Ashley Campbell
August 2015
Ashley
Campbell
,
RN
Women's Birthing Center
University of Michigan Health System
Ann Arbor
,
MI
United States
I had Ashley for a nurse the night prior and the night of the birth of my son. Ashley was very nice and accommodating.
On the night/morning of the birth of my son I wasn't dilating/progressing and she had decided to use a "peanut ball" to help with my labor. Within one hour of using this ball, I was fully dilated. During the pushing phase, she was very calm and encouraging. There was a point where I needed more pain medication and she was quick to realize this and had someone there to help within minutes. Ultimately, the baby was not moving and the decision was made for a C-section. She was there during the discussion of a C-section and also was able to answer questions. Since I was not an emergent situation, she let me sleep and get ready for the surgery since it was a few hours before it could be done. My parents were there both nights and were also happy to see Ashley there for the second night, especially when my son was going to be born.
My C-section was not typical. My son was "stuck" and many things needed to be done in order to get him out. This included a larger incision and a longer surgery. There was a point in the surgery where I began to lose a lot of blood. People were rushing around, they had to ask my husband and new born to move out of the way. I knew what was happening. I said I love you to them knowing this could possibly be the last time. Ashley was there, holding my hand when my husband could not. I ultimately was put under general anesthesia and was not able to thank Ashley for all that she did for me and my family.
Ashley saw my parents in the waiting room when she was leaving, which was likely way after her shift was over. She went to say good bye to my parents and when my parents started to ask how I was she quickly realized no one had come to speak with them. This was when Ashley sat down and explained to them what had happened and why my procedure took longer than expected. My parents did not know how critical I was. Even after Ashley had left, no physician had ever come to look for them. I still get tears in my eyes about that day, what happened, and the impact that Ashley made on my care, my family and me.
On the night/morning of the birth of my son I wasn't dilating/progressing and she had decided to use a "peanut ball" to help with my labor. Within one hour of using this ball, I was fully dilated. During the pushing phase, she was very calm and encouraging. There was a point where I needed more pain medication and she was quick to realize this and had someone there to help within minutes. Ultimately, the baby was not moving and the decision was made for a C-section. She was there during the discussion of a C-section and also was able to answer questions. Since I was not an emergent situation, she let me sleep and get ready for the surgery since it was a few hours before it could be done. My parents were there both nights and were also happy to see Ashley there for the second night, especially when my son was going to be born.
My C-section was not typical. My son was "stuck" and many things needed to be done in order to get him out. This included a larger incision and a longer surgery. There was a point in the surgery where I began to lose a lot of blood. People were rushing around, they had to ask my husband and new born to move out of the way. I knew what was happening. I said I love you to them knowing this could possibly be the last time. Ashley was there, holding my hand when my husband could not. I ultimately was put under general anesthesia and was not able to thank Ashley for all that she did for me and my family.
Ashley saw my parents in the waiting room when she was leaving, which was likely way after her shift was over. She went to say good bye to my parents and when my parents started to ask how I was she quickly realized no one had come to speak with them. This was when Ashley sat down and explained to them what had happened and why my procedure took longer than expected. My parents did not know how critical I was. Even after Ashley had left, no physician had ever come to look for them. I still get tears in my eyes about that day, what happened, and the impact that Ashley made on my care, my family and me.