Carrie Molloy, BSN, RN, RNC-OB

My water broke at 33 weeks and 4 days. I had just moved to the area the month prior with my husband, who is in the military. We have no friends or family in the area, and he was on a work trip on the other side of the country; to say I was terrified was an understatement. Carrie Molloy was my nurse for practically my entire labor at the hospital, and when I say my birthing experience was completely made by her, it would still be an understatement.

Carrie understood and respected that my number one goal was to stall my labor until my husband arrived from the airport, while at the same time prioritizing mine and my baby's well-being. She did everything she could to buy me as much time as possible, and yet when it was time to push and my husband still wasn't there, she reassured me everything would be okay. She was compassionate towards my fears, while also being light-hearted and making me laugh to help relieve my tension. She advocated for me for physical guidance from the OBs to help me push more effectively, while also encouraging me to focus on my body's feelings.

When it came to my cord cutting, we hadn't discussed who it would be since I was planning on my husband being there; she advocated for me to do it while also communicating to the delivery team to keep it long so my husband could trim it when he did arrive. She communicated my needs and desires with the entire NICU team, who were standing ready for my baby. Carrie single-handedly saved my mental well-being from the very beginning of my contractions throughout her 12-hour shift to deliver my baby right as her shift ended. Her professional care and personal disposition made this the best experience I could've asked for. She has continuously checked on me and my baby every shift she has worked since we are in the NICU as my baby recovers. I feel so much gratitude to have had a nurse like Carrie for my first delivery; she was the exact person I needed in this situation.

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I went into the labor & delivery ER after a prompt from my OB clinic due to possible pre-eclampsia signs. Instead, the nurses and doctor discovered I was going into preterm labor. From the first interaction, Carrie not only displayed exceptional care, knowledge, and professionalism, but also made sure to ease my husband's and my fears and nerves. We were eventually discharged as the progression stopped, until we returned the next morning due to preterm labor rapidly progressing.

I was hobbled over in immense pain due to contractions, but when the double doors opened to bring me to a room and I saw Carrie in the hall, I knew things were going to be okay. I was so scared to give birth to not only a preterm baby but also our first. She knew exactly how to ease my nerves and bring calmness to the room. Specifically, when I arrived, I had dilated to 8cm and was 100% effaced. I didn't have to worry about a thing once I was under her care.

From initial greeting to pain management to coaching me through pushing to even checking on us the next morning in the postpartum care unit, I always felt heard, advocated for, and truly cared for. She went above and beyond for us the entire time we were there. It is hard to find the words that truly capture just how thankful we are for Carrie and all she did for our daughter, my husband, and me. She truly is an exceptional nurse whom I want to recognize not only for her skill and knowledge, but also for her ability to make patients feel seen, safe, and advocated for, and for going above and beyond without hesitation for her patients. She is an extraordinary nurse, and anyone who has the opportunity to meet her is beyond lucky to be under her care.