Catalina Croteau
March 2024
Catalina
Croteau
,
BSN, RN, RNC-OB
12C Labor & Delivery
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland
,
OR
United States
As a palliative delivery, Cat ensured that every comfort was provided to me during an incredibly hard and sad experience. She was able to read the room completely and know when my husband and I preferred to be alone and when we wanted her expert opinion.
Cat was beyond exceptional during her time with me, my husband, and my two children. From being at my beck and call regarding some pesky IV issues to serving as the photographer's assistant when our family was having pictures taken by the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep photographer - Cat was incredible.
As a palliative delivery, Cat ensured that every comfort was provided to me during an incredibly hard and sad experience. She was able to read the room completely and know when my husband and I preferred to be alone and when we wanted her expert opinion. She truly came alive during the birth of our son, J. Making it a calm and quiet atmosphere, Cat (and the doctor) knew instantly to let me and my husband soak up as much time as we could with him before he passed away due to severe CDH.
Cat not only helped facilitate a peaceful birthing experience, but she made sure that our nearly 3-year-old daughter was able to meet her little brother in the least scary way. No machines or frantic behavior, Cat quietly went about doing her checks on both me and J while not alarming H(our daughter). Cat pulled out all of the stops in entertaining H as well! She tried coordinating a visit from Casey and a ride on the tram - unfortunately after hours for both, so she/we settled for a stuffed animal Casey and passes to ride the tram at a later date (I think Cat was genuinely more disappointed than any of us!). She colored with H, gave her books, took her on a tour of the area (which allowed my husband and I a little extra time with baby J and to get ready for pictures), etc.
Cat was truly a remarkable light on such a bittersweet day when we both met and lost our little boy. We cannot imagine anyone who would have done it better - I think she even stayed beyond her shift to make sure everything went as we wished. I can't think of more intimate moments for a parent to experience than the birth and/or death of their child and Cat was there for both. She handled it with so much grace and made sure that our family was able to create some beautiful memories together that we will forever cherish.
As a palliative delivery, Cat ensured that every comfort was provided to me during an incredibly hard and sad experience. She was able to read the room completely and know when my husband and I preferred to be alone and when we wanted her expert opinion. She truly came alive during the birth of our son, J. Making it a calm and quiet atmosphere, Cat (and the doctor) knew instantly to let me and my husband soak up as much time as we could with him before he passed away due to severe CDH.
Cat not only helped facilitate a peaceful birthing experience, but she made sure that our nearly 3-year-old daughter was able to meet her little brother in the least scary way. No machines or frantic behavior, Cat quietly went about doing her checks on both me and J while not alarming H(our daughter). Cat pulled out all of the stops in entertaining H as well! She tried coordinating a visit from Casey and a ride on the tram - unfortunately after hours for both, so she/we settled for a stuffed animal Casey and passes to ride the tram at a later date (I think Cat was genuinely more disappointed than any of us!). She colored with H, gave her books, took her on a tour of the area (which allowed my husband and I a little extra time with baby J and to get ready for pictures), etc.
Cat was truly a remarkable light on such a bittersweet day when we both met and lost our little boy. We cannot imagine anyone who would have done it better - I think she even stayed beyond her shift to make sure everything went as we wished. I can't think of more intimate moments for a parent to experience than the birth and/or death of their child and Cat was there for both. She handled it with so much grace and made sure that our family was able to create some beautiful memories together that we will forever cherish.