Guided Through the Storm: How East Jefferson General Hospital Helped Ashley Welcome Her ‘Tornado’ Baby Into the World

For Ashley Bourgeois Miller, welcoming her daughter Amelia into the world in December 2022 wasn’t just a milestone—it was a whirlwind. In every sense of the word.

Amelia arrived four weeks early, just one day after a tornado swept through Ashley’s West Bank neighborhood, knocking out power and throwing her family’s plans into chaos. That night, as power had just come back on and she was folding laundry, Ashley suddenly realized her water had broken. “I looked at my husband and said, ‘This is it. We need to go now,’” she recalled. “The storm had just passed, and everything felt so uncertain. I knew we had to get to the hospital right away.”

Navigating storm-damaged roads with many areas still without power, Ashley and her husband, Cory, drove straight to East Jefferson General Hospital, part of LCMC Health. They hadn’t expected labor to start that night, but they knew without hesitation that East Jefferson was exactly where they needed to be.

A stormy night and a trusted hospital partner

Ashley had long placed her trust in East Jefferson. At age 20, she underwent a breast reduction there to improve her comfort and well-being. Years later, she returned for a preventive bilateral mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery. So when it came time to deliver her second child, she knew she wanted to return to the same hospital that had been with her through it all.

Though she had given birth to her son, Noah, 15 years earlier, her pregnancy with Amelia was entirely different. Now 37, Ashley was considered high risk—often referred to as a geriatric pregnancy. She was closely monitored by a multidisciplinary team of maternal-fetal medicine specialists and obstetrician-gynecologists, all working together to support her care as part of East Jefferson’s Women and Newborn Care program.

With more appointments, added precautions, and an increased level of monitoring, Ashley’s second pregnancy brought new worries. But the care she received at East Jefferson gave her confidence every step of the way.

That confidence became especially important the night of the storm. Despite not yet feeling contractions when she arrived at the hospital, Ashley could tell something had changed. The clinical team evaluated her carefully, and after further testing and monitoring, it was confirmed that her water indeed had broken.

Because she hadn't begun active labor, the team moved forward with a cautious and attentive plan. At around 36 weeks pregnant, Ashley was in what her care team described as a “gray area.” It wasn’t quite full-term, but it also wasn’t too early to begin preparing. With each decision, her care team focused on balancing safety, timing, and her peace of mind.

Her OB/GYN recommended holding off on induction to give Amelia a little more time to continue developing. While this included a steroid shot to help prepare her lungs, the overall goal was to give the baby every possible opportunity to continue growing and developing naturally before birth. Ashley understood the reasoning, but the waiting was still difficult. As more time passed, she found herself increasingly on edge, but trusted that her care team was weighing every decision with both safety and compassion in mind.

Enter nurse Caroline: Calm in the middle of the storm

As Ashley got settled in her room, still processing the uncertainty of what might come next, she was introduced to her Labor & Delivery nurse, Caroline Richardson—a familiar face from her extended circle of friends. Before beginning care, Caroline did something that immediately stood out.

“She asked if I felt comfortable having her as my nurse, since we knew each other socially,” Ashley said. “That meant a lot. She didn’t make any assumptions, and she made sure I felt safe and respected from the very beginning.”

What followed was a stretch of care Ashley will never forget.

“She reminded me of a kindergarten teacher, in the best way possible. She was calm, thoughtful, and completely in control,” Ashley said. “She made space for me to be anxious, but never let things spiral. She had this way of staying one step ahead.”

Ashley recalled how much Caroline supported her emotionally while also helping her understand what was happening and what to expect. When questions arose around timing and next steps, Caroline helped ensure the full care team remained aligned and communicative, which ultimately brought clarity and comfort to the decision-making process.

Before labor was induced, Caroline also gently encouraged Ashley to take a shower and enjoy a good meal. These small acts of preparation made a lasting impression during an otherwise uncomfortable time.

By Friday morning—nearly 36 hours after the tornado had torn through their neighborhood—Amelia arrived, healthy and strong. Surrounded by a team that was ready and responsive, Ashley felt deeply supported in the moments that mattered most.

Caroline’s shift had ended by the time Amelia was born, but she returned later that morning to support Ashley through her first postpartum steps. Even in those vulnerable early hours, Ashley never felt alone. “Caroline helped me feel like myself again, at a time when everything was still raw and overwhelming,” she said.

What stood out most wasn’t just Caroline’s individual care. It was how seamlessly her approach reflected the entire East Jefferson team. Every staff member who entered the room seemed to arrive already informed and prepared, creating a sense of continuity that reassured Ashley and eliminated the stress of repeating herself.

That consistent coordination, combined with genuine compassion, made a lasting impact. The whole team worked in sync to ensure Ashley felt seen, heard, and supported. And through it all, Caroline stood out for the way she truly went above and beyond.

Even though Amelia didn’t require Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) support, knowing those advanced resources were just steps away offered peace of mind throughout the delivery experience. East Jefferson’s Level III and Level II NICU, recognized as the highest level of neonatal care in Louisiana, provides 24/7 in-house coverage from board-certified neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists. Every member of the Women and Newborn Care team, just like Caroline, is focused on one shared goal: ensuring the best possible outcome for every baby and family.

Shortly after Ashley’s experience, Caroline was recognized as East Jefferson’s Team Member of the Month. For Ashley, it was a fitting tribute to the care, compassion, and clarity Caroline brought as she welcomed her new baby into the world.

“This is such a beautiful reminder of how impactful a career in nursing can be and what an honor it truly is to take care of people when they feel most vulnerable,” said Caroline. “How rewarding it has been to be just a small part of so many families’ birthing experiences, especially Ashley’s!”

A lasting lesson in coordination and teamwork

Ashley’s experience left her with lasting insight for other expectant mothers: make a plan, but be ready to adapt. No two births are the same, and sometimes nature and your baby have a different timeline in mind.

She encourages others to speak up, ask questions, and communicate their needs clearly. The support she received from the East Jefferson team, from her care plan to her comfort during labor, reminded her that trust and teamwork matter just as much as clinical skill.

Today, Amelia is two-and-a-half years old—full of energy, personality, and plenty of opinions. She’s strong-willed, joyful, and continues to live up to her reputation as the family’s “tornado baby,” as her mom affectionately calls her. And though their time together was brief, Ashley will always remember the steady support and thoughtful care Caroline and the East Jefferson team provided during Amelia’s unforgettable arrival.

Ashley’s story is just one example of the personalized, team-based care families receive at East Jefferson General Hospital. To learn more about labor and delivery, postpartum support, and NICU services, visit the Women and Newborn Care web page.