It's been 10 years since I finished my Master's Degree in Health and Human Services Administration. Turns out it wasn't the endless research or even my 50-page thesis that I would remember most, it would be the words of advice from a professor that I have cherished most throughout my career. He said to me, "Always remember, to you, someone may feel like just another case, but to that person, this case is literally their whole life." I mention this because I had been hoping and praying that the doctors and nurses who would see me through my delivery approached their work this way, that I wasn't just another woman giving birth because, to me, it was so much more. I know far too often we are eager to be vocal in our criticism of others and not enough in our praise, so it was important for me to take the time to say, 'thank you' to some outstanding women I encountered as we welcomed our son into the world.
This having been my third baby, delivery should have felt almost routine. However, in the hours after the birth of my second child in 2015, I suffered a postpartum hemorrhage that robbed me of one-third of my blood. The sight of this emergency coupled with the image of my husband and newborn daughter as I faced an uncertain future would become images seared into my mind for years to come.
Having been through this, I entered this pregnancy with an overwhelming amount of fear and anxiety that intensified in the days leading up to delivery. How do you calm the nerves of a mother who has been through something like this? Nearly impossible.
Leading up to the delivery I received an unexpected call from a nurse from HMTW asking if I had any outstanding questions as I was heading into the birth, I didn't. She brought up my previous hemorrhage and asked how I was feeling this go-around. Caught a little off-guard, I could only answer, "I'm terrified". She then proceeded to tell me exactly what I didn't know I needed to hear, they were fully aware of my previous history and would take every precaution to ensure I wouldn't go through that again. And if it did happen, they are fully prepared to intervene quickly. I really appreciated that call. I didn't feel like "just another patient" rather before I was even admitted they knew who I was, and they cared about me. Thank you for that.
Entering the morning of my induction I met a number of nurses thanks to my small/stubborn veins and four attempts to place an IV. They were all so friendly and supportive, the day was off to a good start.
The induction began as I met Hilary, the one who would see me through the delivery. Hilary, wow. The doctor told me I was in good hands with Hilary and she was right. I have a hard time putting it into words just how amazing she was. From the early stages, she sought to understand what happened in my previous delivery then talked me through the steps she was taking to put my mind at ease that I was in good hands. Through the difficult stages of labor, she was an ally and of great support. Following delivery, she was extra attentive to ensuring that my body was doing what it needed to be doing and although these interventions were painful, and she apologized every time, I was relieved to be receiving such care. Between Dr. Everson and Hilary, my labor and delivery was a big success in welcoming our 8lb11oz baby boy. I will always remember Hilary. A special thank you to her for her superior care.
Having had such a safe and positive experience this time around, I have a restored faith in my body and a renewed confidence in myself. All those old, dark memories that surrounded my previous birth experience are now replaced with amazing memories that I will keep with me forever. I am eternally grateful for the nurses who helped bring my son into the world and ensured that I would be around to care for him.
I have no doubt that at this moment Hilary is thinking "But I was only doing my job". True, she was. But the difference she made on that day was how she did her job and that forever changed my life. I was never just another patient to her. The ability to walk me through this experience and end as a changed person to me truly is a super-human achievement. Thank you, Hilary.