Welcoming Ava to the World

SARA MCILVAINE-PAGE AND HER HUSBAND, CHRIS, KNEW THE CARE CENTER FOR FAMILY BIRTH AND WOMEN’S HEALTH AT WHS WASHINGTON HOSPITAL WAS THE PERFECT PLACE TO DELIVER THEIR FIRST CHILD TOGETHER.

Sara and Chris McIlvaine-Page live in Houston, Pennsylvania, about 15 minutes from WHS Washington Hospital. When Sara became pregnant, it seemed like a natural fit to deliver at the hospital, especially since the couple was within a short distance of the facility and already familiar with the physicians.

Sara had a relatively smooth pregnancy without getting sick or having cravings. She worked her entire pregnancy until April 29, the day she went into labor. The couple headed to the hospital around midnight after Sara timed her contractions 4–6 minutes apart.

“I had an epidural at 4 am and we both fell asleep, which was so nice,” Sara says. “It would have been tough to have the baby without rest. The nurses checked me at 7 am, and I was already ready to push. I was caught off guard! But they were all there to support me and talk me through everything.”

After pushing for about twenty minutes, Ava was born at 8:26 am on April 30.

IMPRESSED BY CARE
Sara felt comfortable and safe from the moment she walked through the doors at WHS Washington Hospital. “I recognized some people from taking childbirth classes beforehand,” Sara says. “It felt so nice to see familiar faces. Everyone was ready to help answer questions or show me what I needed to do.”

WHS Washington Hospital had recently updated the birth center before their stay. Sara was impressed with the comfortable rooms, including a couch that converted into a bed, a spacious bathroom, and her husband’s favorite part—the complimentary snack and beverage bar.

“This was my first birth experience,” Sara says. “I didn’t know what to expect. Everyone was so reassuring, from my nurse, Beth, who walked me through delivery, to the lactation consultant that called to check on us when we were home. They went above and beyond to take care of Ava and me, and they made sure I had the best experience possible.”