GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Being stuck in a hospital bed is never a fun experience.
That is especially true for pregnant women with complications or high-risk pregnancies that land them in the hospital for an extended stay until they safely deliver their child.
To uplift spirits and make the stay better, Corewell Health brought a spa day in for their patients.
"A lot of our patients are here for several days, but most of our patients are here for several weeks, all the way up to several months until they can safely deliver," said Jenna Hernandez, nurse manager for the women's unit at Corewell Health.
Hayley Cogswell's water broke at 26 weeks pregnant. She has already been admitted to the hospital for two weeks, with a plan to stay until 34 weeks to deliver.
"It’s hard to explain how you’re feeling when you’re here this long and away from your family and kids and everything else," said Cogswell.
She was getting her nails done when 13 ON YOUR SIDE spoke with her. The spa day also happened to be her birthday.
"It helps me feel better," said Cogswell. "Like a pick-me-up. Something to do."
Corewell Health and Design 1 Salon Spa partnered with the Corewell Health Foundation to bring spa services to patients free of charge.
This is the second time staff from Design 1 visited the hospital to do hair, nails, facials and massages. The goal is to do these services once a month for as long as they can.
"This is our second time and the first time, we just had a huge response," said Graham Walt, COO of Design 1 Salon Spa. "My staff really enjoyed going to see these ladies. Some haven't had their hair done in a couple weeks and they're kind of stuck in their hospital room, stuck on this floor. It just kind of uplifts your spirits. You kind of feel normal again."
Lindsay Steele went into anaphylactic shock at 34 weeks pregnant. She was transferred from the intensive care unit to the antepartum unit. She received a facial which she called, "amazing."
"This is literally the best," said Steele "I was looking forward to it all night. I was. Really made my day."
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