My wife and I will never forget our first childbirth experience, and Cynthia Schafer will certainly remain a permanent part of that memory. Not only was she an excellent and attentive caregiver during our stay, she was approachable, patient, and thorough in answering all of our questions. However, it wasn't until the final hour of my wife's 24-hour labor and delivery ordeal that Cynthia set herself apart from the medical professionals we had encountered up to that point, and in retrospect, thereafter.
My wife had been giving it her all, pushing out our baby. I was amazed at how positive she stayed throughout the entire time. She always gave a fourth push when Cynthia asked if she had another one in her, but after two hours of strenuous effort, it reached a point where my wife and the baby needed a vacuum assist. I witnessed the discomfort and pressure become greater and greater for my wife, and gradually, I became distraught at the fact that there was nothing I could do to help her, other than stand by her side and hold her hand. Then it happened. My wife hit a wall. The baby was so close to coming out, but the physical, mental, and emotional hardship had taken its toll on my wife's body and spirit. Her eyes began to fill with tears. "I can't do this," she said in a soft voice. "The medicine isn't working. I can feel everything; it hurts so badly. Seeing her broken spirt broke mine. She looked straight up at me, but I didn't know what to say; I didn't know what to do, I was without words -- which is not typical -- and my heart sank. Without hesitation, Cynthia stepped close beside the bed, across from me, and took her hand. And with the utmost charisma and empathy, Cynthia looked at my wife in the eyes and said in a soft and reassuring tone, "Sweetheart, he's almost here, you're going to have him tonight, and you're going to be so happy when you see him. The medicine has brought you this far, and you've done amazing, but I know you can do this. We know you can do that. One more push and he'll be here." Cynthia smiled at her, then turned her head to me and said, "Right, dad?" Still unable to mouth any words, I just nodded my head in agreement.
With a rejuvenated spirit, my wife said to Cynthia: "Okay". Cynthia's words of encouragement were exactly what my wife needed to hear; and me, too, for that matter. Sure enough, in the next contraction, my wife pushed with everything she had left, and the baby arrived. Our son was born at 7:48 pm, well-after Cynthia had the opportunity to leave, since her shift had already ended. Yet, Cynthia chose to stay and provide nursing care, and more importantly, emotional support. Not long after my son was born, Cynthia congratulated us with heartfelt hugs, and disappeared into the night, much like a super-hero. She was our super-hero.
Cynthia was the motherly figure we needed at that difficult moment. A motivational coach. A pillar to lean on. And for that, we will be forever grateful. The level of compassion, poise, professionalism, care that we received from Cynthia, was in my opinion, extraordinary and well-deserving of recognition. She is a caliber of nurse that any organization would be lucky to have. My wife and I consider ourselves lucky that we had her by our side that day.
Note: This is Cynthia's second DAISY Award!