I was in labor with my first child. I entered labor very optimistic that I would be able to manage the pain and contractions and have a normal delivery. I labored at home for a time with two friends who are experienced midwives and my husband helping me through early labor. As the hours passed into the night it became apparent that things weren't progressing as they should. My contractions were inconsistent, and I was becoming fatigued. I had not hoped for an easy or painless delivery, just a smooth and uncomplicated one. I was becoming tired and discouraged as we drove to the hospital just before midnight, and I was beginning to worry about how things would turn out.
When we arrived at the hospital my doctor ordered an epidural and Pitocin to hopefully progress labor to a vaginal delivery. As we discussed the various options, C-section and preparing the operating room was mentioned as an alternative to continuing labor. I was digging deep to continue tapping into the optimism I'd started labor with, but the mere mention of a C-section was deeply discouraging, partially because of how tempting the option was becoming.
My husband and I were given a few moments to discuss the options and I opted to at least try the epidural and Pitocin. As the epidural was placed and the IV was started I was losing hope that anything would help me deliver this baby. This is when Heather Crenshaw stepped in and introduced herself as my Labor and Delivery nurse. As she reviewed my chart and read the doctor's orders, she took a moment to ask me about my expectations for childbirth. I'd started with a detailed birth plan that at this point had been whittled down to delivering a healthy baby and avoiding a C-section if possible.
Heather skillfully began assessing my pain level and the effectiveness of the epidural, monitoring my baby's heart rate and my vital signs and contractions as the Pitocin was administered. She proved herself to be a skilled and efficient nurse in the first few minutes that she was in the room.
I had come to the hospital with my husband and my two midwife friends. Their familiar faces were comforting to me in an unfamiliar environment. They had helped me through contractions and early labor, and I was glad that they were still with me. Heather not only allowed them to stay with me, but she also recruited them to help in various ways: holding my hands, helping to adjust my hips and legs and talk me through contractions.
As Heather took control of the situation and organized it, I felt as though she were transferring control back to me. As she picked up the pieces of my crumbling birth plan and put them to use, my strength seemed to return and I began to believe that I could deliver my baby. I began to have regular contractions and my cervix began dilating.
As labor progressed and things took a turn for the better the heavy mood that had settled over me gave way and my spirits lifted. There was cheering in my room during contractions and deep, restful sighs in between. Heather continued to guide me through contraction after contraction, all the while monitoring both my and my baby's vital signs. After three hours Heather called my doctor and my daughter was born. She and I were completely healthy, and I had never been so relieved in my life.
I am deeply grateful to have had Heather Crenshaw as my nurse. Her care and compassion during my most vulnerable and discouraging moment gave me the strength that I needed to bring my daughter into the world, and for that, I will forever be grateful.