KP Santa Clara nurses are "family" for solo new mom in L&D

Maryna Varenikava didn’t plan to deliver her baby alone in the hospital during the coronavirus pandemic, but thanks to a group of Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Labor and Delivery nurses, she had a whole team of helpful, friendly, and comforting people by her side.

For that, she posted an effusive note of thanks on the internet.

Varenikava delivered her healthy baby girl Lia while Kaiser Permanente hospitals were restricting visitors in an effort to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When Varenikava arrived with her husband, and their 4-year-old daughter, at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara to deliver her baby the family wasn’t able to come inside. Children under 12 were not allowed due to the visitor restrictions in place.

Although Varenikava’s husband was allowed in, they didn’t have anyone to care for their daughter, so they made the decision her husband would take her daughter back home. The family said a tearful goodbye at the front entrance.

“We didn’t have childcare while I was gone to deliver my baby, so my husband stayed with her” Varenikava said. “Of course I felt a little sad being alone in the hospital.”

But Varenikava soon realized she wasn’t alone.

During her first night in the Labor and Delivery unit, Varenikava spent much of the evening with Ashley Osborne, the night nurse. Varenikava says they talked a lot and Osborne stayed with her in the room for a long time.

Since Varenikava was going to be induced, she had a lot of questions about the delivery process and Osborne helped her prepare for the upcoming birth.

“Thanks to Ashley, I felt more relaxed and a lot less afraid,” Varenikava said. “She was very caring and supported me when I had doubts.”

Varenikava’s post praised the entire nursing team at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara, which has recently been honored by Newsweek Magazine as being one of the best in the nation for providing excellent maternity care.

“Coming into the hospital can be a vulnerable, scary time, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Megan Gillespie, Chief Nurse Officer at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara. “Varenikava’s story shows how our nurses have truly stepped up showing resiliency as we tailor care to ensure all of our patients’ needs area met.”

Varenikava said anytime she had questions or needed something, the nurses responded quickly.

Varenikava also wrote kind words about Chanel Lee, a labor and delivery nurse who cared for her during labor.

“She’s amazing. She coached me and cared for me and inspired me when I felt I had no power to proceed,” she said.

Lee said she was honored to hear her patient’s kind words.

“I love my job and when I heard Maryna’s compliments, I know that I’m doing my job right,” said Lee, who has been a nurse at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara for five years.

Getting induced can be a long and strenuous labor for the mother, both physically and emotionally. Normally, moms-to-be would have a partner or family member helping them. The Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara nurses knew they needed to step up because Varenikava was alone.

“I believed in her,” Lee said. “She’s a very strong woman yet realizing she was alone, I spent time encouraging her to go on.”

Varenikava said the nurses made sure photos were taken of her and her little baby Lia that she could share with her family via email and text.

“This story exemplifies both the art and science of nursing care,” said Gillespie.