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Special Delivery
After handpicking Jersey Shore as their delivery hospital of choice, these discerning
first-time parents found great comfort and expertise for their high-risk pregnancy,
both before and after the birth.
For Sandy and Jennifer Holt, a
chance meeting on an airplane
turned into a quick succession of
romance, a cross-country move,
marriage, and pregnancy. Late in
Jennifer’s pregnancy, the Holts
settled down in Sea Girt and looked
for a doctor and a hospital for the
impending birth of baby Alexander.
Sandy had lived in Northern
California for the past 25 years,
using Stanford Medical Center for all
his health care needs. His high regard
for Stanford led to low expectations
about what he might find in the
Garden State. But after taking Jersey
Shore University Medical Center’s
one-day childbirth course and hospital
tour, the Holts knew they’d found the
right place. "In retrospect, my fears
about the level of health care in
Monmouth County were unfounded,"
Sandy confirms. "We received
quality care, medical expertise and
professionalism, the latest technology,
and personalized attention. What
more could we want?"
As for their OB/GYN practice,
the Holts picked Monmouth County
Associates, with an office right across
the street from Jersey Shore, and they
rotated appointments with all of the
group’s physicians. On one occasion,
when Sandy was in California and
missed Jennifer’s appointment, he
was impressed to get a call from
one of the doctors with an update.
The Right Kind of Support
Because of her age and a genetic
condition, Jennifer’s pregnancy was
considered high-risk. Additionally,
Alexander was in breech position.
Three times the physician moved
him into proper position, and three times Alexander spun
back around. Eventually,
everyone agreed that a
cesarean would be best.
This made Jennifer
edgy, but when the time
came for Alexander to
make his entrance, the
Jersey Shore staff put
her and Sandy at ease.
"Everyone anticipated
our questions and
concerns and explained
everything thoroughly,"
says Jennifer. "During
my hospital stay, I met
all the nurses on rotation
and was amazed at their
immediate response
and their compassion."
She was particularly
impressed with Cathy
Oliff, who stayed by
her side from pre- to
post-birth, and Jackie
Rooney, who included
Sandy in all her nursery duties.
"All mothers are anxious, especially
first-time parents and those at highrisk,"
offers Noelle Aikman, M.D.,
who delivered Alexander. "Every birth
is special, and we want to make each
family feel as if they are the only ones
we’re taking care of. The Holts were
clearly excited, and we were just as
excited for them. Their familiarity
with the Medical Center and all of
the OB/GYNs in our practice helped."
Part of the Family
Beyond her four-day stay, Jennifer
has continued to benefit from the
assistance of Jersey Shore’s maternity
nurses, like Linda Carroll, her lactation
specialist. "They were there for us even after we left the hospital," she reports.
"More than just our nurses, they’ve
become our friends. We still call and
exchange cards."
Jennifer has taken advantage of
virtually every pre- and postnatal
service offered at Jersey Shore, most
of which are free, including an infant
CPR course and "Mommy and Me"
classes. "These classes are invaluable
to new mothers," says Jennifer. "Some
of the babies there were born at other
hospitals that don’t offer this level of
support. We can’t say enough about
this Medical Center, its physicians,
nursing staff, and resources. The Holt
family is definitely part of the Jersey
Shore family."
 – John Shaffer
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