The final weeks of pregnancy are some of the most exciting for expectant mothers as they eagerly await the arrival of their little bundle. At 39 weeks pregnant with her first child, Holly Springs resident Kelly Belch was busy making the final preparations to welcome the newest addition to her family until complications arose that brought her to a screeching halt.
February 9th, 2021 is a day that Kelly and her family won’t soon forget. As the day progressed, Kelly knew that something wasn’t quite right with her pregnancy. Together, she and her husband made the decision to visit the Women’s Pavilion and Birthplace at WakeMed Cary Hospital to get checked out. What unfolded over the next 24 hours Kelly could have never anticipated, but her dedicated team of doctors and nurses remained by her side throughout the entirety of her stay.
Upon arrival to WakeMed Cary, Kelly was quickly diagnosed with preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure condition that affects pregnant women and can be dangerous if untreated. Her provider made the decision to begin the process of inducing labor, and Kelly was promptly taken to one of the labor and delivery rooms to welcome her son into the world. There, the care that Kelly received helped ease her fears and confirmed that she had chosen the right place to give birth.
“I was terrified, but the doctors and nurses there made me feel so at home. The room was like staying in a really nice spacious hotel with a huge birthing tub and plenty of room for my husband. They [the providers] listened to all my birthing requests and did everything possible to give me the birth I wanted.”
However, nothing could have prepared Kelly for what was going to happen next. According to Kelly, all was going smoothly until her water broke. Her baby’s heartbeat disappeared, and Kelly noticed the presence of meconium — a substance that often can be an indicator of fetal distress — in the amniotic fluid. As a certified EMT, Kelly knew that both of these signs pointed to complications with her delivery, and she began to panic.
“Quickly, about 15 doctors and nurses rushed to my aid and shared knowledge on what they could do to save him. My midwife tried her best to find a way to give me the natural birth I wanted and by the grace of God, she was able to find a heartbeat after a few minutes.”
Unfortunately, Kelly wasn’t out of the woods yet. Despite the presence of a steady rhythm just minutes earlier, her baby’s heartbeat continued falling with each contraction and his positioning blocked the birth canal. Kelly’s midwife and providers quickly concluded that Kelly would need to have a C-section in order to prevent further complications. The surgical team quickly prepped her and took her back to the operating room where she was given a spinal block and made as comfortable as possible.
“There was a whole team of doctors waiting to check on my baby as they performed my C-section. I started vomiting on the table because of my blood pressure issues, and she [the provider] was still able to get him out and sew me up so quick and with a scar that’s barely noticeable today. My baby ended up having the cord wrapped around his neck three times tightly and was in a position where he would have never made it out vaginally, so the c-section saved both of our lives. Thankfully, he was perfectly fine thanks — to the wonderful doctors and nurses of WakeMed!”
Despite the unexpected complications of her delivery, Kelly’s story ends joyfully. According to Kelly, her sweet boy, named Asher, is now 5 and a half months old and completely healthy and happy.
“He is an absolutely wonderful, healthy, happy, perfect boy. He is starting to roll and babbles to me all the time.”
Since that momentous February day, Kelly has continuously praised the care she received at WakeMed Cary. Her team of doctors and nurses are just a few of the compassionate and professional providers at WakeMed dedicated to women’s health.
“WakeMed could not have done a better job. Asher may not be here today if it were not for them. I will be back at WakeMed for all of my future births.”
About WakeMed Women’s Services:
WakeMed Women’s offers a variety of services for all stages of a woman’s life including Gynecology, Pregnancy & Childbirth, Baby Support, Breast Health, Nutrition, and more.
When it does come time for childbirth, WakeMed physicians and staff are experts. Delivering more babies than any other system in Wake County, WakeMed birthing center locations can be found at Raleigh Campus, Cary Hospital, and North Hospital. All three locations are designed and operated with the highest quality care to ensure that your newest family member comes into the world in the best possible way.
More information about WakeMed Women’s services can be found at Women’s, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Raleigh & Wake County, NC
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