PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook Medical Center’s first baby of 2016 was welcomed into the world on Jan. 4 at 8:20 p.m. by a Presque Isle couple who are considering her their “miracle baby.”
Jacqueline Elizabeth is the daughter of Ashley and Philip Smart. Although originally due Dec. 30, she came into the world on her own schedule, as newborns always do. Despite the delay, she still ended up being the first baby of the new year at the Presque Isle hospital.
After being in labor for more than 10 hours, Smart ended up having an emergency Caesarean section to deliver her 6-pound, 8-ounce baby girl. Despite being born in the operating room instead of a delivery room, mom and dad both had the opportunity to bond with the baby right away thanks to TAMC’s “skin-to-skin” protocol.
“I got to hold her right away. They laid her right on my chest,” said Ashley Smart. Philip was right by her side and was able to cut the cord.
“Skin-to-skin contact allows the mother the ability to have her baby on her chest immediately after birth. Traditionally, babies that were born via Caesarean were immediately brought to the nursery. We now make every attempt to not separate the new mom from her baby,” explained Pamela Lilley, manager of TAMC’s Women and Children’s Unit.
Skin-to-skin contact benefits both the mother and infant, according to Lilley. For moms, it decreases anxiety, increases the bonding experience, builds confidence and helps with exclusive breast feeding. For babies, it helps them learn to regulate their temperature, to stabilize breathing and heart rate, to be calmer and to have an easier time breastfeeding.
It was a step that was appreciated by the new parents, as was the care they received at the hospital and all the steps along the way from their obstetrics provider.
“I was so scared right from the beginning. I really don’t handle pain well and was worried about what to expect. I didn’t think I could do this, but the people here at TAMC really helped me,” explained Ashley. “Janna, Mary and the nurses here have all been great. They made me comfortable and gave me the support I needed.”
Janna Clukey and Mary Hamilton are nurse midwives from the hospital’s OB/GYN and midwifery services office who cared for Ashley during her pregnancy. Since a Caesarean ended up being required, baby Jacqueline was delivered by Dr. Joyce Hebert from the same practice.
young couple also credits family for helping them through, and one family member in particular who was there in spirit during this special event. Philip’s mother, Noella Willette, passed away one year ago, on Jan. 1, 2015, after a battle with cancer. Jacqueline would have been her first grandchild.
“We moved in with her and helped care for her until the end. I really feel like she was watching over us in the OR and keeping us safe,” said Ashley. “The fact that this happened almost exactly one year from the date of her passing. I just really feel that this is our miracle baby.”
In honor of the special delivery, the family was presented with several gifts. Included was a large and small diaper bag filled with a wide assortment of items for newborns provided by TAMC, a handmade quilt donated by the Crown of Maine Quilters, two handmade afghans and several books. As it does for all newborns, TAMC also provided the family with a HALOÆ sleep blanket, designed to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
“One of the things we tell our parents during discharge teaching is to use sleep clothing or wearable blankets rather than regular blankets,” explained Lilley. “Our staff feels strongly that providing each new family with their own SleepSackÆ is an important service. Our goal is to keep all of the infants born at TAMC safe and healthy.”
