I was 39 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child, who was breech, and was admitted for a scheduled ECV (external cephalic version) to turn the baby in hopes of delivering vaginally. This pregnancy had been difficult, complicated by an emergent gall bladder removal at 29 weeks. I was understandably anxious prior to the ECV, and several times, I had considered changing my mind and opting for a C-section instead. Gabi was my nurse pre-procedure, and we immediately connected. I am also a nurse who works at the same hospital, which can be awkward for both the patient and the nurse, but it was not for either of us. Gabi was kind, comforting, and most of all, honest with me. When I asked her how many successful ECVs she had seen, she looked me straight in the eyes and said, "None." We both laughed, and I appreciated her honesty. She said, "Maybe you will be my first!"

As we were getting ready for the procedure, I began to get extremely nervous. Gabi could sense that, and any joking or laughing ended. She stood next to me, placed her hand on my shoulder, and squeezed it. She gave me a reassuring smile, and reminded me that she would be with me the entire time. She explained everything that would happen, multiple times. She never once assumed that because I was a nurse, I "knew" what would happen. I am not a labor and delivery nurse, and I appreciated that she knew that. She was calm, reassuring, and so kind that she brought tears to my eyes. She assisted me onto the table in the OR, and she stayed within my line of sight as everyone began hooking me up to monitors. She talked me through everything that was happening - and again, as a nurse myself, I knew what was happening but appreciated her narrative. I even remember thinking "Gabi is such an excellent nurse, her patients are so lucky". Anesthesia was then ready to place an epidural. I sat at the edge of the bed, put my arms around Gabi's shoulders (a normal position to assume when having an epidural placed), and looked into her eyes. She again smiled and reassured me that everything was ok and that after this was placed, they would bring my husband in. She asked me questions about my other children and tried to distract me. There was a small burn as they placed the numbing medicine. Having had this done before, I knew what to expect. What came next was not expected. I felt an immense amount of pain and jumped. Gabi immediately reacted and spoke in a commanding voice. "Stop! She can feel that!" The room stopped. The anesthesiologist stopped and asked me, and I confirmed that, yes, there was a lot of pain. Adjustments were made, and the epidural was then placed without any further incident. I laid back down and set up continued. Soon, everything was ready to begin. As they went to begin the procedure, Gabi again spoke up in her commanding voice, "Stop!" The room stopped and looked at Gabi. "Her husband is not here. The procedure cannot begin". I had not even noticed, truthfully, but Gabi had. Not only was she advocating for me as the patient, but she noticed that my husband had not yet been called into the room. She was watching out for all of us, and had no problem stopping the room full of 8-10 people to ensure that he was by my side. Later on in the procedure, I had some difficulty breathing. Gabi sprang into action, alerting anesthesia, administering oxygen, reassuring me to take deep breaths, and that it was part of the spinal medication and that it would pass. It was a horrible feeling, but knowing that Gabi was right there, standing next to me and holding my hand, instructing me to place my hand on my chest to feel my chest rise and fall and reassure my brain that I was breathing, made me feel safe and well cared for.

The procedure was ultimately successful, and our baby was turned head-down. The labor and delivery unit was very busy that day (when is it not?), and I was beginning to have contractions. The plan was to send me home and then have me return when the contractions were closer together. Based off her assessment, Gabi felt that the best plan was to keep me, and induce me, especially since my contractions had already begun and were fairly close together. She left to advocate for this plan. When she returned with the OB, they informed me that yes, I was going to stay and be induced. I delivered a healthy baby boy vaginally. Gabi came to visit us and him in postpartum. Gabi was the true epitome of a patient advocate from the moment that I met her throughout our entire stay. And I was her first successful ECV, just as we both joked about! As a nurse, I was so impressed by Gabi that even writing this nomination has made me tear up. I strongly recommend that Gabi be considered for a DAISY Award.