Moving to a new state towards the end of a pregnancy seems daunting, but Tehya Myers has done it twice.
When she was 36 weeks pregnant with her now-4-year-old, she and her husband, Tyler, moved from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Gillette, Wyoming.
Last year, at 34 weeks pregnant, they once again decided it was time for a change.
“We loved this area,” says Myers. “We had been to Sioux Falls a few times on vacation, and we just decided that this is where we wanted to raise our kids.”
Once they arrived in Sioux Falls, their priority was finding a health care provider.
“I posted in a Sioux Falls mom group on Facebook asking for recommendations,” says Myers. “The response was overwhelmingly Sanford Health.”
Toward the end of her first two pregnancies, Myers experienced amniotic fluid issues, so it was critical to connect with a provider who was willing to continue the care plan she had established with her doctor in Wyoming and take her concerns seriously.
In her search for recommendations, the name of one OB/GYN kept popping up – Abrea Roark, M.D.
“She had some openings, so I got set up with her,” says Myers. “It was a total breeze.”
Although her pregnancy care only lasted a few weeks, the bond with Dr. Roark was strong. Myers felt listened to and validated and knew she was going to be cared for.
Ultimately, because of complications from earlier pregnancies, the Myerses and Dr. Roark decided it was best to schedule an induction at 39 weeks and get ahead of the concerns.
Compassionate care on delivery day
Because of some scheduled time off, Dr. Roark wasn’t available on delivery day, but Anthony Sierra, M.D., was ready when the Myerses arrived.
“He came in and we figured out a game plan,” says Myers.
Even as complications started to arise, Myers recalls Dr. Sierra always explaining what was going on and asking for her consent.
“I have never received such compassionate care,” says Myers.
Due to these complications, Myers was unable to get an epidural and had an unexpectedly unmedicated birth. But luckily, registered nurses Jessica Fryer and Sara Hanson were on her care team that day.
“I could tell they were experienced and empathetic, and they really helped me realize how strong I was,” says Myers. “Their support was what got me through it.”
It wasn’t long before the Myers family welcomed their baby, Colt, into the world.
“The one thing that will stick with me forever is after I delivered and had Colt on my chest, Dr. Sierra came over, took my hand, looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful experience.’”
A trusted partner in their children’s health
In addition to finding pregnancy care, the Myerses needed a pediatrician for their two older children and now, Colt. They decided on Julia Blue, D.O.
“We found the clinic closest to us and then let our daughter pick,” says Myers.
At just 5 years old, she didn’t need to see much more than Dr. Blue’s friendly smile to make her choice.
“It was one of the best choices we could have made,” says Myers. “She listens, validates our concerns and does everything she can to figure what’s wrong.”
These qualities were especially important when Colt was about 3 months old. He had contracted rhinovirus a few weeks earlier and Myers noticed his symptoms were getting worse.
“We had been to urgent care, the emergency room, and in and out of the pediatrician’s office,” says Myers.
Myers brought Colt into the clinic five days in a row. Each day, Dr. Blue tested for something new, trying to rule out an infection. Ultimately, she agreed that Colt was getting worse and needed to be admitted to Sanford Children’s Hospital.
Without family or a strong network of friends nearby, the family’s older children had to come along.
“They were understanding that we both wanted to be there with Colt,” says Myers. “And they were so accommodating letting our older children stay.”
Myers recalls a moment with a member of the care team that sticks out in her memory.
“One night, our nurse asked if I needed a rest, and I did. I was exhausted,” says Myers. “She took care of Colt through the night so that I could sleep.”
The team didn’t just tend to Colt’s needs. They also recognized the older children and made sure they had what they needed as well. As parents, that solidified for the Myerses that their baby was in good hands.
It may have started as a suggestion from strangers on the internet, but ultimately, choosing Sanford Health ended up being a life-changing decision for the Myers family.
In the end, Colt was at Sanford Children’s Hospital for three days. Now, he’s a healthy and curious 1-year-old who loves playing with his siblings and going to the zoo. He won’t remember his time in the hospital, but it’s an experience his parents will never forget.
Learn more
- Choosing a hospital for labor and delivery
- Sanford Children’s named one of best US pediatric hospitals
- Sanford Health hospitals earn Women’s Choice Awards
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Posted In Children's, Pregnancy, Sioux Falls, Women's
