Compassionate care through sorrow and joy

(Content warning: Story includes details of miscarriages)

Rachel and Cody Kasprick, Watertown, met in college playing their respective sports — basketball and wrestling. In 2016, while in graduate school, Rachel accepted an internship at Ridgeview, which led to her career in Ridgeview’s Finance department. She loved her job and the area, so the young couple decided to settle down here. Over the next few years, they purchased a house, got married, traveled and welcomed two pups into their home — all while their desire to add a baby to their family grew.

Ready to start a family

Rachel and Cody were excited to start a family and found out they were expecting in the fall of 2022. Unfortunately, in December, Rachel experienced a miscarriage eight weeks into the pregnancy. Although miscarriages are not uncommon, it is still unexpected and devastating for parents. According to the National Institute of Health, 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage and it is estimated that number is actually much higher as many miscarriages happen unknowingly.   

The following July, after a few months of heartache and healing, the couple learned that Rachel was pregnant again. Because of her previous miscarriage, Rachel was closely monitored with ultrasounds at eight and 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, the couple learned through genetic testing that they were having a baby boy. The pregnancy was progressing well until Rachel experienced another devastating loss at 18 weeks.

The couple chose to have an induction and deliver their son at Ridgeview’s Birthing Center. “We were both so impressed with the nursing staff. Our nurse, Cheyenne, was calm and compassionate, which helped make things easier for us. When I was about to deliver, the on-call doctor was called away, and another nurse, Kim, came in to assist. I feel like she was sent for a reason. She took the time to sit with us and was incredibly caring with our son," Rachel explained. The nurses turned an incredibly difficult situation into something as gentle and compassionate as possible, caring for our son as if he had been born alive, just like any other baby.

A few weeks later, they received a card in the mail from Cheyenne, which surprised and deeply touched them. "I've always heard great things about the labor and delivery nurses at Ridgeview, and I want to give them even more praise for what they do," Rachel shared.

Cautiously optimistic with third pregnancy

Rachel became pregnant a third time in January 2024, a few months after her second miscarriage. The couple was once again cautiously optimistic. Rachel’s provider was Rebecca Baudoin, MD, Western OB/GYN, A Division of Ridgeview Clinics. “I saw Dr. Baudoin every two weeks at the beginning of the pregnancy. She understood my concerns and was very patient and supportive. At 12 weeks, we learned we were having a baby girl, and overall, the pregnancy went very smoothly,” Rachel said.

When Rachel’s water broke at 38 weeks, she, like many women in labor, questioned whether it was actually her water breaking. “I called the Birthing Center, and they told me to come in for a quick check-up so I wouldn’t have to worry. I was probably more apprehensive than most patients, but they never made me feel silly for questioning anything; they were always reassuring and validated my concerns,” Rachel said.

“When it came time to deliver, I was worried that returning to Ridgeview after two miscarriages would be difficult, but that was not the case. The nurses were very empathetic and aware of our previous experiences. Of everyone who supported us, nurse Kim deserves my highest praise. She was working when I delivered, and even though she was not our nurse that night, she came into our room so she could be present for our daughter’s birth. They see a lot of patients and knowing that she remembered us and wanted to support us during this delivery was truly incredible,” Rachel said.

After two losses, the Kaspricks joyfully welcomed Madelyn Rose into their family in September 2024.

Ridgeview’s Birthing Center is a special place to deliver your baby. At Ridgeview, you’re more than a patient; you’re treated like family. “Ridgeview truly has the most compassionate staff. They treat you as if you were a friend or family member, making your experience as special as possible,” Rachel shared. “It definitely makes me proud to be a part of the Ridgeview community!”

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