Brittany Copus was admittedly nervous when she learned she would be having her second child at an unfamiliar hospital during an international pandemic. Because her obstetrician had recently joined our ministry, she was set to give birth at Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital. However, Brittany was not able to visit the labor and delivery unit in advance due to COVID-19 visitor restrictions.
“I went into it apprehensive and nervous. But I ended up having a great experience,” the Findlay, OH resident shares. “The first thing I was surprised by was how quiet it was. Very calming. Then we got into our room and everything was updated. The staff that came in was absolutely wonderful.”
Tiffin Hospital in the Toledo, OH area was recently named to Newsweek’s 2020 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals. The distinction recognizes facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Tiffin Hospital was one of fewer than 250 to receive this prestigious honor.
Even though she didn’t know this about Tiffin Hospital prior to her son’s birth, Brittany says she’s not surprised by the recognition. From the moment she entered until when she left with her baby, Brittany felt like family.
“I could feel right away that it was more family-focused. I really appreciated that,” she says.
Brittany and her husband, Daniel, had previously experienced the birth of their daughter at another hospital in the area. Because she was having a planned Cesarean birth, Brittany expected a similar experience to the birth of her daughter. This first birth was also a C-section and had happened just 18 months earlier. However, Brittany says the difference between this first birth and the second at Tiffin Hospital was night and day.
“They went above and beyond to make it a more personal experience. In my first delivery, I felt very removed from the situation. It was not a good experience for me,” she says. “I had prepared myself for something similar, but this was entirely different. They didn’t do any measurements right away. I was the first one to do skin-to-skin and my family was able to stay with me the entire time.”
Milo Copus was born on August 3, 2020, weighing 9 pounds, 4.9 ounces, and measuring 22 inches. Brittany says her care team, which included Dr. Carmen F Doty-Armstrong and Midwife Brittney Rettig from Mercy Health – Findlay Obstetrics and Gynecology, helped guide her along the way. She also notes the kindness of the nurses on the labor and delivery team. Additionally, the patience and knowledge of her lactation consultant, Emily Arredondo, elevated things far beyond her expectations.
“I feel like hospitals can be a little cold sometimes. Everyone at Tiffin was super personable,” Brittany says. “I feel like they all offered numerous times to go above and beyond to help me and support me.”
Learn more about our women’s health services and find a provider near you at Mercy Health.
