Pregnancy Care: Desma's Story

“I was in a beautiful private delivery suite at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital and the care team was excellent,” says Desma, shown here with daughters Alyssah and Alaiviah.

Four years ago, New Yorkers Desma and Moses Nesmith and their now 6-year-old daughter Alaiviah embarked on a new journey. They picked up their lives and moved south to Montgomery County and to exciting opportunities for their family. Moses made great strides in his banking career. Desma was working as a nursing assistant and on her master’s degree in health administration. Best of all, by mid-2015 they were expecting their second child.

Halfway through the pregnancy, Desma experienced unexpected complications. “My first pregnancy was uneventful,” Desma says. “So I was surprised. But I had done my research when I first moved here, and found just the right obstetrical practice. I knew I was in very good hands.”

When premature labor sent Desma to Holy Cross Hospital’s emergency room more than once, Aliya Poshni, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, was at her side.

“Desma was beginning to dilate long before she should,” Dr. Poshni explains. “My goal was to delay delivery for as long as possible—and ensure the best outcome for the baby, Desma and Moses. So I put Desma on bed rest weeks before her due date.”

The Nesmiths followed doctor’s orders—juggling child care, work and the stress of these unexpected circumstances. “We were nervous, but I felt so confident about my doctors and I was looking forward to giving birth close to home at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital,” Desma says.

Desma had also developed high blood pressure and needed to have a scheduled delivery. A few days before Christmas, Desma and Moses arrived at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital. “I was in a beautiful private delivery suite, and the care team was excellent. I was anxious about the induction process, but they reassured me. The team took their time to explain what would happen step-by-step,” she says.

Desma gave birth to a healthy baby girl. A few days later, mom and baby Alyssah came home and a happy big sister and a relieved Dad celebrated an extra special Christmas together.

More Babies, Added Experience

Alyssah is one of more than 9,800 babies born at Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital each year. “Holy Cross Hospital delivers more babies and cares for more newborns with complex medical issues than any other hospital in Maryland or the District of Columbia,” says Eric M. Ashkin, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and vice president of the Medical Staff, Holy Cross Hospital.

“The same quality of maternity services available at Holy Cross Hospital is also found at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, expanding access to the outstanding maternity commitment, skill and expertise for which Holy Cross is known,” says V. Ashok Rangnath, MD, chairman, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital.

The Neonatal Unit at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital is able to care for babies who are born two months early or who require being V. Ashok Rangnath, MD on a ventilator for less than 24 hours a day. If a newborn requires more intensive care after the first 24 hours following birth, parents may transfer their baby to Holy Cross Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which provides more complex, high-risk newborn care than any other hospital in Maryland or the District of Columbia.