Lauren “Lo” Banaszak is best known for her role as a local midwife who has attended nearly 400 births. But these days she also wears the title of “mom” after having her own adventure bringing baby David into the world in June.
Her birth journey started out as expected, took a detour that ended in an emergency Cesarean, and left her with even more respect for her care team.
“I had a fabulous experience,” said Banaszak, who delivered at Hamilton Medical Center’s Turner Maternal & Infant Care Center. “Everyone was so compassionate and kind and excited.”
Banaszak, a California native who has worked in Dalton for four years including one year as a student, came home from work the day she went into labor. With husband Dan by her side, she checked into the hospital a short time later.
Their birth plan indicated Banaszak wanted a non-medicated birth. They knew David would arrive with a clubbed foot that would need rehabilitation. But they felt hopeful and excited and couldn’t wait to meet their first child.
When Lauren Banaszak arrived, check-in was smooth and quick, and labor progressed as expected for a while. Then she began feeling an internal tug to reconsider her birth plan. Many patients successfully deliver without an epidural. But those who don’t already have one typically go under general anesthesia if an emergency Cesarean becomes necessary.
“I think the thing that would have made my heart so sad was not to hear that first cry,” Banaszak said. “Faith is really important to me, and at one point I felt like the Lord encouraged me to get an epidural.”
The process went off without a hitch, she said. Not long after, she was ready to push. Then, David’s heart rate dropped. Banaszak tried changing to positions that often help raise fetal heart rates — first on her left side, then on her hands and knees. The nurses watched. But nothing worked.
“They all waited to see if his heart rate would pop back up, and when it didn’t, it was all hands on deck,” Banaszak said. “But it was not chaotic. Everyone just assumed their role.”
Banaszak said she felt oddly calm as the team prepared her for surgery — and confident she was in capable hands. Within seven minutes, David was safely delivered.
“Everyone was holding their breath,” she recalled. “I’ve never felt so much joy in my life to hear his little cry.”
Looking back, Banaszak described her stay at Hamilton as “the best birth experience” she could have had despite the process not unfolding as planned.
“I can’t say enough that I feel like the care at Hamilton is so mom- and baby-centered,” she said. “Everyone has their best interests in mind and wants the best possible outcome. I think that shines through in the way the care is given. It’s a really wonderful team of people.”
Submitted by Vitruvian Health.