How we got here…

Welcome to our first-ever blog post. I thought it would be nice to start off with a bit of our backstory. We started Special Delivery out of a profound passion for birth- Let’s talk about how we got here…

We all met working as labor and delivery nurses in NYC. The first year becoming a labor nurse is really dedicated to learning skills and navigating the ‘medical system’ of birth. While our patient’s experience was always paramount- we spent much of our time mastering policies and procedures of the healthcare facility, and focusing on clinical care as dictated by the providers. We were learning the ropes of how to manage two patients in labor, while charting every 15 minutes, looking up policies and implementing them, and settling our nerves with every deceleration, stat c-section, or even simple questions that we just weren't sure how to answer. It didn’t leave much time for bonding with our patients or educating them the way we wanted to. We often were just trying to make it through the shift.

Over the years, we gained the knowledge, confidence and foundation needed to provide safe medical care-  and we began to open our minds to the other critical parts of birth- holistic care that involves emotions, sharing of information and physiologic support of birth. For us, that meant delving deeper into the understanding of birth, the anatomy of it all, the history of it, and how to empower patients in their own birth experiences. The birth of a child is one of the most beautiful and surreal moments of a person’s life- how could we make sure it was special for everyone?

Our learning was achieved through our real life experience- working in one of the busiest and most prestigious hospitals in New York City and attending thousands of births firsthand gave us plenty of opportunity to observe and improve our craft. We saw so many beautiful positive births, but sometimes, we were also witness to negative experiences. These negative experiences could leave us feeling powerless…How could we improve our patient’s experiences? How could we empower expectant families?

Here’s where the real work began. We dedicated ourselves to self-teaching and seeking educational and informative courses. During these transformative years, a few of us also became mothers ourselves- deepening our connection and understanding of the birth experience in a very personal way. We each went on to become certified in Childbirth Education. We’ve attended courses in obstetric nursing, fetal positioning, and more. We are continuously learning through listening and deeper exploration of childbirth philosophy, cultural competency, and a commitment to advocating for the autonomy and preferences of the birthing person. Sometimes it’s formal education, and sometimes it’s just listening to others stories- our patients, our families and friends, or the stranger we meet at the playground- every birth story is important and can teach us something. Through all of this, our practice has transformed. So much has changed since that first year as labor nurses…we feel grateful everyday to call this our “job.”

Fast forward, in 2023 we founded Special Delivery NY, taking our expertise from the bedside to the classroom. This is more than a business for us. We know that childbirth preparation empowers families to have an experience that leaves them feeling heard, safe and satisfied. By providing the information needed to make informed decisions and self-advocate, we plan to make that a reality for them. Ultimately, our journey reflects a passion for childbirth and a commitment to the well-being and autonomy of expectant families. The response we have received so far has already exceeded our expectations. We hope to continue to grow, adding more classes as well as support groups and more. Stay tuned for blog entries covering various topics around childbirth. Thanks for being on this journey with us…