CentraState - Healthy Directions

Rebecca Cipriano, MD, board-certified OB/GYN Julie Leizer, MD, board- certified OB/GYN Susan Pacana, MD, board-certified OB/GYN the difficulty she had conceiving Sarina, now a 10-year-old fifth grader. She and Anudeep had turned to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for her first pregnancy. "We were a happy family," says Sonia, who runs a wedding and event planning business called Elegant Celebrations. "We had a beautiful, healthy child, and we didn't want to go the IVF route again." Dr. Cipriano says that beginning at about age 32, it becomes harder for a woman to conceive because of a decline in the quality and quantity of her eggs. Yet, she says she's seen many women in their 30s and 40s who've had success when they've least expected it. "There are a million factors that go into whether a woman is able to become pregnant—some we know, like existing medical conditions, but also some we don't know," Dr. Cipriano says. "It's often when people are not especially trying to become pregnant that it happens." Despite their surprise at becoming pregnant, Sonia and Anudeep were sure of one thing—they once again wanted to deliver their baby at CentraState. GIVING BIRTH AT CENTRASTATE Sonia says her first experience at CentraState in August 2005, with the birth of Sarina, couldn't have been better considering the circumstances. She was planning on a natural delivery but encountered complications and had to have an emergency Cesarean section. Mom and baby did very well and left the hospital within three days. "The nurses were absolutely wonderful in taking care of me and taking the time to explain to me what was going on," Sonia says. "At one point, I lost my temper and they remained calm and comforting. It sounds funny, but they were almost motherly to me." CentraState's First Impressions Maternity Center is a state- of-the-art facility with advanced technology equipped to deal with high-risk deliveries if needed and a neonatologist and anesthesiologist on site at all hours—all while providing a high level of personal care. In addition to board-certified OB/GYNs, nurses and lactation consultants are available to help guide moms and families through any problems or questions. Sonia says her caregivers took the time to help her learn everything from how to hold her baby during breastfeeding to how to swaddle a baby for better sleep. "It's a very comfortable community hospital environment for our patients," Dr. Cipriano says. "For our babies, whatever services they need are available right here, right away." Those services include the Colette Cipriano Special Care Nursery. The eight-bed nursery's neonatologists provide a high level of care for babies born at 32 weeks or older. The nursery is named after Dr. Cipriano's daughter, who was born prematurely. Colette spent the first two months of her life in the special care nursery and is now a healthy 11-year-old. A SPECIAL DELIVERY Because of her age and past history of miscarriages, Sonia was closely monitored during her pregnancy for any potential health problems for her or for the baby. Fortunately, she was able to carry the baby to nearly full term and had a scheduled Cesarean section at CentraState with two of Dr. Cipriano's practice partners at Healthy Woman, Susan Pacana, MD, FACOG, and Julie Leizer, MD, FACOG, both board- certified OB/GYNs. Aneil Dhaliwal was born on February 17— a big, healthy baby boy at 8 pounds, 9 ounces. "It was truly a blessing," Anudeep says. "We were always worried about Sonia's health, and I am glad both mommy and baby are healthy." Once back at home, baby Aneil quickly bonded with his big sister, Sarina. "I am super excited about my new brother," she says. "I always wanted a little brother and am so happy he is here." While the Dhaliwals are excited about their new addition, Sonia says their unexpected pregnancy experience has also left them with a new respect for things that can't be explained. Anudeep, a network engineer with Verizon Communications Inc., has volunteered for a couple of years to help St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Hoboken set up a computer network. It was only after Sonia was pregnant that the Dhaliwals learned that St. Ann is the patron saint of women in labor. To learn more about our maternity center and to schedule a tour, call 732-308-0570 or visit www.centrastate.com/maternity. For more information about CentraState's OB/GYNs or for a referral, visit www.centrastate.com/obgyn call 866-CENTRA7 (866-236-8727). HD "There are a million factors that go into whether a woman is able to become pregnant— some we know, like existing medical conditions, but also some we don't know. It's often when people are not especially trying to become pregnant that it happens." – Dr. Rebecca Cipriano www.centrastate.com Spring 2016 13

• Cover