Kathy was there when I was first admitted to labor and delivery. I am a first-time mom, and I was very nervous about laboring, especially because I had to be induced. Kathy was calm and communicative, and it was clear that my comfort was her priority. She held my hand when the doctor inserted the balloon and started the Pitocin. When she noticed that many of my family members were in and out of my room and that they were making me nervous, she suggested that we come up with a code word so that she could usher everyone out if I got overwhelmed, and so I would not have to hurt anyone feelings.
Kathy's shift ended soon after my labor started, but she expressed regret that she would not be there and told me that she would be back in the morning. Although she hoped my labor would not last that long. It did, however, and shortly before I delivered my daughter, she was my nurse again. She told me that she had called before she came in and asked if I was still there. Then she requested to be my nurse again. This meant so much to me; she seemed to truly care about my baby's wellbeing and mine.
While I was delivering, she was calm and encouraging. She adjusted my epidural as requested. She helped me push longer than I thought that I could, and reassured me when I was scared. After my daughter's birth, she helped me and my husband figure out when and how to allow family members to come in so that I would be most comfortable. She helped me figure out how best to care for my incisions and stitches. She also made diaper ice packs for me because she thought they were better than the ice packs provided by the hospital. She made sure I was comfortable and settled in the mother-baby unit before she said goodbye. Every step of the way, I felt that she was on my side.