Dearest Chris,

I must take the time to thank you and all of the wonderful midwives in your practice. I had been a GYN patient in Setauket for years and when I found out that I was pregnant I was happy to continue at that location. At my first pre-natal visit the midwife practice was offered to me, and I must admit I was tentative. Like many others I’ve spoken to, I was not well versed on midwifery. I assumed that I would be having the baby at home in the tub, or perhaps the couch, with my husband in the kitchen getting warm water and towels, while UPS was ringing the doorbell! Of course, it was nothing like that.

It didn’t take long to feel comfortable. I went to two “meet the midwives” sessions (once with my mom, once with my husband). There, I was able to hear all the midwives speak; see their faces; ask them questions. The tour of the hospital was fantastic. We certainly learned a lot. All of it came in handy when I went into labor and we got to Stony Brook at 3:00am. Honestly, from where to park, to how to raise the volume on the TV in the labor room!

I was in labor over 30 hours, most of which was spent at the hospital. Goldie helped me over the phone, when labor started at home. You helped me when I first got there. Susan was on shift next and helped me through half a day. Then Marie (wonderful, sweet, patient Marie) was there to help deliver my baby. You came to visit me the following afternoon in my hospital bed and Susan called me after discharge, that first week at home to see how I was feeling.

The experience couldn’t have been better and we owe it all to you and the wonderful ladies of the practice. In our health care experiences, my husband and I both consider the level of caring and understanding unmatchable.

We love being parents. It is more amazing then we could have ever imagined. When we think back on this time, we will fondly think of you and the women that were there for us along the way. 

With tears of joy,

Dear Midwives,

Words cannot describe our sincere gratitude for all you have done throughout my pregnancy, labor and delivery. You truly are "gems" of the medical profession and I am so thankful that our paths have crossed.

I am extremely grateful for you continued support and encouragement during a grueling 44 hour labor-helping me (us) to remain as positive as was possible. I am also so very thankful for you care and compassionate handling of my "special needs." You truly treat the "whole" person.

The staff at Stony Brook was exceptional. I met many of the staff during my 4-day stay and every person I encountered was equally terrific. The staff at your Islip office is also exceptional. Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I look forward to a long relationship with you and your practice.

Yours truly,
Jodi & Tom

Dear Careen, Sally, Marie and the whole Staff at Stony Brook Primary Care,

Thank God for Midwives!

You are all the best; I thank you for your most professional care before my pregnancy, during and after. Special thanks to Careen for helping me bring this beautiful boy, Sean, into the world! He is the love of our lives; we are enjoying parenthood and can't wait for you to meet him.

Thanks again
Love Jill, Will & Sean

Dear Stony Brook Midwives and Staff

Thank you so much for your outstanding care and kindness. A special thanks goes to Marie and Careen for helping me to deliver a beautiful and healthy Baby Girl! May God Bless you all!

Sincerely
Ed & Heidi

Dear Careen

I received your card in the mail today thank you!! It was very nice. It's nice to think that I had you as my midwife for the delivery. You made the whole thing much nicer. Its great to know there are people out there as special as you! Thank you again for all you have done. Sean says Hi and hopes you are doing well. Drew is coming along very well he was 21 inches and 10 pounds 4 ounces at nine days old. He's growing quickly. Breastfeeding is easier than I thought so far so good. Well thank you again and keep in touch.

Love Kim, Sean & Drew

Careen, Sally and all of the midwives,

We just wanted to say "thank you" for the outstanding care we received during my pregnancy and delivery. We met all of the midwives along the way, and all were supportive of our many "first timer" questions and concerns. A special thanks to Careen for helping me thorough a natural labor and delivery I don't think I could have done it without your positive attitude and skill. And Sally, we're glad you made it to the birth and were there to clean up the mess! We really can't say enough about how glad we are to have had all of your care and support in bringing Ella into this world.

Thank you!
Jessica and Tim

Dear Marie

I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful birth experience with Chase on October 3rd! It was the best out of all 3 and you really made all of the difference!

Thank you for being a wonderful part of our special day.

Love, Katrina & Eric

Dear Careen,

Thank you so much for your support during my labor and particularly for being there for me during and after the dreaded cesarean. I was so exhausted by the end of it that when I was presented with Max, I'm ashamed to say I didn't even want him. But I just remember you holding this face right up to mine so I couldn't ignore him and then you putting him to my breast and telling me what to do. Max and I spent New Years Eve very much bonded and very happy and we wouldn't have been so without you. We hope to see you at my check-up on the 17th, but in the meantime send you all our love and best wishes.

Lesley

Dear Christine,

We just wanted to thank you so much for all you did for us as we brought Maggie into this world last Thursday. Having met with you throughout the last ten months we felt very comfortable and educated going into the delivery process.

Thank you so much for checking up on Maggie after we returned home, and as you know, everything worked out well. Very few professionals take the time to invest in their patients or clients, and that is why the Stony Brook CNM program is so special.

Best wishes always,
Sean, Laura and Maggie

Letters from Doulas

I want to thank all of you for referring patients to me. It is a true calling for me and each birth teaches me something new. It is a pleasure working with each one of you and I always look forward to a birth at Stony Brook.

All of you have taught me so much and it gives me great joy to share that information with OBs and nurses who tend to stick to routine. I've had the best results with my husband who used to say, "That's impossible." How great is that? He will even ask me if I have any new tricks in my bag! I think it's wonderful that he and other OBs have confidence in me and accept me as part of the team that helps women birth. I owe it all to you.

I know that you are working hard to set up a doula service at the hospital and I hope that you let me know when it is going. I don't want to give up my association with you. I still want to be able to do volunteer work with the patients from Planned Parenthood. In fact, I do have a mom due soon from Riverhead.

I have had the opportunity to educate women about midwives and clear up some misconceptions they have. In fact, whenever the situation arises, I will refer a woman to you. It's amazing that the general public still thinks that all you do is deliver babies.

My wish for you is that you all have wonderful births that you get rest and you stay well. We need you!

With great affection and in the Doula Spirit,
Lisa, RN, CBE CD (DONA)