A little girl, a scary moment and a team that never stopped caring

When Mallorie and Dillon Fleener, of Salem, welcomed their daughter, Braelyn Shaye, into the world at Texas County Memorial Hospital (TCMH), they expected to leave with a beautiful birth story and their newest little family member.

They never expected that story would include a frightening moment that would test them emotionally, and show them just how much compassionate, attentive care can mean when a situation suddenly changes.

 

Braelyn was born at 3:44 a.m. Monday, September 7, weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 18 inches long. She joined her big sister, 2-year-old Kendall.

 

At first, labor and delivery had gone remarkably well.

 

“I went into labor on my own, and once I came to the hospital, everything progressed really well,” she recalled.

 

Mallorie chose Kristina Grant, DO, TCMH family medicine and obstetrics physician, to care for her and her family.

 

“Dr. Grant is my go-to for me and my baby,” Mallorie said. “I just absolutely love her.”

 

But shortly after Braelyn's birth, the family experienced a frightening turn.

 

While Mallorie was still being cared for after delivery, she happened to look over and noticed that Braelyn was having difficulty breathing. The care team immediately responded, taking Braelyn to the area behind the nurses' station where they could provide additional support.

 

When Braelyn's condition became more concerning, Dr. Grant quickly recognized that additional pediatric care was needed.

 

“Dr. Grant immediately was like, ‘We need to call Children's,’” Mallorie recalled.

 

For a new mother watching her newborn struggle, those moments were terrifying.

 

But Mallorie said what stands out most when she looks back is the way the TCMH team surrounded her family with care, communication and reassurance.

 

“I think I would have been even more of a wreck if people wouldn't have constantly come and checked on me,” she said. “Everyone on the staff took their turns coming in.”

 

Among those who made a lasting impression were nurses Haley Wilber, Lauren Atchison and Aimee Winstead.

 

“Haley held my hand during the epidural and stuff,” Mallorie said. “That was great.” She also remembered Lauren's attentiveness, saying, “Lauren was great. She was so attentive and asked me several times, ‘What can I do?’” And Aimee, who came on shift the morning Braelyn was born, was another nurse Mallorie fondly remembered: “I love Aimee.”

 

Mallorie said the compassion extended beyond the nurses. Members of the care team continued checking on her and keeping the family informed, including the anesthesiologist, who even returned to the room afterward to see how they were doing.

 

“Everybody was just fantastic,” Mallorie said.

 

Braelyn was transferred to Children's Hospital in St. Louis, where she spent approximately two and a half days. Thankfully, she continued to improve.

 

“We're very, very lucky,” Mallorie said. “She has done great.”

 

Looking back on those first hours of Braelyn's life, Mallorie's gratitude for the TCMH team is heartfelt.

 

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the compassionate care my baby and I received during birth,” she shared. “The support, kindness, and validation from all of you means more than I could ever express.”

 

For Mallorie, the experience reinforced why she and Dillon are willing to make the drive from Salem to receive their care at TCMH.

 

“We have a hospital in our hometown, but we take the time and drive 45 minutes,” she said. “You guys are awesome. Anything we ever need, you guys are a go-to.”

 

Sometimes, exceptional healthcare is about more than the medical care itself. It is about the nurse who holds a mother's hand when she's scared, the physician who recognizes when a newborn needs additional help, and the staff members who keep coming back to check on a worried family.

 

Today, Braelyn is doing well, surrounded by her mom, dad and big sister, and Mallorie remains deeply grateful to the TCMH team who helped give her daughter the best possible start.