There is nothing that brings people together like babies. They bond parents, they sprout unconditional love, and they have a way of bringing a “tribe” together. And nothing says “tribe” like the NICU nurses at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City.
They say having a baby takes a village and these nurses know the meaning behind that. This hospital displays a true village mentality surrounded by caring hands, patience, and love for premature babies. But beyond that, they’ve not only fostered a love for premies from other mothers but for their own.
What I mean is, 36 ladies of the nursing staff were all pregnant at the same time!
Not only are they responsible for treating and caring for sick children, but they are tasked with taking care of their own.
Jake Jacobson is the Missouri hospital’s public relations director and told the USA Today that these special women take care of each other as pregnant women and moms.
Q: How do the women feel about everyone being pregnant at the same time?
NICU nurse Michelle Janes, who is expecting her second child on Nov. 29, said, “We can chat about it and vent about it and be excited for each other. Especially those of us who already have kids. Many of us give each other opinions on things. We have a Facebook group and we weigh in on everything from diaper rash to kids crawling out of their crib.”
Sounds like this village is running smoothly!
All moms need support, but it’s the support of your fellow co-workers that hit the heart. They understand the stress that comes with raising children. And that kindness and love help each other along the way.
These ladies even know how to make each and every pregnancy special.
Janes mentioned there is always “an email out for some sort of baby shower” to celebrate new moms on the birth of their children. Since the NICU works ’round the clock, baby showers are scheduled at non-traditional times. No four-hour Saturday luncheons for them. They plan showers during the day, like a Wednesday morning, so all schedules are accommodated. So thoughtful!
Q: What about toddlers and playdates?
Not to worry, they’ve got that figured out as well. All children are welcomed at showers, playdates at the zoo and more.
“It’s great support and there’s always a mass of toddlers running around,” Janes said. “And they’re all getting to recognize each other, and that’s fun.”
Q: What has come from this miraculous bond they share?
Love, friendship, and encouragement.
Nurse Allison Ronco, the critical care education coordinator, said their friendships started long before the hospital baby boom!
“We were hired fresh out of nursing school and planned each others’ wedding showers. We’ve been through it all together.”
Overall, this special team says this has helped them connect deeper with other mother’s whose children required time in the NICU.
“Once you have your own baby, everything suddenly gets shifted,” Ronco said. “For the most part, we have gotten to go home with healthy babies. And we can really empathize with those moms and the struggle they must go through not being able to.”
This is truly a feel-good story, especially for women who may not have a village of pregnant nurses on call to help them relieve stress! But the truth of this story lies beyond the babies.
It proves that women can lift each other up, relate in ways society shows us we can’t, and love unconditionally.
