On Aug. 19, at 8:07 in the morning, my daughter Amelia Michele was born, and although this was one of the greatest experiences of my life it is not the only reason for my writing this letter.
I am writing to share the absolutely wonderful experience we had at the Birthplace, at Sonoma Valley Hospital, where Amelia Michele was born. Not only were the four days we spent there full of learning, support and comfort, but the time leading up to our daughter’s birth was just as satisfactory.
After we met Dr. Amara, who was to be our obstetrician, he encouraged us to go to the hospital to take a tour of the Birthplace.
We followed his advice and found ourselves greeted warmly by nurse Lisa, who would become one of the many friendly faces we would encounter during our four-day stay after Amelia was born. We found the Birthplace to be clean and quiet (despite the construction), and offered a warm environment for expectant families. This tour only assured my husband and me that we had made the right decision to stay at Sonoma Valley Hospital for the birth of our firstborn.
And then, the big day came, the day of Amelia’s birth and, despite this being a potentially scary and nerve-wracking experience, the entire staff was calm, patient and incredibly supportive, not only for me, but for my husband, parents and entire family as well.
Throughout our four-day stay at the hospital, we were treated with kindness and such experienced care that, by the time we were ready to venture home with our newborn daughter, we felt confident and ready to take on parenthood.
I would like to thank all the nurses at the Birthplace who took such amazing care of my family and me. Michael, Lisa, Tara, Lori, Kay Lynn, Pam and Sue were all responsible for making our experience at the Birthplace, at Sonoma Valley Hospital, one that we will never, ever forget.
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Sara and Justin Barker are first-time parents living in Sonoma.
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