take effect, Dr. Kim worked with certified registered nurse anesthetist Mateo Arroliga so Christina could have a spinal nerve block. Both epidural and spinal nerve blocks involve the placement of a needle into the lower back. For epidurals, a small plastic catheter tube is threaded through the needle, the needle is withdrawn and medication is injected into the epidural space. Because the medication needs to cross the membrane surrounding the spinal cord before reaching the targeted nerves, it usually takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes for pain relief to occur. With a spinal nerve block, medication is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord. Pain relief occurs much more quickly but only lasts one to two hours. In Christina’s case, that was enough, and it allowed her to have the delivery she wanted. The pain relief allowed Christina to breathe and her body to relax so that her baby, which was stuck at the shoulders, could be born. Baby Samara joined her family weighing 8 pounds, 11 ounces, and measuring 20.75 inches long. Support comes full circle “We know how important it is to have the birth experience you want,” said Jorgensen. “Our approach is to make sure each mom has as much or as little support as she wants while also having a team ready to assist. We have everything ready to make sure our moms and babies are safe.” Christina said she was amazed at how much had changed at Kootenai Health since her sons were born. “I felt like a VIP in the labor room,” Christina said. “I told my husband we’d been upgraded! I didn’t realize how much support was available for moms. They made sure Samara never left my side. She was such a big baby, they checked her for diabetes, and because she had been stuck at her shoulders, they made sure all her limbs were OK. Everyone was just great!” Christina also found great support when it came time for Samara to nurse. Nursing had been a struggle with both of Christina’s sons, so having a lactation consultant to work with was very helpful. “My body just doesn’t produce enough milk for my babies,” Christina said. “When I asked about formula, the lactation consultant didn’t make a fuss. She was most concerned about doing what was right for Samara. They even have a phone number you can call 24/7 if you are having trouble. When we finally gave Samara a little formula, she took it right down. She was hungry!” Christina’s appreciation for her nurses has an added layer. For many years, she worked at the Idaho Department of Labor as the senior workforce consultant, helping people who wanted to become nurses (or pursue another needed profession) receive grant funds to help further their educations. On a previous trip to the emergency department, one of her sons received care from a nurse Christina had helped. Today, she continues to help people through her work as the business development and program manager at Idaho Business for Education, a group of nearly 250 businesses from across the state. Together, they are committed to transforming Idaho’s education system to create a highly educated and skilled workforce. With everyone settling in with Samara, her big brothers now argue over who gets to hold her. For now, their basketballs and bicycles are sitting idle in favor of their baby sister’s blankets and bottles. Bundles of joy See videos shared by some of our happy families, and find more to love about the safe, comfortable care of our Family Birth Center. Visit KH.org/birthing. Christina Feliciano, her two sons and baby, Samara KH.ORG 11
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