From miscarriage to motherhood: one local woman’s inspirational journey 

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Pregnancy can bring great joy, but for some women, it begins with heartbreak. This was true for Birmingham native, Bobbie Lee, whose journey into motherhood started with a miscarriage. 

Little did she know then that a rainbow was just around the corner. 

Meet Bobbie Lee

What started as a heavy menstrual cycle turned out to be something unexpected. 

“I went to urgent care because I was sick. It was there I learned I had been pregnant and was having a miscarriage.”

Bobbie Lee

After receiving the news, she knew she needed to see an obstetrician. On the recommendation of a friend, she scheduled an appointment with Dr. Clayton, OBGYN, with Cahaba Medical Care at Princeton Baptist Hospital in Birmingham.

Cahaba Medical Care is a local community-based nonprofit whose mission is to serve all who need healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay, and to provide compassionate, high-quality care. They offer comprehensive care to all ages, including pediatric services, dental care and behavioral health services, and for patients like Bobbie, women’s health care.

Although Bobbie’s first pregnancy didn’t go as planned, she and her husband didn’t let it stop them from trying again, despite having concerns. 

“After going through a miscarriage, I was worried about losing another baby. So I wanted to have a doctor who listened to me and reassured me.”

Bobbie Lee

Dr. Clayton was the perfect choice because of her patient-centered approach to care, which she prioritizes with each of her patients.

“I want our pregnant moms to feel empowered in their pregnancy and postpartum phase. From the beginning, I want to encourage them to think about what they want regarding their pregnancy, labor and delivery.” 

Dr. Yocunda Clayton, OBGYN, Cahaba Medical Care

This personalized, attentive care made all the difference for Bobbie during her pregnancy.

“Dr. Clayton and the team did a wonderful job providing me with personalized care. Whenever I had a medical problem and felt like I needed a checkup on my baby, I always got quick responses from the team and Dr. Clayton. They never made me feel inferior for any of my concerns.”

Bobbie Lee

A rainbow ending

Pregnancy involves a lot of planning, from choosing the right doctor to creating a birth plan. 

Cahaba Medical Care currently delivers at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, and they offer something special: Birth Wishes. 

It’s a free service allowing patients to make all their wishes known for a “perfect birth”. You can include things like whether you want medication or want skin-to-skin contact with your baby as soon as it’s born. 

“It’s really important that patients have open and honest conversations with their doctors or providers. Birth Wishes are a way to make sure patients are heard.

By the time my patients have filled out their Birth Wishes, the nurses and I already know their plans. Then, during delivery, I’m there to support you, and you are there to speak for yourself and what you want. That’s where that empowerment comes from, that I want all of my patients to have.”

Dr. Yocunda Clayton, OBGYN, Cahaba Medical Care

But what if plans have to change in order to keep mom and baby safe?

Dr. Clayton had some words of encouragement for women whose birth plans change. 

“Sometimes, patients feel like it’s a disappointment if their birth plan doesn’t go exactly as they expected, like if you get an epidural when you had originally planned not to. 

But that’s okay. It’s part of the process. It’s about being open and allowing your body to get what it needs.” 

Dr. Yocunda Clayton, OBGYN, Cahaba Medical Care

After a few pregnancy ups and downs and a successful labor and delivery, Bobbie and her husband finally got their rainbow: a healthy baby girl named Juniper. 

“Being a mother is the greatest thing I could have ever asked for. For others going through similar situations: it’s worth it.”

Bobbie Lee

Women’s services offered at Cahaba Medical Care

Women’s health services are available at all Cahaba Medical Care health center locations, and prenatal care is available at seven locations.

Here are some of the services they provide:

• Annual exams
• Birth control/contraception options
• Endometriosis
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Pediatric services
• Pregnancy testing + counseling 
• STD testing

See the full list of services. 

Health centers are located in West End, Bessemer, Ensley and 24 other communities across Birmingham and Central Alabama. Find your nearest location.

For more information about Cahaba Medical Care’s services and how to schedule an appointment, visit their website.

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