We’re thrilled that our patient, Susan Owens, entrusted us with her care and with sharing the story of her and little Andrew.
Hi, Susan! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Susan Owens. I now have two beautiful boys, Joshua and Andrew. I’m 26 years old, and I live in Phoenix, now. I’m originally from New York City.
Describe your high-risk pregnancy journey with us.
It’s quite a journey! It really starts with my first pregnancy. My first baby, Joshua, I wasn’t with Valley Perinatal. I didn’t even know I was high-risk with my pregnancy! During my 2nd trimester I started having issues—my blood pressure rose. I was eventually diagnosed with preeclampsia by my OB, and they induced me at the end. Then I struggled with infertility. That’s when I found Valley Perinatal, just through a Google search. I had moved to Phoenix and scheduled a consult with you guys to talk through the fertility issues. When I did get pregnant with Andrew, I was referred to you guys because of my history with preeclampsia and my blood pressure, hypertension and blood clotting issues.
How did it feel, knowing you were first pregnant with little Andrew?
I was so excited at first. It’s so nerve-wracking, and yet I was so excited, all these feelings at once. I was happy and pregnant and excited to have another baby and yet so nervous and anxious because I didn’t want to lose this baby. I wanted to make sure I was doing everything right, that I wasn’t doing anything that would jeopardize or hurt the baby. A lot of emotions, that’s all I can say.
What was your experience with Valley?
Valley was hugely influential in me giving Andrew a safe start to life. You guys monitored me closely and gave me such a feeling of security the whole way through. There was so much detail the ultrasound and providers gave me. I felt like it was individualized care. I wasn’t grouped into some lump sum of patients—it was me and Andrew and you guys the whole way. They took it one visit at a time with me. I really enjoyed Dr. Elliott, having him as someone to talk to. We were really on the same wavelength. He was one of the first ones I saw the first time, that trust was built from the get-go. He understood what I was saying as a mother, you know? I’m in the medical field myself. I’m a lab tech, so I’m technical—I work with numbers and lab values. He understood where I was coming.
Do you have a favorite Valley memory with Andrew?
I remember there was an ultrasound picture towards the end, everybody outside of the room heard me saying ‘Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” Cause I could see him so clearly, and I swear little Andrew smiled. I was already 36 weeks, so I could see him very clearly and I was so touched. My heart just melted. I couldn’t hold in the excitement.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Susan!
Photography by Little Legacy Studios, certified newborn posing photographer.
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