Just a little over two months ago, I checked into RiverBend bright and early for an induction. My situation was unique in that I was delivering a baby as a gestational surrogate and it was my first induction. Having delivered both of my children at another facility and becoming good friends with my labor and delivery nurse in the process, I was a bit apprehensive about delivering in a hospital new to me.
Let's just say that Jess put any concerns I had aside the second I met her. She was our third nurse that day, as labor wasn't progressing very quickly for me. From the moment my husband, Baby E's parents, and I met Jess, we loved her! She was respectful of my decision to pursue a natural delivery, she had a great sense of humor, and she was so personable! All of this made for a calm, enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Though I didn't need a lot from her earlier in the day, Jess was great about consistently checking in and always included my husband and E's parents in everything.
Once labor began to progress later in the day, Jess was by my side with anything and everything she could do to make me as comfortable as possible. Fifteen hours after the start of my induction, with Pitocin turned up to twelve, contractions coming quickly and painfully, I looked at Jess in pure exhaustion and told her I no longer wanted to have a natural birth. This was a difficult moment for me because I had birthed both of my own children naturally and had wanted to do the same for my surrogate baby (E) and her parents. Jess was so calm and comforting, assuring me that I didn't have to be held to a natural birth if I no longer wanted to do so and she promptly notified the doctor of my change in decision. The situation with the anesthesiologist was tense in that I had waited too long to ask for an epidural, I was in a lot of pain by then, and the process was taking what felt like a long time. In the end, we ran out of time and I had to push before I was able to get an epidural. Pushing was painful, of course, but with my husband and Jess by my side, uttering words of encouragement and cheering me on, I was able to make it through.
After Baby E was born and she was bonding with her parents, Jess stayed by my side. Her shift had ended and yet she continued to stay with me and support me until I was comfortably set up in the Mother/Baby unit. Being a surrogate was a dream come true and my delivery at RiverBend with Jess by my side was a wonderful ending for me and the perfect beginning for E and her parents! Jess went above and beyond her duties as a nurse and I am eternally grateful for her! So too are my husband and E's parents!