Cache Valley Hospital: Creating a birth story to remember

Anticipation of the birth of a child is an exciting time. As with every child, each birth is a story that is unique and memorable, reprised many times by parents throughout a child’s life with pure love and gratitude.

When it came time for Jessica Shoop to deliver her second child, Jessica and her husband, Tim Shoop, truly longed for that unique and loving experience that would develop into their second child’s birth story. She was looking for a birthing event very different from her first child’s delivery. “With our first child, we were scared and vulnerable,” explained Jessica. “It was a big hospital. My husband and I felt like just another number and the doctors and hospital leadership did not want to help.”

This experience made Jessica and Tim very apprehensive about having their second child. They spent much time researching physicians and facilities that would be understanding and address their concerns. In their search, they found obstetrician, Dr. Kristin Craig. She was on the staff of two hospitals in the area, Cache Valley Hospital (CVH) being one of those facilities. The couple met with Dr. Craig. She listened to the story of their first experience, addressed their concerns and asked them what they wanted during this birth experience and then suggested CVH would be the best hospital for the delivery of their baby.

Jessica and Tim felt confident in Dr. Craig as their obstetrician and now wanted to visit CVH. They took a tour of the hospital and were able to meet the nursing staff who eased their fears. The staff was very accommodating and encouraged them to call with questions — which they did, and the staff was more than happy to help. The staff also walked them through the process, assuring Jessica and Tim that they would be there to support them through the entire event and after. The couple felt they could trust the staff at CVH.

“It was a breath of fresh air coming to CVH,” Tim recalls of the tour. “It was just the environment we were looking for: Less stressful and personalized care that put us at ease. The staff was attentive to small details.”

Delivering in a time of COVID added some additional challenging emotions to what the couple was already experiencing, but after meeting with their physician, touring the hospital and meeting the staff, Jessica and Tim felt more comfortable with the fact that visitors would not be permitted. They had all the support they needed from the staff at CVH. “I knew the entire staff would be taking proper precautions, and truly care for us. This kept me at ease and we were not worried,” said Jessica.

When the day came for the birth of their second child, Jessica had to deliver via c-section. “We were still a little apprehensive when it came to having our second child, but we knew CVH offered a calmer environment and I was confident in my decision to have a baby there,” explains Jessica. “The staff at CVH kept me calm and I knew I was in good hands. It was a very healing experience for me.”

Jessica successfully delivered a daughter, Cynthia Jacqueline. She had some respiratory issues and needed some time in the NICU, but she continued to improve every day and they were excited about bringing her home to her ​sister, Evelynn. ​ “This time, I did not worry about my baby being in the nursery without me. I have full confidence in the staff. I was not emotional, even with all these hormones. I haven’t cried once! I cried the entire time during my terrible experience at the other hospital,” Jessica expresses as she recalls her prior experience.

Jessica and her husband felt cared for during their entire experience at CVH. “The staff went above and beyond,” explains Jessica with joy. “Everyone from Dr. Kristin Craig, to the entire nursing staff, administration and leadership, housekeeping that left kind notes for me in my room, to the dieticians. No one made me feel like I was a complicated patient. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Everything worked out really well and I felt confident when I left that Cynthia was well taken care of.”

The birth of Jessica and Tim’s daughter, Cynthia is one they will always remember. Their unique experience at CVH left an imprint on their hearts giving them a story to recall with pure love and joy. “Some people may think you need to go to a big hospital to have the best care and the best NICU. That is not always the case,” Jessica assures mothers. “CVH is the closest that I can get to a home birth.”

Learn more about labor and delivery at Cache Valley Hospital.