UPHS – Portage Heroes | Lacy Wuebben, RN, BSN

What is your role at UPHS – Portage? 
I am a registered nurse in the Family Birthing Center.

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
I took a health careers class in high school and enjoyed shadowing in the hospital and experiencing a baby born in the OR. Since then, I decided to go into nursing and I knew I would want to specialize in labor and delivery someday. 

What's a typical day like for you?
The Family Birthing Center is a fast-paced environment. You have the potential for a variety of patients; a laboring mother, a cesarean, a sick baby in the nursery, a sick mom after delivery, and all kinds of things in-between and often happening at once. Sometimes babies come fast, and the nurses have to deliver. It’s such a joyful job — rocking sweet newborns at night when moms are resting is one of the best parts.

How long have you been employed here?  
I have worked at Portage for six years, two years on Med/Surg, and a little less than a year in ICU before training at the Family Birthing Center three years ago. I have always worked the night shift. 

What are some of the big changes you have experienced in this position?
We are seeing a lean in the community towards unmedicated birthing without epidurals. It is so fun to help people reach their goals towards a natural birth through coaching, using nitrous, and various techniques all the nurses have learned through a class called spinning babies. 

What are some of your interests outside of work? Where is your favorite local gem?
I love to be outside with my husband and three boys who are 4, 3, and 10 months old. We take any chance we can to be in and by the water and love camping! My favorite local gem is all of the gorgeous beaches we have access to. 

What do you enjoy most about working at UPHS – Portage? 
My coworkers and the babies! We have such a wonderful team of friends in the Family Birthing Center, and we all work together so seamlessly!