Frankfort Regional Medical Center

On July 23, 2017, Leah Halliday Johnson's labor began in a typical fashion: She started experiencing contractions, and when they became more frequent and consistent that evening, her husband took her to Frankfort Regional. "We checked in, and I was hooked up to the monitors, but the contractions weren't registering," Leah says. "I wasn't dilated beyond one centimeter, so we thought we had quite a bit of time." Leah's husband left to get dinner, but she soon began having heavy contractions. She went from one centimeter to fully dilated and ready to deliver in 30 minutes. A PHYSICIAN'S INSTINCT That same night, Amanda Hess, DO, OB-GYN at Frankfort Regional, had checked in to the hospital to be induced. She was already in her gown and preparing to get her blood drawn when her husband heard a woman in labor down the hall. "I perked up and checked the monitor in my room," Dr. Hess says. "I saw someone in labor, and that during the contractions the baby's heart rate would drop. So when the nurse came to do my assessment, I asked if they needed help." The physician on call was on his way to the hospital. Without hesitating, Dr. Hess suited up. The gown she put on was too long, and her protective surgical boots covered her flip-flops, but she was ready to assist in the delivery. When Dr. Hess entered Leah's room—only two doors down—she recognized her from a prenatal appointment a week before. "The doctor on call was driving back, but I didn't think it needed to wait anymore," Dr. Hess explains. "I said to Leah, 'If you don't mind, let's break your water and have this baby.'" Leah's husband returned to find Dr. Hess in action. She broke Leah's water, and in just a few pushes Leah gave birth to her fourth child. "What Dr. Hess did is an affirmation that there are people out there who are willing to step up and help even when they have every right to look after themselves," Leah says. "It makes me feel better about having a daughter, to see great women like her in the world." Dr. Hess gave birth to her second child the next morning. She recently returned to work after her maternity leave. Two expectant mothers visited Frankfort Regional Medical Center to give birth. One of them happened to deliver the other's child. Â To schedule an appointment with an OB-GYN at Frankfort Regional, call Consult-A-Nurse at 877-FRMC-MD1 (877-376-2631). Amanda Hess, DO OB-GYN Transition A Quick Search "iEiZPEU9ZsM" to watch Dr. Hess discuss why she became a doctor. 3

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