Emily found out she was pregnant at 19, in the middle of her sophomore year at the University of Louisiana Monroe. She knew her life was about to change in ways she couldn’t fully predict.
What she didn’t expect, however, was how beautifully her journey into motherhood would unfold — starting with the birth of her son, Bentley, and continuing through her experience with breastfeeding, all with support from the team at St. Francis Health.
Welcoming Bentley
Bentley’s birth last August marked the beginning of Emily’s new chapter.
After her induction, Emily expected a lengthy labor experience, but Bentley was born the same morning she was induced.
The compassionate and knowledgeable care Emily received left a lasting impression.
“Everyone was so educational and really took the time to explain everything to me, which made a huge difference,” she says. “I had a phenomenal team.”
Emily has high praise for her labor & delivery nurse, Deanna, RN, who was calm and direct when things got intense.
“At one point she thought she felt the umbilical cord during a cervical check, and she immediately got me moving to help Bentley reposition,” Emily says. “Everything went smoothly, and I had Benny that morning.”
Breastfeeding: Overcoming Fears and Finding Success
Like many new moms, Emily had concerns about breastfeeding.
“Social media shows a lot of the bad — cracked nipples, pain, difficulty latching,” she says. “I was really nervous, especially as a first-time mom. I had everything planned out, just in case Bentley didn’t latch, but it honestly went pretty smoothly. As soon as he came out, he was rooting and latched on beautifully.”
Emily and Bentley enjoyed the golden hour together — that first hour of a baby’s life that can maximize bonding and the chance of breastfeeding success.
Emily also credits the lactation consultant at St. Francis for helping her feel confident and supported.
“She didn’t just give me one-sentence answers,” Emily says. “She explained the ‘why’ behind everything, which made all the difference.”
Challenges and Resilience: A Bumpy Road to Six Months
Emily’s breastfeeding journey wasn’t without its challenges. Bentley was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis at just six weeks old, causing projectile vomiting and leading to a stressful period of pumping and trying to maintain her milk supply.
“The stress really impacted my supply,” Emily says. “I was only able to breastfeed directly for about nine weeks, then pumped for another three months. Even though I had to stop earlier than I hoped, we made it to six months with the help of a freezer stash and some donated milk.”
Throughout it all, Emily balanced motherhood with her full-time studies.
“I was induced so I could have two weeks before school started back up,” she says. “Thankfully, we have amazing parents who have helped us tremendously.”
Support Makes All the Difference
Emily emphasizes the importance of the support she received — from her medical team to her fiancé, Cameron, who attended birthing and breastfeeding classes with her.
“Breastfeeding isn’t just one thing; it’s a team effort. Cameron and I had to work together to make it happen for our son.”
Reflecting on her experience at St. Francis, Emily feels a deep sense of gratitude.
“The staff became like family. They remembered me each time I came in,” she says. “I’m so confident in this team that I know. When I decide to have another child, this is where I want to be.”
