On June 8 my husband and I went to a routine appointment for an ultrasound at 18 weeks. We were so excited to find out the gender of our third child due in November. We soon learned that our sweet baby no longer had a heartbeat and we were told to be at the hospital the next morning to safely deliver this child for my health. Our world as we knew it felt like it was completely crashing down around us. We went into that appointment so excited and couldn't wait to announce the gender of this child, and in just moments everything changed.
The next morning we arrived at VMC terrified and clueless about what was going to happen. What a whirlwind the past 24 hours had been for us. Our first nurse that morning was absolutely amazing throughout the entire day. I honestly don't know how L&D nurses do this side of their job. She answered every single question for us and trust me there were a lot, cried with us, made sure I was comfortable all day long, and even hugged us as she was getting off her shift that night. What a blessing to have her as our nurse during this process. Throughout the day she talked to us and chatted with us like we were old friends, which as silly as that sounds it made us feel so good and normal. Normal is what I wanted to feel since nothing had been normal the past 24 hours. A little small talk definitely goes a long way!
Our night nurse, Channing Godwin, was there when I delivered our sweet son. Channing held me until the doctor was able to get into the room. She did not leave my side for even a second and answered all of my husband and mom's questions that night. And again there were a lot of questions! She made sure I was comfortable during the entire process and made sure we were able to say goodbye to our son the way we wanted to. My husband wanted some time with our son and Channing allowed him to do so in another room because I just couldn't. She made sure my husband was ok and didn't need anything. People don't always think about the father needing support too, but it's just as much of a loss for both of us and we were so thankful that Channing gave that support to both of us that night. Again I do not know how L&D nurses do this side of their job.
As a nurse at VMC, I know the expectation of nurses and these two nurses exceeded all expectations. As a bedside nurse for the past seven and a half years I know good nursing care, and I received phenomenal care during this entire process. I tell people when they ask me about it that if I had asked for the moon I'm pretty sure they would have found a way to get it for me that day. That day was without a doubt the hardest day in our lives and I am so grateful that Kristina and Channing were our nurses to help us get through such a hard day. I pray that one day I am again in L&D on a happier note and would be beyond blessed to have them as my nurses again.