I was admitted to UCSF Mission Bay at 23 weeks. We had been waiting for this admission and hopeful that we would make it to week 23. Little did I know that I would be walking into a 10+ week stay in the Antepartum Unit on the 3rd floor of UCSF Mission Bay. I had just been there a few weeks when I met my nurse, Amy. She walked in and it didn't take before I was smiling, laughing, and exchanging all sorts of stories with her. Living in the Antepartum unit is lonely and isolating. You feel totally fine, but you cannot go anywhere or do anything. And for me, I was waiting each day to see if it was the day my baby would be born, and I had no idea what to expect and wondered if she would be healthy. These are really heavy emotions and burdens to hold. However, meeting Amy was a turning point for me and my stay. She brings joy and laughter wherever she goes. 

Amy was always looking out for me even when she wasn't there. She introduced me to other nurses that could be on my continuity of care list, and she made sure they knew I liked a lot of ice in my water! She also spent time getting to know my family and taking care of them too. My husband says she is part of our family now. Luckily, I did not have an emergency delivery, and Amy was scheduled to work the day I was induced and the day I delivered. We had talked so much about my fears and worries about labor, so I was incredibly thankful that Amy was going to be there for it all. After 74 days, I had grown attached to my Antepartum room and was nervous about transferring to labor and delivery, so Amy scouted out my room on L&D and decorated it with lights and a big sign for my arrival. I honestly can't imagine going through labor and delivery without her by my side. She knew everything I needed and made everything happen so quickly. Once it was time to push, Amy did not leave my side and in typical Amy fashion, she had my spirits high. 

The day my baby was born was one of the hardest days for us all. We found out that her lungs were not as developed as we had hoped, and was in the ICN. Amy was with us when we were updated on how our baby was doing, and she felt this devastating news deeply with us. However, we all remained hopeful and now almost 2 months later, our little girl is growing and doing well. Amy continues to care for us. She comes to visit our family in the ICN as Auntie Amy, and she keeps up with me outside of the hospital. As my husband said, she really is part of our family now! My mom, who is also a nurse, was able to be with us during the entire labor and delivery. When we talk about the day that our baby was born, my mom cannot put into words how thankful she is that Amy was my nurse. She said that she was amazed at how well Amy knew me and made everything happen right when it was needed. I can't agree more with my mom. Amy spent a lot of time during my stay in Antepartum listening, getting to know me, and cheering me on. Amy made a meaningful difference in my care at UCSF and during one of the hardest moments in my life. With this, I am so excited and hopeful to nominate my devoted, passionate, and joyful nurse, Amy Bobo, for The DAISY Award!