommy!How are you doing now?What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?I'm doing great! I love being a mom and watching my little girl change
everyday. Exercising and eating well. Sharing my blessing with the world.
Advice: Cherish every moment, it goes by so fast! Take help if its offered and,
if it's not, ask for it!
Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates"
Meredith & Alyssa Soriano
Meredith is the Assistant Management Coordinator for
Inova's Emergency Care Center.
How did you hear about Inova BabyNET?
I learned about Inova BabyNET from a co-worker already enrolled in the program.
What parts of Inova BabyNET did you use?
E-mails or phone calls from my care manager, Jane were useful. Jane, my Inova BabyNET Care Manager, was awesome. She always answered my questions & gave great advice.
After Alyssa was born, Karen, the lactation nurse, called me at home and invited us to the lactation group on Mondays and Thursdays at IFH. Alyssa and I then attended a lactation group and were pleasantly surprised to see many mommies and babies there. We joined the group afterwards for lunch.
Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET?The gifts I received in the mail were a nice touch for completing the surveys. Receiving BabyNET e-mails about what to expect in your upcoming trimester was helpful.
If you have had your baby, how did it go?
Yes, Alyssa Gabrielle Soriano was born on May 27, 2008. I was expecting a vaginal birth, but had an emergency C-section. I was a little disappointed, but it was necessary for my baby. I am blessed that she was delivered safely.
How are you doing now?What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?Doing fine. Eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep during your pregnancy.
Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates"
Sarah and Cooper Clyburn
Sarah is in the Human Resources Department at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital.
How did you hear about Inova BabyNET?
I learned about Inova BabyNET from working in the Human Resources Department while promoting the program as a benefit for employees.
What parts of Inova BabyNET did you use?
It was great to have several different ways to communicate. E-mails or phone calls from my care manager were helpful. Newsletters were informative and I enjoyed the Inova BabyNET website.
Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET?I did join BabyNet with hesitation since I am already a mother of two (been there done that syndrome) I thought how is this going to help me? I quickly came to realize that if I had this benefit at my first child's birth (Katie Clyburn, Age 6) it would have been more enjoyable because I would have known what to expect. As a mom, you have this picture of what the birth would be like and when it wasn't what I had imagined it was heartbreaking. However, at the same time I was filled with tremendous joy for bringing this new life into the world.
When it came to my second birth (Jack Clyburn, Age 3) I was really afraid to go through what I had gone through with Katie. When I finally voiced my concern I was made to feel as if it was almost an improper thing to do since I had been through the birthing process before. This made it frustrating since everyone was saying every birth is different and others say you know what to expect since you have done it before.
If you have had your baby, how did it go?
When Cooper came (now 4 months old) it was nice to share my thoughts, ask questions, and get detailed, researched answers about anything and everything. Inova BabyNET made my pregnancy more enjoyable (after the morning sickness passed) and it made the birthing process more enjoyable. BabyNET made the transition to being a new mom, again, easy.
How are you doing now? What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?I am doing very well. The advice I would give would be to take time for yourself. Don't try and be superwoman.I love this benefit and I am truly grateful for Healthsource to offering it to employees and their families. I recommend theprogram every chance I get.
Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates"
Heather and Isabella Aufiero
Heather Aufiero is an Administrative Assistant at the Inova Fairfax Pharmacy Department.What do you like best about Inova BabyNET?-
I liked the emails or phone calls from my care manager. The electronic newsletters and Inova Childbirth Education classes were informative. It's a very convenient resource. I got a lot of good advice from my care manager. I had a lot of questions, and Leigh was able to either answer them or suggest where I could find more information.
How does Inova BabyNET make a difference for you?
I was surprised by how easy it was to use and how attentive my care manager has been. I always received responses to my questions quickly.
Have you had your baby yet, how did it go?
I developed PIH and was put on bed rest three weeks prior to my due date, then went into labor the day before I was scheduled to be induced. My daughter’s heart rate kept dropping during contractions so my doctor opted to do an emergency C-section. It was a little dramatic but all went well.
After a few weeks of recovery time I started to feel really good again. Eventually I stopped worrying about the laundry and just enjoyed my time at home with my daughter. Before I knew it I was back to work.How are you doing now? What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?
The first few weeks were rough, but it was worth it. Isabella is a very happy, easy going child. She has a lot of personality and makes me laugh every day. It is amazing how fast she has grown and
changed. She has been such a blessing.
Take it easy after delivery, the housework can wait. Enjoy every minute, they go by so fast!!!
Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates" Kristina Livingston and twins Kierra and Nyla
How did you hear about Inova BabyNET?
I actually work In Inova HealthSource the department that Inova BabyNET is a part of.
What do you like best about BabyNET?
I liked that I could email my Inova BabyNET coach with any questions that I had. Being pregnant with twins, I went through a lot of ups and downs.
How does BabyNET make a difference for you?
My Inova BabyNET coach actually worked for the High Risk Perinatal Unit (HRP) at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Having her there eased a lot of the anxieties I experienced each time I was admitted.
Have you had your baby yet, how did it go?
We had our babies on Nov. 27th via c-section. After going to my routine appointment at my doctors office she noticed I was having complications and a sent me to Inova Fairfax Hospital to be admitted to the HRP. The following day, I went into labor while on the unit and they were delivered at 1:28pm.
The staff was EXCELLENT! The babies were very healthy, Kierra weighing 4lbs 11oz, and Nyla weighing 5lbs 4oz and neither had to go to the NICU.
We felt blessed and with the "pep talk" Johanna gave us the day before, I was able to just concentrate on the delivery.How are you doing now? What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?
The babies are doing great! They are thriving, smiling and cooing. It is such an amazing experience. Although we are sleep deprived, we are very happy .
Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates"
Jennifer and Allyson Marsh
Jennifer Marsh works at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Child Care Center. Here is her "Graduate Story:"
Allyson is already a Detroit Red Wings fan
1. What do/did you like best about Inova BabyNET?
The feeling knowing that I always had someone to answer my questions, even if my doctor was busy.
2. What is ONE way Inova BabyNET has helped or affected your life?
It made me feel 100% prepared for the 'big day'. By reading the newsletters I had a good idea of what my baby was supposed to be doing each month.
3. What parts of Inova BabyNET did you use and like?
I used most of it and liked the phone call from the lactation consultant and care manager (Karen) after Allyson's birth. Even two months after Allyson was born, Karen regularly emailed me and asked if there was anything she could help me with.
The breastfeeding mom's group at IFH was great as well and gave me great support when I felt like giving up on breastfeeding.
4. Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET?
The prizes given out were wonderful. I brought the back massager with me to the hospital!
5. Have you had your baby yet, how did it go?
Yes, the birth went wonderful. I got to the hospital at 9:45pm and 8 cm. dilated and had Allyson at 12:40am without an epidural. I was relaxed because I was prepared for the things that we happening/about to happen.
The nurses, especially Tiffany, at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH) were all wonderful, caring ladies and fulfilled all our expectations. The breastfeeding class and the discharge class were great sources of information, as were the personal lactation consultants who came into my room to help with breastfeeding. Laura Erim was especially helpful with showing me how to use the rented pump and teaching me ways for Allyson to latch on. All in all, my husband and I are 100% sure we'd deliver at IFOH again!
6. How are you doing now and what advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?
Doing great. My advice is to stay active during pregnancy. I was active before, during and after pregnancy and it has helped tremendously!
Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates"
Cher
and Sean Spedden-Guyer
Here's what Cher Spedden, a nurse on the Pediatric Oncology/Hematology unit at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children had to say about her Inova BabyNET experience:
1. What do/did you like best about Inova BabyNET?
I loved the constant communication with someone who understood my physical and mental needs. All of my questions were answered promptly and completely.
2. What is ONE way Inova BabyNET has helped or affected your life?
I feel I was much more relaxed during the pregnancy because I felt like I had a safety net through Inova BabyNET any time I needed help.
Between trying to work nights, attend OB appts and endocrinologist appts weekly, setting up the baby's room, caring for a husband and 3 dogs (one of which developed cancer during my 8th month!), and worrying about my health (diabetes...) and my baby's health, needless to say I was pretty stressed out!!
Leigh, my Inova BabyNET care manager, was a huge blessing. She helped calm me down and get organized and educated me on so many issues. She provided me with lists (which was great because I am a big list-maker) to help me figure out what I needed and when I needed it--baby's room, comfort items during and after the pregnancy, things for me and the baby at the hospital, people/numbers to have post-delivery, diabetic care and dietary needs...
Not only did all the info she provided help me through it all, she was also there for me to lean on emotionally. She truly listened and cared and helped make the entire pregnancy a wonderful experience despite the issues. It was nice to have someone to talk to who understood and responded so quickly to anything I requested (and offered things I never even thought of!)!
3. Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET?
I was surprised by the prompt and continuous communication.
4. How was your birth?
It was a piece of cake!
I felt prepared for the delivery because I had all of my questions answered beforehand. I had my lists of things I needed to take to the hospital, things I would need at home, things I needed to do at the hospital, people to call...All of this info given by my care manager.
My care manager provided so much info throughout the pregnancy, as well as emotional support-something every hormonally charged mom-to-be needs!
5. How are you doing now?
I am doing very well, and my boy (Sean) is growing like a weed!
6. What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?
I got a lot of benefit from being in Inova BabyNET and I think everyone in Inova should take advantage of this great program! My advice would be to join Inova BabyNET, ask questions, and utilize the resources!
Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates" Jillian Violet and Tamatha
Here's what Tamatha Hickman, MSW, Psychiatric Clinical Liaison in the emergency departments at Mount Vernon and Alexandria hospitals, had to say about her Inova BabyNET experience...
What do you like best about BabyNET?
It felt like I had a big sister to turn to with any questions I had.
How does BabyNET make a difference for you?
I felt so much more prepared and "calm" during this pregnancy because I had someone to bounce my anxieties and questions off of.
My doctor dropped my insurance well into my 3rd trimester..having the continuity of a care manager helped with my anxiety and transition to a new doctor.
Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET?
How close I feel to my care manager and how accessible she was...I think she would have been fine with me calling her at 3am (luckily for her, I spared her that)
Have you had your baby yet, how did it go?
Yes, I went in for a blood pressure check at the hospital (I had been having some headaches) and the doc discovered the baby was in distress and she was born via emergency c-section within an hour!! But she was healthy, I was healthy and it turned out just fine...I was also really happy to have received a visit from Suzie the next day!
How are you doing now?
I'm still pretty sore, but happy to be home.
What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?
Anything can happen, so have faith in your medical team to take care of you and your baby.
Inova BabyNET Graduates Claire and Mercedez Flores
Claire's husband Mark is an RN in the CVICU
baby Mercedez with big brother Conrad (6) and sister Gabrielle (5)
It was a great way to get my questions answered quickly, around my schedule. I have two other children, so I could send an email whenever it occurred to me, even 2 am, and get an answer back the next day. I didn't have to wait until my doctor's office was open.
What is ONE way Inova BabyNET has helped or affected your life?
It gave me access to good resources that I could use when it fit my schedule.Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET?
I was surprised how personal it was. Everything was personalized to me, not a cold Q&A. I got to know my Care Manager, Beverly, and hear about her background and experiences as well.How was your birth?
Everything went well. I delivered at Inova Alexandria Hospital and the nurses were wonderful. Lisa, a lactation consultant from Inova BabyNET called me after the birth to see if I needed anything and invited me to a breastfeeding support group.
Would you recommend Inova BabyNET to other people?
Yes, I would recommend Inova BabyNET to others. I believe you can never too many resources, especially free medical ones. If this were my first pregnancy I definitely would have picked my Care Manager's brain more.
How are you doing now?
Busy as expected. My first response to finding out that I was pregnant with my third was "We (my husband and I) are going to be out numbered."
What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?
Time with your baby flies, so let the housework go! I can barely remember my first two children at this stage of infancy. I am now savoring every little cry, every little coo, every little smile. There will be housework until the end of time ... it'll wait.Our Own "Overalls Boy" Wilson Johnson,
son of Liz Johnson, Director of Strategic and Business Planning
What did you like best about Inova BabyNET?
Personal relationship with care manager - Beckie was great
What is ONE way Inova BabyNET has helped or affected your life?
Extremely helpful with the decision to have amnio vs. CVS - I'm 41 so it was very scary (by the way – I had amnio).
Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET?
The amount of time Beckie spent with me on the phone. Also, the lactation counseling from Karen was terrific.
How was your birth?
Wilson was born on December 8th at Inova Fairfax Hospital. My doctor was concerned that he'd be very large since I developed gestational diabetes. However, we sailed through a scheduled induction with only 5 pushes! The L&D and FCC staff was terrific, particularly the time with the lactation counselor
How are you doing now? What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?
Great - back at work for 3 months and the baby is thriving - started solid foods this week. Pumping between meetings is a challenge - but worth it. Advice - Relax! Trust yourself!
Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates"
Meka Gause and Layah:
Layah enjoys her toys
Layah and big sister Londyn
Meka Gause works at Inova Alexandria Hospital in the Perinatal Diagnostic Center. She took a few minutes to talk about her Inova BabyNET experience. Here is what she had to say:
What do/did you like best about Inova BabyNET?
I love the fact that I had my own nurse who was very attentive, kind and sensitive to all my needs!
What is ONE way Inova BabyNET has helped or affected your life?
I learned a lot more with this pregnancy because I was not scared to ask my nurse anything! She was nice enough to offer her home phone which was helpful. Depending on what my question was, she would sometimes tell me I needed to call and talk to my doctor about it.
Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET?
I was surprised that there is a real person to talk with both on the phone and in emails back and forth. Most programs online either for weight or pregnancy just send you things every week, but aren't personalized.
How was your birth?
I had my second daughter Layah, back in April, I was ready and prepared for my brand new bundle of joy! My care manager answered any and all my questions! She really put me at ease!
But to my surprise when I got to the hospital complaining of contractions, I was told my baby was breech and I would need a c- section. I was so terrified, I had never had any kind of surgery before. After my family and I prayed and the nurse on L&D calmed me down, I was ready.
How are you doing now?
I am still trying to get my energy back but I must say I have lost all of my baby weight and then some
What advice would you give to other pregnant women or new parents?
I got a lot of benefit from being in BabyNET and I think everyone in Inova should take advantage of this great program!
Meet Inova BabyNET "Graduates"
Shelley Cobb and Tyler:
•How did you hear about Inova BabyNET? Working in Inova's Human Resource Department, I hear about all of our benefits; so when I became pregnant, I was excited that I could actually try it out for myself and see what it was all about.
•What made you interested in joining Inova BabyNET? Wanting to have the best pregnancy possible-I knew I would be in good hands with the care managers in Inova BabyNET.
•What did you like best about Inova BabyNET? Having my ‘own’ care manager. She was easily accessible, I never felt afraid or embarrassed to ask her any questions or tell her anything.
From the beginning, she was such a great support and resource. I would come to work and get emails that would explain things I should be looking for in that particular stage in my pregnancy. For example, she knew I had doctor appointments coming up and would tell me what I should expect and questions that I may want to ask my doctor. She was able to provide further insight and clarity on things that my doctor mentioned, would keep me on track about what I should be doing, how I should be sleeping, reminded me to sign up for Lamaze and other such classes, how to prepare for baby’s arrival. I miss talking with her every week!
•Did anything surprise you about Inova BabyNET? I think that I was pleasantly surprised by the ‘curriculum’ of the program. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but, whatever my expectations were, they were far exceeded by Inova BabyNET and everything offered with it.
•Would you recommend Inova BabyNET to others? ABSOLUTELY!!!! It is such an amazing program, I don’t see why you wouldn’t join. The resources available, not only through the care manager, but on the website, the links, and the constant support-you hardly can find that anywhere else. Plus-you get cool prizes like a book, a gift card and 2 movie tickets just for taking surveys!!
•Did you get help from an Inova BabyNET lactation consultant? Yes! Because my baby, Tyler, was in NICU for 5 days, we had a rough start the whole breastfeeding thing. So, for 2 months, I became a “pro” pumper!! Even though I was an exclusive pumper, lactation consultants still called me to see how I was doing, how he was doing, encouraging me to keep it up, and even offering helpful suggestions.
•How are you and Tyler doing now? We are doing awesome! It is so amazing to have seen this little human born 7 months ago and already develop and change so much. He has brought so much happiness to our lives, I can’t imagine life without him. What did we do before him?!?
