The McCollums with their new baby daughter at Riverside Regional Medical Center.
Like any expectant mother, Gabrielle McCollum had a birth plan and a vision for receiving family and friends at the hospital to meet her baby. She was especially looking forward to introducing her 2-year-old daughter to her new little sister.
Those plans changed dramatically with COVID-19 forcing hospitals to limit and then restrict visitation prior to Gabrielle's delivery date. But despite the change in plans, she and her husband welcomed a second healthy daughter at Riverside Regional Medical Center on March 19.
And rather than meet at the hospital, the McCollums introduced their newest addition to grandparents, aunts, friends and big sister via FaceTime.
During Gabrielle’s first birth, which also happened at RRMC, she and her husband stayed on the postpartum unit for the customary 48 hours. This time around they were fortunate to have a smooth experience giving birth and because their daughter was healthy and feeding well doctors and nurses offered an early discharge. “Our baby arrived on Thursday afternoon and we went home Friday afternoon,” explained Gabrielle. “It was nice that everyone was willing to work with us for an early discharge.”
Gabrielle admits that there was some added anxiety knowing that people had been told to stay home and practice social distancing while they had to go to the hospital, where COVID-19 was already a reality. But her experience was positive. “Our nurses were fantastic and very attentive,” says Gabrielle. “They put me at ease.”
Now that they are home, the McCollums are trying to take advantage of being together without visitors as they grapple with typical newborn adjustments like sleepless nights and multiple diaper changes. “My mother-in-law and sister-in-law were here to take care of my older daughter, so they stayed to help us for a couple of days,” says Gabrielle. “Everyone else is being patient about meeting the baby, which is hard but necessary.”
For help in finding a physician, making appointments and general information, call Riverside Nurse.
800-675-6368
