Blair Goldberg
Blair Goldberg and Allison Scherich, two actors, have more in common than careers in the theater. Years ago, both delivered babies at Mount Sinai West. And both were so moved by their experiences, they are now pursuing new careers in labor and delivery nursing.
Blair progressed through labor rapidly, a situation that requires careful monitoring.
“My labor and delivery nurse, Keira Downes Vogel , was wonderful. Calm, cool, and collected,” she says, “Keira kept watch and alerted my wonderful physician, Richard Wind, MD, as I was dilating so quickly. I had not wanted a natural childbirth, but my son Nolan had other ideas. Keira was positive and motivating and helped me get through my apprehension.”
Blair was also focused on breastfeeding as she had experienced difficulties after the birth of her first child and wanted to nurse right away.
“You could say I was obsessed,” she says. “I was determined not to repeat that failed attempt.” She credits Kristen Giordano, BSN, Nurse Manager for Maternal Child Health at Mount Sinai West, for making it happen.
“Kristen made sure I was introduced to a lactation consultant right away, and she gave me her personal cell number so I could call if there were any delays or any other problems. Kristen didn’t wait for my call, but checked on me during the day to make sure everything was going well. She also arranged for a second lactation consultant whom I had researched before my delivery and was known for her expertise, to see me shortly before my discharge. That meant the world to me.”
Allie Scherich, right, and Kristen Giordano, BSN. Photos taken prior to the pandemic.
Allie Scherich’s labor and delivery process was not so quick. Pregnant with twins, she experienced complications due to preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure in the mother-to-be. At twenty-eight weeks, Allie was admitted, and she was in and out of Mount Sinai West for the next six weeks.
She also has high praise for Kristen. “This was an incredibly scary time for me. It was my first pregnancy, and Kristen made me feel cared for; I did not feel like a number. She also looked out for my husband, and got to know him, making sure he was informed and comfortable.”
Allie is appreciative of the entire team. “I had a seizure after birth and my babies had to be cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Everyone on the antepartum floor was incredibly kind, and saw me through this challenging time.”
Allie describes her treatment at Mount Sinai West as “highly personal.” She adds, “I felt like I was at a community hospital, not a big city medical center.”
Blair and Allie say they want to provide other new moms with care similar to the care they received.
For Blair, the decision to go into nursing was based on a number of factors. “I have loved my acting career but the pandemic put me out of work indefinitely, and I began to think about my other passions and interests,” she says. “I have never forgotten my experience at Mount Sinai West and I am so excited to work towards my nursing license.”
Allie is in her second semester of the nursing program at Concordia College and echoes the sentiment. “I definitely got the bug to be a labor and delivery nurse from my experience at Mount Sinai West. It made such an impact on me; I want to do the same for others.”
Allie Scherich’s twin babies