LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Katelyn Sams and Jenna Johnston have worked together for 14 years at Frankfort Regional Medical Center.
“We started working together in the emergency department, and (our) relationship blossomed from there," said Sams, director of inpatient services. "We were super close, went out together and we're friends with other people that worked here at the hospital. It was just love at first sight."
“I work a night shift; you don't have the friendship pool when you're on night shift," said Johnston, clinical charge nurse for diagnostic imaging. "You run with people that are on your shift, and we work. We spent days and nights together."
They found out within four days of each other they were both pregnant.
“We found out at the restaurant at the same time," Sams said. "Neither one of us were having margaritas, so we just assumed. Turns out we were both pregnant."
Johnston was on her way to visit Sams, who was scheduled for induction.
“I was on my way to visit, and then my doctor went ahead and sent me over to be induced a couple days early," Johnston said. "So instead of going to visit, I actually got sent in as a patient."
They went from working side by side to delivering their babies just 20 minutes apart, right across the hall from each other.
“It was crazy, very unexpected,” Sams said.
“Yes, the doctors and nurses were just hopping room to room, so it was great,” Johnston said.
Both Sams and Johnston said they're thankful for the support and love they’ve received from their Frankfort Regional family.
“It was nice to be able to really count on them, knowing how busy they were that night and that evening, knowing we were still taking care of that family,” Johnston said.
"They stayed late to deliver both of our babies," Sams said. "They've been with us all day ... I can't speak highly enough about it ... every person on that floor celebrated with us."
"It was just an experience that I don't think that I'll ever have again.""It was just an experience that I don't think that I'll ever have again."
Both Sams and Johnston said this is one more thing they can bond over and share.
“It's something that we'll share with them as they get older, and they'll spend all their time together just like we do," Sams said. "So we're really excited. It was a great experience, and I'm so thankful that it happened that way."
The new mothers said they hope their daughters will become best friends, too.
Frankfort Regional Medical Center is planning a small celebration to honor this special occasion of Landry Micah, Sams' baby, and Caroline Lynne, Johnston's baby.