网曝门事件

Amid the busy work of doctors, midwives, nurses and support staff in Family Birth Place, one woman鈥檚 work is of a quieter nature. You鈥檒l find her arms wrapped around 网曝门事件 Health Portland鈥檚 tiniest patients 鈥� newborns in need of comfort as they struggle through drug withdrawal.

鈥淚鈥檝e always loved babies. They鈥檙e my absolute favorite,鈥� explains Gloria Duarte-Rivera, retired registered nurse. She鈥檚 one of dozens of 网曝门事件 Health Portland volunteers who donate their time every week in support of patients and their caregivers.

Gloria鈥檚 love of babies drove her to work for 13 years in another hospital鈥檚 labor and delivery department, although her regular tasks rarely allowed much time to snuggle infants. Now, as a volunteer, her top priority is providing a warm, safe place for babies suffering from the effects of their mothers鈥� drug use during pregnancy.

Often these babies have to stay additional days in the nursery after their moms are discharged. Holding them in her arms and heart is Gloria鈥檚 calling.

鈥淚 snuggle them as close as I can,鈥� she explains. 鈥淏y holding them, I free up a nurse to help someone else in need. I鈥檓 thankful to the excellent nurses and staff for allowing me to hold these beautiful babies.鈥� With her professional background, Gloria is also an extra set of eyes watching for adverse reactions in the babies.

What happens next with these infants varies. Some mothers want to enter rehab so they can become drug-free and take care of their babies. Others leave without meeting their child. Either way, social workers are involved to make sure each newborn ends up in a safe, caring and prepared home, often with foster families.

Until they do, they have Gloria. 鈥淢ostly I鈥檓 just there to hold the babies because they need it so desperately,鈥� she says.

To learn more about our volunteers and how to become one, visit 网曝门事件Health.org/PortlandVolunteers.