Personal Stories from the Milford VNA
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When a woman is pregnant, it’s natural for her to worry about her unborn child. But what happens when mom’s health is in jeopardy and requires daily monitoring by a healthcare professional? Read how Kara faced this issue and how the VNA of the Greater Milford-Northbridge Area helped her after she gave birth to her premature and “tiny, but healthy” daughter.
From all accounts, Kara is young
and healthy and had no reason to
expect a problem pregnancy. She
and her husband were excited about
welcoming their first child when, in
her seventh month, Kara developed
Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
(PIH), a serious high blood pressure
condition. Elevated blood pressure
during pregnancy carries many risks
to the mother and unborn child.
Kara’s blood pressure was so
precarious during her checkup that
her obstetrician admitted her
immediately to the hospital for bed
rest. A month later, as Kara proudly
says, her “tiny, but healthy” daughter
was born prematurely.
Leaving her baby in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU), Kara went home but continued to have high blood pressure. Handling this condition involves daily blood pressure readings, medication adjustments, diet instruction and monitoring for the signs of PIH. Kara wanted to go to Boston every day to spend time with her new baby. A daily trip to her doctor's office would have added to her stress, possibly elevating Kara’s blood pressure to dangerous levels. This is when the Milford VNA came into the family’s life.
Barbara, a Maternal/Child Nurse from the Milford VNA, stepped in to care for Kara. Barbara made daily visits to Kara’s home, monitoring Kara’s symptoms and conferring with her doctor when medication changes were needed. Barbara also worked with Kara on postpartum care, breastfeeding, nutrition and the importance of rest.
A month after Barbara’s daily visits, Kara’s blood pressure stabilized to a normal and safe level. By then, Kara’s daughter was released from the NICU. The concern now was whether the baby would thrive at home because she was premature and had spent so much time in the hospital. Again, Barbara took action, covering all the routine and “normal” things a new mother needs to know in order to care for her baby, such as bathing, feeding and managing a newborn's care.
Kara and her baby are flourishing now, thanks to the care provided by the Milford VNA. “Without the Milford VNA, it would have taken me longer to realize my blood pressure was not coming down,” said Kara. “My recovery period would have taken longer and things might have gotten worse. The VNA visits meant I didn’t have to go to my doctor’s office for blood pressure checks. And the VNA was so accommodating! They worked around my schedule so I was always free to go visit my baby every day.”
Kara says, “Thank you, Milford VNA. Because of your takecharge approach and accommodating ways, everything’s great!”
The VNA of the Greater Milford-Northbridge Area provides unparalleled health care services in the home, assisting patients on their road to regained health and independence. Our staff is licensed or certified and thoroughly screened before they conduct home visits. To find out how the Milford VNA can provide care for you or a loved one, call 508-473-0862.