Courtney Hintze
December 2020
Courtney
Hintze
,
RN, ADN
Birthplace
Ascension Mercy Hospital
Oshkosh
,
WI
United States
The last thing that I remember before going under is Courtney promising me that she would get me skin on skin and she was holding my hand.
Courtney was always on top of things and making sure that we were all doing well. We loved her personality. She was very friendly, caring, and professional!
***
I woke up having contractions. This was the morning of week 38. To say we were not prepared to give birth that day is an understatement. We quickly installed the car seat, packed our bags, and dropped our oldest off with his aunt and Uncle. We arrived at the Birthplace unit around 2:30. One of the first things you do is discuss your birth plan. I explained to Courtney that I was trying for a VBAC and had my Doula via virtual (Thanks Covid-19). However, the only thing I cared about was getting skin on skin right away. Courtney took the seemingly minor detail in the grand scheme of giving birth to heart. She took the time to explain to me that if I did have to have a c-section, she would make sure that I get the baby right away. Shortly after we arrived, labor picked up quickly. Courtney was there helping me breathe through the contractions and relax. Quickly after getting the epidural, I started to push. My dream of a VBAC and that very important immediate skin on skin was in view....until it wasn’t. The Baby’s heart rate started to drop dangerously low at every contraction. After some pushes, the baby’s heart rate stayed dangerously low and never came back up. Courtney and the doctor did everything they could to get the heart rate back up. This included putting me on all fours, which could not have been an easy task since I had an epidural. Unfortunately, none of this worked. When a baby’s heart rate tanks and doesn’t go back up, you have to have an emergency c-section under general anesthesia. This was my worst nightmare, as I would miss the birth of my baby. The rest is a blur. The doctor was explaining to me what was happening and a bunch of nurses ran into my room and started getting me ready for the operating room. The last thing that I remember before going under is Courtney promising me that she would get me skin on skin and she was holding my hand. About 26 minutes passed between getting rolled into the OR and delivering my son. He came out blue and limp. Resuscitation was needed, so my skin on skin obviously could not happen. A couple of hours later I was finally able to meet my son. It was after the 7 pm shift change, but Courtney came into my room to make sure that I was ok. She also apologized for not being above to give me the skin on skin right away. I could see how much this pained her. I told her it was ok and that I understood the emergency resuscitating my son.
I am nominating Courtney for The DAISY Award because she went above and beyond her duties as a nurse. She really listened to my wants and needs. As a laboring mom, this was so important to me. She took the time to explain what was happening and most importantly, she was there for me during a very scary moment. I will never forget the love, caring, and support that Courtney showed me and my family. Thank you, Courtney!!!
***
I woke up having contractions. This was the morning of week 38. To say we were not prepared to give birth that day is an understatement. We quickly installed the car seat, packed our bags, and dropped our oldest off with his aunt and Uncle. We arrived at the Birthplace unit around 2:30. One of the first things you do is discuss your birth plan. I explained to Courtney that I was trying for a VBAC and had my Doula via virtual (Thanks Covid-19). However, the only thing I cared about was getting skin on skin right away. Courtney took the seemingly minor detail in the grand scheme of giving birth to heart. She took the time to explain to me that if I did have to have a c-section, she would make sure that I get the baby right away. Shortly after we arrived, labor picked up quickly. Courtney was there helping me breathe through the contractions and relax. Quickly after getting the epidural, I started to push. My dream of a VBAC and that very important immediate skin on skin was in view....until it wasn’t. The Baby’s heart rate started to drop dangerously low at every contraction. After some pushes, the baby’s heart rate stayed dangerously low and never came back up. Courtney and the doctor did everything they could to get the heart rate back up. This included putting me on all fours, which could not have been an easy task since I had an epidural. Unfortunately, none of this worked. When a baby’s heart rate tanks and doesn’t go back up, you have to have an emergency c-section under general anesthesia. This was my worst nightmare, as I would miss the birth of my baby. The rest is a blur. The doctor was explaining to me what was happening and a bunch of nurses ran into my room and started getting me ready for the operating room. The last thing that I remember before going under is Courtney promising me that she would get me skin on skin and she was holding my hand. About 26 minutes passed between getting rolled into the OR and delivering my son. He came out blue and limp. Resuscitation was needed, so my skin on skin obviously could not happen. A couple of hours later I was finally able to meet my son. It was after the 7 pm shift change, but Courtney came into my room to make sure that I was ok. She also apologized for not being above to give me the skin on skin right away. I could see how much this pained her. I told her it was ok and that I understood the emergency resuscitating my son.
I am nominating Courtney for The DAISY Award because she went above and beyond her duties as a nurse. She really listened to my wants and needs. As a laboring mom, this was so important to me. She took the time to explain what was happening and most importantly, she was there for me during a very scary moment. I will never forget the love, caring, and support that Courtney showed me and my family. Thank you, Courtney!!!