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Seated in front left to right: Christopher Baldwin, MD, obstetrics and gynecology; Derek holding Colt; Sammantha holding Hunter; Kristina Grant, DO, family medicine and obstetrics physician. Standing left to right: Frank Steelman, EMS director; Trista Decker, surgery; Andy Dean, CRNA; Kim Jordan, RN; Shelly Hawkins, med surg director; Amy Mills, RN; William Errico, DO, family medicine physician; Angie Gimpel, social services; Kambree Stilley, RN; Jamie Terrill, RN. Not pictured: Jennifer Terrill, Dr. Steve Hawkins, Shelly Beck, Lauren Toman, Nicole Hohner, Crystal Finley
Derek, Sammantha, and baby Hunter Bemis from Salem hold a special place in the hearts of our TCMH staff.
On Tuesday, March 25, when Sammantha was 35 weeks and two days into her pregnancy, she believed she was experiencing back labor. Concerned, she and Derek went to the emergency room where she was met by her healthcare provider, Christopher Baldwin, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist, who initially suspected she might have a kidney stone or appendicitis since it wasn’t time for her to deliver.
“Sammantha was too ill to send home,” Dr. Baldwin recounted. “While we awaited the results of her blood work, she had a seizure due to high blood pressure. It was then determined that she had preeclampsia, and a C-section was necessary. From that point, Sammantha’s condition rapidly declined. Her temperature dropped to 96 degrees, which was concerning. The blood work revealed elevated liver enzymes, and we knew we had to act quickly.”
Dr. Baldwin performed an emergency C-section with a room full of staff from various departments within the hospital. Baby Hunter was delivered at 9:16 a.m., weighing 4 pounds 15 ounces and measuring 17 ¾ inches long. Due to Sammantha’s declining health, she received life-saving blood transfusions. Dr. Baldwin arranged for an air transfer to St. Louis, where Sammantha recovered and was released the following Monday, March 31.
Baby Hunter was transferred to the NICU in St. Louis, where he stayed for fourteen days before going home and joining his family, including his two brothers, Colt, 3, and River, 1, on April 9. Both Sammantha and Hunter are doing well.
“The situation couldn’t have worked out any better,” Derek said. “We were exactly where we needed to be and are thankful for TCMH.”
We are incredibly happy for the Bemis family and deeply grateful that Sammantha and Hunter are healthy and thriving. We extend our heartfelt thanks to them for trusting TCMH with the prenatal care and delivery of their precious son.
Additionally, we are extremely proud of our staff and how they united as a team to care for this special mother and son. The teamwork displayed was exceptional, and we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome for this wonderful family.
