Lauren Zinns, MD, and her daughter
It’s not every day that a doctor can say that she had experience “on the other side” of things.
Lauren Zinns, MD has worked as a pediatric emergency medicine physician at The Mount Sinai Hospital since 2016. It wasn’t until she was pregnant with her third daughter that she got a taste of what it truly feels like to be a patient in need. At only 27 weeks gestation, after coming home from a shift in the Emergency Department, she began bleeding. Her husband rushed her to Labor and Delivery at The Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was immediately admitted for monitoring with the possibility of delivering that evening.
“I remember feeling very frightened and overwhelmed,” Dr. Zinns says, “as this was all very unexpected. I had felt perfectly fine leading up to this.” While she did not deliver that night, it was a very frightening experience to say the least. “Fortunately, for me, I learned that the antepartum floor at Mount Sinai is filled with the most caring and compassionate people I have ever met. They made me feel at ease during what I can honestly say was one of the scariest nights of my life. They guided me through the process with grace and were by my side during my time of need.”
Dr. Zinns stayed on the antepartum, or pre-delivery, floor for almost three weeks. “It was difficult being away from my family, but I was surrounded by the most wonderful team of nurses, physicians, technicians, social workers, support associates, housekeeping, and kitchen staff. The visits throughout the day to make sure my spirits were high were especially welcome. I felt very supported through all of the highs and lows.”
“One of the highlights for me was the robust Child Life team. From the Child Life specialists, the art therapists, music therapists, and pet therapists, I was entertained on a daily basis with fun activities to keep my mind off of things and help me feel connected to my family at home. They even gave me numerous ideas for what to do for my two daughters at home who were not able to visit me, including writing them letters and making them crafts from their baby sister.
Two weeks before she anticipated, Dr. Zinns delivered her third daughter, who was immediately placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It was not the uncomplicated birth she had hoped for, but she has only appreciation for her Labor and Delivery team. “I can honestly say I have never met such a caring, more compassionate group of providers in my life. They cared for me as if I was their close friend or relative. They made sure my questions were answered and my fears were addressed.”
Her daughter stayed in the NICU seven weeks working on feeding and growing. Again, the compassionate and skilled care by an expert team was invaluable for her. “I would highly recommend everyone on the antepartum, postpartum, and NICU teams. The entire experience was very humbling to say the least, but I am truly in awe of the care that I received at Mount Sinai. I am eternally grateful.”