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A Wonderful Ending
written by Renee Cox

We I have a sad beginning and a wonderful ending to our story. In 2000 I had a son, Kyle, that was "stillborn" according to the doctor's statement. So a year and three months later, you could imagine how my husband, my then 5-year-old son and I felt when we learned I was pregnant again. In fact we didn't even discuss it for three days - we didn't really even speak. I was excited, my faith had led me to believe that no matter what, God always has a plan and even though I may not like it, that is the way he has planned it for us. So, with that faith I was certain that NOTHING would happen to this baby.

Of course I didn't go back to the doctor/midwife that had delivered my son, Kyle. I actually started with a new doctor, Doctor Anderson, who was wonderful, unfortunately, he only delivered at one hospital, the same one where Kyle was born, which is not someplace you would want to go back to remember and face again. So with that, I asked Dr. Anderson, who knew my situation, for a referral to someone he trusted. He gave me a name and I thought I would also try a couple of others just to feel everything out and make sure I got a great doctor. I made trips to Maryland and Richmond, (well, half-way to Richmond, I decided that was really just too far) and just couldn't find a doctor that made me feel 100% positive about him.

So I took Dr. Anderson's advice and checked out Dr. Adler at the Stafford office (which still was a drive but well worth it). My first impression was wonderful, the office was clean and looked well taken care of. The nurses and receptionist were friendly and not because they had to be, but because that seemed to be their natures. Dr. Adler was very interested in what my situation was and very understanding on ALL of my concerns, questions, and demands - yes I was going to be a difficult patient with any doctor or midwife that was delivering any more of my children - and he was fine with that. I knew from that moment that I had a wonderful doctor.

I only wanted to see Dr. Adler for my pregnancy because I was real timid about seeing other doctors or midwives in the office. When Dr. Colon was joining The Adler Center, all I could think was here we go, now I am going to be shuffled back and forth and I will be just another woman having a baby. But that didn't happen. I did see Dr. Colon and I did visit the midwife, Rita-Marie, but I was never treated like another woman having a baby or a chart number. I was treated with respect and as if I was the most important person at my doctor visits there, even when I was probably over-reacting over a little cold. They still didn't make me feel like a burden to them. I was so impressed that I brought my mother and sister in on one of my visits to show them how well I was being treated.

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So, over the next few months I became so comfortable that I actually relaxed with this pregnancy which took a lot, but I had a lot of help with that (Dr. Adler and faculty), and on August 3, 2002, a week earlier than my planned C-Section, our baby girl, Emily, decided it was time to visit. Dr. Colon delivered her. With all the nervousness and anxiety I had, a part of me had all the faith in this doctor and the midwife who I actually requested to be there, (even though I had no good things in the past happen with a midwife), I couldn't have asked for anything better. I knew in my heart that I was in wonderful hands and now my heart as well as my families' is full again with joy.
I just wanted someone to know that The Adler Center for Women's Health, whether they know it or not, were my heros. I want to tell them all THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. And God Bless each one, for he has already blessed me.