When I landed in the hospital for PPROM at 32 weeks, I knew my birth story would look different than what I initially imagined, but I had no idea just how special my birth would be, because there was no way I could have dreamt up a nurse as fantastic as Ashley. I arrived at L&D right at shift change, and on my way down from the antepartum floor, I went from 4 to 10 cm in mere minutes.

It felt like a hundred people were in the room, trying to get me admitted and preparing for my preemie’s rapid arrival. Ashley met me at the door and did not leave my side for my entire birth. When I saw the chaos in the room and when I realized how quickly things were happening, I looked at Ashley and said, “I’m scared.” She held my hand and looked at me in a way I knew I could trust this complete stranger whom I had known for 2 minutes, and told me, “I’ve got you.” And she sure did.

She supported me physically, mentally, and emotionally for every single second of my labor and birth. I don’t think she left my side for even a second. Her presence was a blessing to me. I owe it to her that I can share what could have been a scary and traumatizing birth experience and instead look back on it with such positivity and joy. Ashley is not only a skilled nurse who got me through my birth with her clinical expertise, but her therapeutic nature and attention to my emotional needs made all the difference for my experience as a first-time mom delivering a preemie.

I am so grateful for Ashley and the huge part she played in fostering a safe, comfortable, positive experience for me in one of the biggest moments of my life.