Even Maritimers — known for being friendly, caring and helpful — couldn’t match the exceptional treatment that the healthcare team at Queensway Carleton Hospital provided to Sarah Range and her family this past February.

“As an East Coaster, getting that level of care in Ottawa was something that truly shocked me,” acknowledged Sarah of the five days she spent in hospital, recovering from severe postpartum hemorrhaging, after giving birth to her precious little George.

“It was better care than I ever would have gotten back home in Amherst, N.S.”

Sarah faced a challenging pregnancy, beginning with constant morning sickness. By her 19th week, she was placed on bedrest. At least her labour and delivery at QCH went smoothly, with her mother and her husband, Charlie, both in the room to provide their support. “Everything was great. The baby came out healthy and strong.”

It’s what happened next that was the cause for alarm. Sarah wouldn’t stop hemorrhaging, and started losing a lot of blood. The medical staff took appropriate action, including massaging Sarah’s uterus while her obstetrician, Dr. Chris Farrell, quickly stitched up Sarah’s episiotomy. The small incision had been necessary to assist in the birth of her larger baby.

Meanwhile, Sarah’s heart rate and blood pressure were dropping, and no amount of blankets could cure her intense chills. As the healthcare team prepared to whisk her off to the ICU, she grew concerned. “I asked if I was going to die,” Sarah recalled.

Her mother watched in fear as her daughter was wheeled away. As for Charlie, “He didn’t even know if there was going to be a mother for his child,” said Sarah.

The nurse managed to keep Sarah from panicking by holding her hands, maintaining eye contact and coaching her through her breathing, to keep it steady. “I was calm. I was so calm, because if I had freaked out, it could have made the situation so much worse”.

“In my opinion, I don’t know if I’d be alive if it wasn’t for her.”

Sarah eventually lost consciousness but woke up a short while later in the ICU. The healthcare workers had successfully stopped her bleeding using a medical device, and had stabilized her condition through a blood transfusion.

Over the next several days, Sarah and Charlie formed a close bond with the healthcare staff that continues to this day. “They were exceptional,” said Sarah. She especially appreciated how kind the nurses were to Charlie, who was left somewhat traumatized by the events that had unfolded before his eyes. “They went above and beyond to help him.”

The family would return, following their hospital discharge, to their home in the Kanata South neighbourhood of Bridlewood.

“We came back for the one-month visit and all the nurses wanted to see George,” said Sarah. “I came back for a lactation consultation and he’s, like, gone; the nurses have taken him, they were so excited to see him. It’s like they became a part of his family.”

For Sarah, an account executive for Ottawa cyber security firm Field Effect, her health scare gave her a new lease on life. She and Charlie have expressed their gratitude through a generous donation to QCH, honouring the healthcare workers who were there for them, every step of the way.

“I have a beautiful child and I’m super happy,” she said. “I had a great doctor and great staff, and I will continue to be thankful for the rest of my life.”