The Summer of Babies

Photo By Christina Clarke | Isabel and John Martinez are all smiles with the arrival of their first child, Glorianna. Isabel was one of seventeen obstetric patients in the month of August at U.S. Naval Hospital Naples, an amount rarely seen on the multi-service ward. Photo courtesy of Isabel Martinez.  

GRICIGNANO D'AVERSA, ITALY

09.25.2019

Story by Christina Clarke 

U.S. Naval Hospital Naples

Isabel Martinez sweeps hair from her forehead while holding her newborn daughter, Glorianna. Martinez and her husband, John, were one of thirty-nine labor and delivery cases over the course of the summer. For U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Naples, which averages approximately eight to ten deliveries a month, this summer saw an unusual spike in births.

“This is our first child so I was obviously nervous and especially so after hearing that a lot of other moms were due around the same time as me,” says Martinez. “I had a great birth experience – I was lucky the day I gave birth because it was just me at the hospital. But hours after my baby girl arrived staff began preparing for a few new moms. Even so, we were still given all the attention and care we needed.”

Each month, the Multi-Service Ward (MSW) receives a report from the obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) department with a roster of expectant moms and their due dates. The MSW then writes the names on their calendar to keep track of when they may potentially have patients. In August of last year, there were five deliveries; this year more than tripled with seventeen. At one point, there were seven couplets – seven moms and seven babies – on the ward, in addition to other inpatients.

“We knew this would be a busy summer but this was definitely the most OB patients I’ve seen in my time here,” says Lieutenant Lauren Preston, an MSW nurse. “We were prepared with extra supplies and stayed on top of schedules. Once the logistics were taken care of, it was time to help people bring new members into their family.”

Throughout the military community, summer is a time of increased turnover. Many of the expectant parents had moved to Naples at the beginning of the season and completed their obstetrics journey at the hospital.

“It’s always a joy to see new families essentially created right before your eyes,” says Preston. “To know that we play a small role in that is something uniquely special.”

Each year, the military health system delivers approximately 110,000 babies. In 2018, USNH Naples had a total of 134 babies born at the hospital. As of mid-September, the grand total is 90. Despite the increased number of summer deliveries, an autumn lull is expected to bring the 2019 total close to previous years.

“This summer was so fun because we all love babies,” says Preston. “A lot of the nurses were hoping for what we called ‘The Triple Crown’ which would have been three babies in one shift. We didn’t reach that but we certainly had plenty of babies, moms, and family members; there were flowers everywhere!”

As Isabel, John, and Glorianna begin this new chapter of their family story, they are grateful for the care received at USNH Naples. “The staff were so attentive and kind, they made the whole experience smooth and easy. Lt. Preston was amazing and super helpful throughout. If the increase in moms and babies stressed anyone out, they certainly didn’t let it show!”

USNH Naples, the largest naval hospital in Europe, serves a diverse population of over 9,800 beneficiaries. Over 500 staff members at the main hospital, branch health clinic, and Navy Liaison Detachment in Landstuhl, Germany work tirelessly to keep warfighters in the fight and provide care for their families.

• Date Taken: 09.25.2019
• Date Posted: 09.25.2019 01:39
• Story ID: 343524
• Location: GRICIGNANO D'AVERSA, IT