When Aimee and Bennett Poynter of Conway were deciding where to have their first child, they didn’t have to go far.

They stuck with family at Conway Regional. Aimee, who grew up in Bryant, became a second generation UCA Bear in 2011. During her time at UCA, she found a community to call home. It was here, in Conway, where Aimee and Bennett decided to stay to start their family.

She acquired both her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a master’s degree in Business Administration from UCA. In the last year, Aimee joined Insight Enterprises, a Fortune 500 IT Solutions Provider, as their corporate recruiter. Bennett works for Insight as well. He is the business development manager for Lenovo.

The couple’s choice for delivery location was aided by that fact that Aimee’s obstetrician-gynecologist, Debra Lawrence, delivers babies exclusively at the Conway Regional Women’s Center.

While the decision was easy, Aimee was having some trepidation due to statewide limitations on hospitals related to COVID-19. Only Bennett could be allowed in Labor and Delivery, so the support for the first-time mom from her mother and mother-in-law would not be available.

Dr. Lawrence and nursing staff made Aimee’s fears disappear.

“My experience was like going to a five-star hotel,” said Poynter. “It was an amazing experience during COVID.”

On June 13, she would experience triage followed by a three-hour induction of labor on June 16. She checked in at 7 AM and gave birth at 11 PM. “It was a really long day.  I pushed for almost three hours and I had a whole team of nurses and Dr. Lawrence supporting me.” Audrey Poynter was born exactly at the three-hour point. She weighed 8lbs 10 oz and was 20.75 in length at birth.

She credited nurses Tara Harris, a day shift RN, and Caitlin Doshier, a night shift RN, for getting her through the labor process. “Tara didn’t leave my side once and fielded every question. She was so sweet,” said Poynter. At shift change, Caitlin Doshier, who cared for Aimee during triage, returned to deliver Audrey.

Doshier and Dr. Lawrence helped with her labor.

Bennett described the interaction between Aimee and Dr. Lawrence as “the most entertaining experience that he had ever seen,” as they bantered back and forth about natural childbirth as Aimee labored. “She kept me from giving up on a natural delivery,” recalled Aimee. “Dr. Lawrence’s ability to keep Aimee relaxed during such a tense time was calming for me as well,” Bennett added.

Lawrence has been Aimee’s OB-Gyn since college. They formed a natural bond that allowed the good-natured coaching and teasing during labor. “She was recommended by several friends in my sorority at UCA who were going to medical school,” said Aimee. “She knew about my friends at Conway Regional and we joked a lot during my whole pregnancy. We have a light-hearted, competitive relationship.” 

Lawrence suggested that Aimee track her calorie count on her Apple watch during labor.  After a grueling three hours, Aimee finished with 1,000 calories.

“My nurses kept it calm the whole time. Pushing for three hours is a long time, but they kept checking my vitals. You know you have been in labor for a long time when the nurses are having to take bathroom breaks and rotating in and out,” said Aimee Poynter. “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I enjoyed the one-on-one time with the nurses.”

“This is the start of growing our family,” said Aimee, adding that “I cried, screamed, and was nauseous the whole time. After I delivered, I looked at Dr. Lawrence and said, ‘I want another one’”.

A brighter side of the COVID-19 limitations meant more private time for the first-time parents. “It was the start of our core family, so it was perfect. The nurses would just come sit on the bed and talk to me, and they would get Bennett coffee and take care of him. It was nice that we got to learn more about taking care of Audrey from the nurses.”

She added, “Bennett and I enjoyed the three of us bonding, praying in quiet. We were very emotional, so the fewer people the better. My husband hates to see me in pain.”

First time jitters

Poynter complimented the care provided by Lou Ann Oade, RN, another of the nurses who cared for her the first day after delivery. Annette Lasker, RN, also played a role prior to discharge. “It was the last day and I started crying and she held me,” Aimee recalled. “She said, ‘you are going to be a good mom and it’s going to be ok’ and I needed to hear that from someone.”

She praised Barbara Burgener, a lactation consultant, for help with breast feeding, which continued after discharge. LaSabra Maltbia, RN, gave Aimee a straight-forward description of what the first few months with a newborn would be like. “She shot me straight on everything, and I appreciate that. I liked hearing her stories.” As for lack of sleep, Maltbia said, “You’ll be delusional for a few days, but it will get better.”

Her first-time mom experiences did not include fear.

“I never felt unsafe,” Aimee recalled. “We had originally talked about not letting Audrey go to the nursery, but we felt so safe that we decided to let her go because we needed the sleep.” She added, “I felt especially safe because people were not coming in and out of the delivery floor. With it being shut down, there were only nurses and patients. Everyone wore a mask.”

Her advice to those worried about having their babies in the hospital is simple, “Don’t put your health care on hold.”

(Originally published in Faulkner County Lifestyle magazine)