Grandmother's Experience

OU Physicians' midwifery program was a godsend when my teenage daughter found herself pregnant. My daughter didn't necessarily want an unmedicated birth, but she was certain she wanted it to be as natural as possible in the delivery techniques of participation, gentleness in the labor room and a "guided" delivery with medical intervention kept in the background not the forefront.

We wanted to be able to fully trust our physician to make these decisions well. She also wanted to know that the facility would be up with the current standards of breastfeeding consultants, extended birthing classes, birthing rooms, nurseries that safeguard a new mother's choices, etc. I simply wanted my daughter to be as safe as possible while having a wonderful experience not only as a first time mother, but a teenage one as well.

Without hesitation, she chose OU Medical Center. She found the easygoing and welcoming staff wonderful, the facilities beautiful and the services excellent. When asked about choosing a midwife, I explained that my daughter was young and would need a gentle reassuring hand through this challenging experience.

We were referred to Leanna Harkess. This was a match made just for us. She was soft spoken and nurturing with a firm and professional side that gave us confidence that she was able to bring my daughter's new bundle into the world safely, while saying to me that she would bring "my baby" through with flying colors, too.

The first small crisis my daughter had while at the midwifery clinic was an eye opener. She was delighted with the one-on-one care she received, from a call at the urgent care area, to another call from Leanna the next day just to discuss how she was. My daughter looked at me when she put the phone down and said, "I am s-o-o glad I chose a midwife!"

The personal care was phenomenal. They were so wonderful and close to my daughter. She really relaxed with the obvious attention to her pregnancy no matter what her question or fear. The effect was that my daughter began to feel more and more that she really could handle this. Leanna always gave her total respect and autonomy even though she was still young and at home with her own mom. It was the first step in my daughter becoming a mom and the midwifery clinic helped her take it.

When my daughter's time came, Leanna made wonderful decisions regarding her labor and birth. She was invested in the process, bringing us music and supervising the process of labor. At delivery, she was the presence of calm and peace. In her gentle, firm way, she kept everything focused on my daughter's decisions and needs. It was as if a good friend entered the room and stayed rather than the harsh medical environment so often experienced.

My daughter had a beautiful and easy birth. Leanna, working with a great set of nurses, was so wonderful in supporting her labor that she delivered fully naturally, never needing any medication at all, much to her surprise. My daughter and I enjoyed the wonderful moment when she cradled her new daughter in her arms, but we also enjoyed the process of getting her here, too.