Through the eyes of an OB doctor

Recently I sat down with Melissa Bayne, DO, with Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s OB/GYN Clinic, to speak about family, birthing and her experiences. What I received was much more.

Samantha: Tell us about yourself.

Dr. Bayne: I am an obstetrician and gynecologist practicing at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial. I see patients in Fremont and Grant. I am blessed to work with an amazing team of dedicated professionals who care deeply about taking great care of the women of our rural area in a holistic approach to care.

I am a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). I graduated from Central Michigan University Honors College with a Bachelor of Science degree. I was then provided an opportunity to study abroad at Cambridge University in England during my undergraduate training. I received my osteopathic medical degree from Midwestern University in Illinois. My internship and residency training was completed with Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am board certified in OB/GYN and very thankful for all of the people who participated in my 12 years of college and medical training.

I met my husband at CMU. He is a country boy who grew up on a local farm and has been successful in converting this city girl into loving and working in a rural area. I have three young boys. My amazing mother-in-law helps us care for them when I am fulfilling my calling of doctoring.

Samantha: What made you decide to deliver babies?

Dr. Bayne: My first exposure was through my mother who is a labor and delivery nurse. She took me to work for “Take our Daughters to Work Day” when I was 15 years old. During that day I was given the opportunity to see a baby being born. In medical school, I was amazed by my first rotation in OB/GYN. I got to deliver a baby, assist in surgery, talk to a young girl about birth control, and an older woman about menopause. I left every day with the desire to come back to learn more—despite the extremely hard work. I had many mentors advise me to not go into OB/GYN because the lifestyle is so demanding—I could not imagine doing anything else. Ten years later I have learned that this career is 10 times harder than I ever thought it would be. Nevertheless, it’s also 100 times more rewarding.

Samantha: What’s your favorite part of your job?

Dr. Bayne: There is no greater blessing than getting to see a newborn take his or her first breath of life in my hands.

Samantha: Is there anything about your job that surprises you? If so, what?

Dr. Bayne: I am surprised and humbled daily. People are complicated and dynamic. No one is a text book or a multiple choice question. There is no black and white. I am surprised by the trust that is given to me even when I am a complete stranger to a new patient. A woman will share more secrets, fears and complaints with me within 10 minutes of an office visit than she may have shared with her spouse or best friend. It’s a privilege to be the holder of this information and a duty to take this information and help my patients find holistic health.

Samantha: What are the top three things you want pregnant women to know?

Dr. Bayne:

1. The importance of preparing for pregnancy. If you can see a women’s health provider at the time you are considering pregnancy, please do so. Being able to modify for risk factors such as quit smoking and being at a healthy weight is important. We are able to address family and medical history issues that can help with a successful pregnancy. Start a prenatal vitamin with folic acid before getting pregnant.

2. Pregnancy is different for every woman in every way—each pregnancy is unique. Comparing yourself to other women can sometimes help you feel reassured, but it can also create unfair expectations of what should or should not be happening.

3. My checklist for a healthy pregnancy:
   1. Have a preconception family planning visit.
   2. Be at your best physical and emotional health before getting pregnant and start taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid and DHA.
   3. If you have an unplanned pregnancy and did not get to do A and B—see an obstetrical provider right away to help plan for a healthy pregnancy.
   4. Get regular prenatal care from a provider you trust.
   5. Take child birth education and breast feeding classes.
   6. Seeing a chiropractor or osteopathic manipulative medicine doctor during pregnancy can help with pregnancy comfort, successful vaginal delivery, and postpartum recovery. They can also help with neonatal, holistic care.
   7. Plan for an amazing birth and trust your body to be able to have one.
   8. Talk with your provider about back up plans if complications arise during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. You can have a plan, but Mother Nature and babies do not always follow it. At Gerber Memorial, we have a hospital birth plan for both “planned” vaginal and cesarean births. This helps us work with you to meet you and your baby’s needs for a successful and healthy birth experience.

Samantha: Is there anything you were surprised about, after your schooling, with your own pregnancies/deliveries?

Dr. Bayne: I was surprised at how much I disliked being pregnant. I love taking care of pregnant women, but I did not love being pregnant. I was horribly sick and my schedule was not really in-line with enjoying the experience of growing life. I was also surprised at the support I received from my family, friends, coworkers, doctors and nurses. I have always been a very independent and Type A person. Having to slow down and rely on help from others was not easy for me, but it taught me that being able to accept help is just as important as being able to give it.

I also learned a lot about myself with my natural birth experience of my third son. With my first delivery, I wanted an epidural before my labor started. With my third pregnancy I went into the delivery really wanting to have as natural an experience as possible. I was scared going into it because I was afraid I would fail. I was afraid I would be too weak.

Of course, in retrospect, I knew even if I did end up wanting or needing an epidural, my birth experience would still have been a success with the amazing team caring for me. Nevertheless, I am proud of myself for trusting in my body and being able to bring him into the world naturally.