When Kaitlyn and Matt Barnett of Swedesboro had their first child at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill in 2022, the experience was almost a complete blur. Although Kaitlyn’s pregnancy was considered high risk, they had not planned on an emergency c-section or a 4-day hospital stay for their baby, Miles.
Yet the couple said that the quality of care, support, and compassion the family received during that experience is what brought them back to Inspira for the birth of their second child, Kendall, in August 2024.
“As a nurse who spent 7 years in pediatric critical care, I have a pretty strong expectation of what health care should be. The care we got during Miles’s challenging birth was great. Everyone was so attentive. Miles spent his first four days in the intermediate care nursery and those nurses were phenomenal.”
Matt, a police detective in Washington Township, agreed.
“During an incredibly stress-filled time, the team kept me informed and made me know that we were in the right place,” said Matt. “They helped me feel comfortable, almost relaxed. When we decided to have a second child, there was no question where we were going.”
While mentally preparing for her second delivery, Kaitlyn felt in some ways as if she was getting ready for something that she had never experienced.
“This was almost like the first time I was going through a delivery,” she continued. “I was meeting a whole new care team and, even though I’m a nurse, I wondered what exactly was going to happen. The team talked me through the whole process, start to finish, and put my mind at ease. Everything went as smoothly as possible.”
Kaitlyn and Matt felt fully present for the birth of Kendall, who was delivered via a planned c-section on August 5 by Kimberly J. Arkebauer, D.O., and Kelly McFarland, M.D. Kendall was a healthy 6 lbs. 13 oz and the Barnetts were back home in just two days.
In addition to Dr. Arkebauer and Dr. McFarland, Kaitlyn and Matt had high praise for many members of the care team, including Genevieve Joseph R.N., Tyler Eddy R.N., Lindsey Sparano R.N., and Amy Pierontoni R.N.
“Dr. Olsen [anesthesiologist Patrick Olsen, D.O.] was also amazing. He was up at the head of the operating table, right by my face, coaching me and helping me breathe correctly,” she said. “Our lactation consultant, [Debbie Frye, R.N.], remembered us from Miles’s birth and was great both times.”
Because of her risk level, Kaitlyn was also seen by the maternal-fetal medicine team, including Robin Myers, R.N., at Inspira for both pregnancies.
“Robin was terrific,” she said. “Her bedside manner is fantastic!”
Kaitlyn was so comfortable this time around that she agreed to allow two nursing students to be present in the OR to observe.
“That’s how you learn,” Kaitlyn said.
Matt said that the experience this time was significantly different for him as well.
“I was in the operating room this time, so I was able to cut the umbilical cord and see Kendall immediately. Hearing how everyone in the OR worked together was awesome. In law enforcement, teamwork is everything. The individuals in that OR all knew exactly what they were doing and they communicated with each other constantly. It was a very soothing environment.”
The whole experience was so positive that the couple allowed a photographer from a Philadelphia newspaper, which was doing a story about Inspira, to come into their room to photograph them only about two hours after Kaitlyn had her c-section.
Now settled in at home, the family is doing very well.
Kaitlyn said, “Miles is obsessed with his little sister. He wants to hold her and kiss her and help feed her all the time. He even insists on taking her diapers to the trash can for her!”