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Expecting their first child together was excitement enough – throw in a wedding ceremony on top – and it was icing on the cake for Dave and Theresa (Teske) Thompson at Hudson Hospital Birth Center on July 19.  The Thompson’s are from New Richmond and had wedding plans for a July 19 ceremony – but mom and baby couldn’t wait.

The couple’s due date was August 25; however, when they arrived at their clinic appointment, labs were drawn and they discovered health concerns. Theresa Thompson was eventually admitted to Hudson Hospital Birth Center due to complications, as Hudson Physician’s midwife Elizabeth Barry-Jensen, CNM recommended further testing.  Dennis Hartung, MD, OB/GYN was brought in on consult to determine best options for mom and baby.  “The nursing staff were incredibly supportive and went above and beyond to ease our concerns,” says Dave Thompson.  We even had a backup plan to get married on the hospital campus gardens, with the beautiful arbor arch and flowers blooming surrounding the labyrinth.  After reviewing the test results, the providers’ concerns mounted for mom and baby, so the decision was made to transfer them to Children’s Hospital of Minnesota, a care partner with Hudson Hospital in cases where more acute care is needed. Hearing this news, and plans derailing, the couple was quite upset.  Thinking quickly, Dave asked if they could be married here. “Theresa was adamant – she wanted to be married before our baby arrived – so I did everything in my power to make that happen,” says Dave.  And that he did.

With only 40 minutes before the ambulance transfer, Dave worked diligently gathering close family members and a judge to perform the ceremony – right in the Birth Center.  Keeping patient safety top of mind, the entire hospital nursing staff joined together to ensure this wedding would be as beautiful and memorable as it could be – while continuing to monitor mom and baby.  “The nurses gathered fresh cut flowers from the gardens, created a veil out of a towel decorated with flowers, a bouquet, and a dress out of white sheets,” says Dave.  “It was spectacular!” says Theresa. Staff downloaded a wedding song on a CD player, took photos of the event, and brought donuts from the Café to suffice as the wedding cake.  Housekeeping staff created a precious swan from towels in the shape of a heart – a perfect centerpiece for a wedding.  “Nurses were clapping and cheering after the couple said vows and the groom kissed the bride,” says Polly Carlson, RN, Hudson Hospital Birth Center. As mom was wheeled down the hall on a stretcher to the ambulance, staff congratulated the couple and threw flower pedals wishing them all the best.

The Thompson’s described their patient care at Hudson Hospital Birth Center as an exceptional experience and expressed gratitude to all the staff who went above and beyond to turn a very difficult situation into a simply beautiful wedding ceremony. Dave and Theresa are the proud parents of Elizabeth (Lizzy) Jean Thompson, born July 21 at Abbott Northwestern/Children’s Hospital Minneapolis at 2:14 a.m., 3 pounds, 3 ounces.  Mom and baby are doing well.