When Angela had envisioned the birth of her baby girl Gia, she had a very clear plan in mind. And while her birth didn’t exactly go according to plan, she’ll never forget the care she received from her team at Humber River Hospital.

“Dr. Lesley Hawkins and my nurses were so calm, even when I wasn’t,” says Angela. “They reminded me that I had done this before, and that I could do it again.”

“Dr. André LaRoche took great care of me during both of my pregnancies,” says Angela. “Delivering our first baby Leo had been traumatic, so I knew exactly what I wanted for my second and final birth. I planned on being induced while Dr. LaRoche was working so that he could deliver our baby and be there as we said farewell to this chapter of our lives.”

Then Angela’s induction date got pushed out. By the time she was induced, Dr. LaRoche was no longer on call. Things progressed quickly and by the next morning she was in active labour.

“I could tell when I was being triaged that the Labour & Delivery team was stretched,” says Angela. “Labour was progressing quickly. My biggest fear was that I wasn’t going to get the care I needed. But the nurse who triaged me, Ellie, reassured me. She brought me to L&D and told me that she was going to be my nurse and I could feel she wanted to make sure I was being taken care of.”

Angela then met Dr. Lesley Hawkins, the OBGYN who would deliver her baby.

“Right away, I appreciated how Dr. Hawkins approached me. As someone who had had a traumatic experience before, I felt really safe this time,” says Angela. “We decided together that based on my previous experience and how quickly the baby was coming that I wouldn’t be getting an epidural.”

“Dr. Hawkins and my nurses were so calm, even when I wasn’t,” she says. “They reminded me that I had done this before, and that I could do it again. And Humber had everything I needed like exercise balls and peanut balls to support my new birth plan.”

When baby Gia was born, Dr. Hawkins invited Angela’s husband Frank into the experience by allowing him to cut the cord. It was a detail that they hadn’t planned for but that ended up feeling very meaningful to Angela.

Dr. Hawkins holds up her Gifts of Gratitude card and pin that she received after Angela made a donation in honour of her, Ellie, Natalie, Paula, and Elena.

Soon after baby Gia was born, her healthcare team realized that she needed oxygen support. Angela waited in her bed for 40 minutes while Gia received the care she needed. She felt vulnerable and worried but her nurses continued to reassure her that Gia was okay. And when Gia was finally put on her chest, Angela was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

“We completed our family at Humber River Hospital,” says Angela. “Even when the unexpected happened, the care Gia and I received was so amazing and I knew I wanted to say thank you to my team with a Gift of Gratitude. I want Ellie, Natalie, Paula, Elena, and Dr. Hawkins to know that we appreciate everything they did for us. Thank you!”

Learn More About Gifts of Gratitude Today!

Are you grateful for the care you received at Humber River Hospital? Give a Gift of Gratitude in honour of the person or team who went above-and-beyond for you with a donation in their name. Click here to get started!