We had a mother on postpartum whose baby was in the NICU, the baby was not doing well and not expected to make it.

The patient asked staff to get her in contact with her day shift labor nurse, Kristy, so she could “meet the baby” before he passed. I called Kristy, and she did not question the request at all. She said she’d see the mom right away, and she quickly went to the NICU to be with the parents and meet the baby. Kristy spent hours with the mom, comforting her. It was obvious that the mother bonded with Kristy and wanted her at her bedside to comfort her during this difficult time.

The baby did not survive, but the mother was so appreciative that Kristy took the time to be with her. Before Kristy left the patient’s side, she made sure to check if we could provide some meal tickets to the mom’s support person in case he wasn’t able to get food or he didn’t have to leave to get it.