Here for You and Your Baby — One Local Mom’s Story
July 2, 2025
Monica and her husband have just one regret. They wish they would have switched to Watertown sooner. The small-town love and feel at both the Center for Women’s Health and the hospital’s Birthing Unit are hard to beat.
Monica Quinnett, a Watertown resident and Early Childhood teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School, wasn’t sure what to expect when the birth center they used for their first three children closed, and she had to find a new place to deliver her fourth baby.
“We were hesitant about choosing Watertown at first,” she admitted. “You don’t always hear good things, and switching doctors and facilities can be hard.”
But what started as a decision made for convenience, cutting their drive from 45 minutes to under five minutes, turned into an experience her family will never forget.
“From our very first visit at the Center for Women’s Health, we have never felt so cared for,” she said. “We were a family in their care. They were caring for OUR baby—not just another patient or a name and number on their list.”
Her regular OB, Dr. Kaci Axelson, made each visit personal. She engaged Monica’s older children when they needed to come with, letting them listen to the baby’s heartbeat, and making them feel included. Every interaction with staff members at the Center for Women’s Health was filled with warmth, joy, and attention to detail.
“The front desk ladies always greeted us with a smile at check-in and were very helpful when scheduling my upcoming appointments,” said Monica. “The nurses were great and would give my older kids suckers and stickers to occupy them while I was in my appointment.”
The ultrasound techs at the Center for Women’s Health are specialty trained and work with the maternal-fetal medicine specialists at Meriter to get specific images and a clear picture of what is going on with both mother and baby.
“The ultrasound appointments were always an exciting time as well,” said Monica. “The techs take their time, and we never received such clear and beautiful images before. We even received an ultrasound picture of our baby smiling, it still brings us so much joy!”
About three weeks before her due date, Monica experienced a false alarm and headed to the hospital unsure of what to expect. She’d had a false alarm with one of her other kids and was treated like it was silly to come in. This time was completely different.
“I was met by a calm nurse in the emergency room who helped put me at ease and wheeled me up to Labor & Delivery. Every nurse I encountered that day treated me with kindness and respect and never made me feel like I was overreacting,” said Monica. “I left that day feeling confident in the care team and validated in my decision to deliver at Watertown.”
When it came time for the real thing, Dr. Melissa Nehls was on call, and nurse Gretchen, who had given Monica and her husband a tour of the Birth Center during their Labor and Delivery Class weeks earlier, was there to greet them.
“When we finished the class, we both turned to each other and hoped she would be our nurse when the time came,” said Monica. “As soon as we saw her on delivery day, we immediately felt at peace and knew we were in good hands.”
With Gretchen leading the way and help from fellow nurses Megan, Alexis, and Catie, they created what Monica called the best birth experience she’s ever had. Even when their baby’s heart rate dropped during labor, Monica said the team stayed calm and completely in control.
“All of the nurses came to the room right away and Dr. Nehls was in the room within five minutes,” said Monica. “They were all surrounding me and giving me encouragement to bring my baby into the world. They told me ‘YOU CAN!’ even when I cried, “I can't’! It was so powerful.”
She also praised the little details that made the experience feel personal — from one nurse taking candid photos of the delivery, to the team resetting the room in minutes so she and her baby could share uninterrupted skin-to-skin time. Her night nurse, Deb, made those first hours post-delivery feel like luxury.
“She cleaned me up, helped me into a fresh gown, and even tucked me and baby back into bed with fresh sheets,” said Monica. “When it was time for him to sleep, she got him all snuggled up. She was the baby burrito queen!”
And then, of course, there was the celebration meal — complete with filet mignon, dessert, and even wine. “It was hilariously fancy and so memorable! We couldn’t stop laughing and smiling. It was such a fun, thoughtful touch.”
Now Monica said she recommends Watertown Regional Medical Center to every expectant mom she knows. “It was a blessing to deliver our baby here. We are forever grateful.”