Stephanie King, RN, BSN, didn’t always see herself as a nurse. Growing up in Youngsville, she first pursued a path in cosmetology, earning her license and making people feel their best.
But nursing was in her blood. Her mother worked as a labor and delivery nurse for more than 40 years, and Stephanie found herself drawn to the same profession. After a heartfelt conversation with her mom, she enrolled at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and graduated with a bachelor’s in nursing.
Stephanie spent three years working in labor and delivery. She yearned for more — more time, more connection, more continuity. “I wanted to be there for my patients through their entire journey, not just during the 12-hour shifts,” Stephanie says.
The role of pregnancy navigator at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital became the perfect fit. It allows her to be with mothers through their entire maternity journey, from the moment they discover they are expecting to the day they bring their babies home.
“Being a resource, support person, that really is what makes my heart happy,” Stephanie says. “I’m grateful to be here, and in many ways, I was meant to be in this position.”
Guiding Through Uncertainty: Brittany’s High-Risk Pregnancy
One mom Stephanie helped was Brittany, a 34-year-old pregnant with her second child. The pregnancy was filled with unexpected challenges.
Having delivered her first child at another hospital, Brittany knew she wanted a different experience this time. Brittany, also a team member at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, chose to deliver where she works.
“I wanted to have more of a voice when it came to my care, and I knew I would get it delivering here,” she says.
During Brittany’s pregnancy, a routine anatomy scan at 19 weeks revealed a dip in her baby’s heart rate and later, an arachnoid cyst on her baby’s brain. These findings were concerning, and Brittany’s pregnancy quickly shifted from low-risk to high-risk. That’s when Stephanie stepped in as Brittany’s pregnancy navigator.
“Stephanie became a constant support during that stressful time,” Brittany says. Stephanie was also mindful of Brittany’s privacy as a team member and provided emotional support. “She made sure everything about our situation was kept perfectly private.”
Stephanie coordinated with the NICU, high-risk doctors and other specialized teams to make sure Brittany and her daughter received the best possible care. When Brittany was overwhelmed by the presence of palliative care during a meeting, Stephanie advocated for a smaller team of specialists, which eased Brittany’s fears.
A Steady Hand During Birth and Beyond
Stephanie was with Brittany when her second daughter, Piper, was born. Piper had two NICU stays in her first month, but thanks to the support from Stephanie and the teams at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, she’s now thriving.
Stephanie’s role didn’t end with Piper’s birth. She continued to check on Brittany and Piper, even offering to drive to Baton Rouge when Piper was transferred to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital for surgery. Seven months later, Stephanie remains connected with Brittany, a testament to the deep connections she forms with the families she navigates.
“I will forever be indebted to Stephanie and everything she’s done for my family,” Brittany says.
A Lifeline for Expecting Mothers: The Impact of a Pregnancy Navigator
For Brittany, having Stephanie as her pregnancy navigator made all the difference.
“Having someone in your corner who knows the ins and outs of the labor and delivery world, what classes and resources are available, it truly makes a huge difference,” Brittany says. She recommends the service to any expectant mother, whether they are high-risk, first-time moms or simply looking for guidance.
Stephanie works with moms as early as their fourth week of pregnancy, and she encourages any expecting mom in Acadiana who is looking for support to give her a call.
As pregnancy navigator, Stephanie embodies our health system’s promise to be with mothers through all maternity, ensuring that every step of their journey is supported and that no mother ever feels alone.
