When you go to have a baby in your head you think everything is going to go perfectly. You dream about it being simple, safe, and easy, but that is not always the case and when things go wrong it is nice to know that there are individuals working that make a difference. All of the OB nurses were wonderful during my stay, but one nurse went above and beyond her duties. Jill John was there after I was induced. The induction started out fine and progression was happening. A nurse called in sick for the night shift and another nurse was coming in to cover the shift, but Jill chose to stay and assist if needed because it was getting busy in the OB. Since she worked the day she was going to get some sleep while the progression was happening. I started to have problems and Jill stayed awake and continued to help the staff. She assessed the situation and knew things were not progressing as they should. All of the sudden time began to fly and I was being poked and prodded, but Jill continued to keep me informed. I was rushed back to an emergent C-section in the middle of the night. It is hard to realize as a mom that your baby is not going to be placed in your arms with a section, but it makes you feel better to know that your baby is being placed into a wonderful nurse's arms with the delivery.
According to my husband, Jill worked hard in the nursery to help our baby breath while working on the transfer information. She made sure the footprints were done prior to transfer and I treasure those footprints. When I was out of recovery all I could think about was getting to my baby and I really don't remember those around me, but I do remember going into the nursery and hearing Jill say, "how about some skin to skin! Here is your baby!" It makes me cry to think about how amazing it felt to hold my baby in my arms and Jill made sure it happened prior to baby being transferred. She was up for over 24 hours and no one would have known differently. She came into my room the next day and you could see that the outcome affected her as a nurse and a person. She wanted to see the outcome, that the baby was in my arms and not in Des Moines, but the baby was safe and alive. It takes a special person to want to help see a delivery through safely and to stick it out for 24 hours. Thank you, Jill!