Safety - I was in labor early in the morning. I had received an epidural an hour or two before the 7am shift change when Amanda took over for the previous nurse. At the time, there were several other providers in the room. Even though I had communicated to the first nurse (and presumably demonstrated) that I was feeling painful contractions, the bladder catheter insertion and removal, and the intensity of needing to push, no one had questioned why. It was Amanda who identified that the epidural machine was not on, and I had actually been experiencing unmedicated childbirth that whole time.  

Compassion - Amanda took swift action to ensure I'd receive the pain relief I'd requested hours earlier and had not been receiving. Over the next 4 hours, until I delivered my son, she patiently and steadfastly counted as I pushed. She cheered me on without flagging. In between contractions, since I was no longer experiencing pain, she, my husband, and I chit-chatted and even joked around, keeping my spirits up. If all L&D nurses were like Amanda, there would be no market for doulas.  

Dignity - Labor is obviously a very vulnerable experience, both physically and emotionally, so the little things count a lot. Depending on who was coming into the room, Amanda would cover my pelvic area if she deemed it necessary. (I was in labor and too distracted to care.) Also, the hinge on the door to my room was broken and would often swing open, leaving me literally exposed to the world - she kept an eye on it and would shut it or ask someone to for my privacy. 

Amanda is the person I didn't know I needed to get me through my labor. I wish all women could have an Amanda on their care team.