I've been a registered nurse for 15 years now. I've poured myself into the profession and I love every second of caring for people. Having my daughter was the first time I personally experienced the other side of the bed.
Knowing I'm a nurse—I probably do not have to say it; however, I will anyway ... I like to be in control—my birth plan consisted of a natural birth, successful breastfeeding, and a happy/healthy baby. You know what they say about plans though ...
My almost 20 hours of labor included a Pitocin drip (which I did not want), an epidural (which I had thought I could go without—see Pitocin drip), and an episiotomy (which—let's face it—no one wants). Going into the first night of baby outside the womb, although I had the same prize as any other woman, I felt a bit defeated.
Enter Lauren Hughes, RN. First, let me say that everyone was wonderful, Lauren; however, was exceptional. Lauren worked 11p-7a with me. I found out later that she is actually dayshift, but she was helping out on nights to fill a hole, which made me like her even more (engaged team-players are my favorite kind of nurse). The eight hours that Lauren cared for me felt like way more. Attempting to breastfeed, taking care of "down there," staying awake while holding my daughter, and all the other things that come with being in the hospital on my first night was exhausting. Lauren would swoop in and out without any fuss or fiddle, solidifying each time that I was in good hands.
Lauren immediately assessed everything and inquired if I had ice packs and pain relief for my "down there" area to which I had not received yet. She showed me how to make a peri-area popsicle which was AMAZING!!! Speaking of popsicles ...
Lauren immediately set expectations with me. She inquired the last time I attempted to feed and then stated that she would be in within two hours to try again. At this point attempting to breastfeed was exhausting and anxiety-inducing. I hoped she had something up her sleeve to help. Like clockwork, Lauren entered the room and we began, together, the process of attempting to get my daughter to feed off my non-existent nipple ... who knew you needed a nipple to breastfeed ... lol. Anyway, the whole process of her helping me, that help failing to get my daughter to latch and then extracting what seemed like mere drops of colostrum from my breast was, you guessed it, defeating. Here is where the popsicles come in. After we finished, Lauren offered me a snack, to which I declined. She then suggested a popsicle, as if I was a kindergartener who just fell off the jungle gym, the thought of the popsicle seemed divine. She brought a popsicle and Italian ice, both of which I devoured and both of which were incredibly delicious and satisfying.
Lastly, I had heard horror stories of babies falling from a mother's arms, in addition to discouraging stories of nurses scolding grown women who had fallen asleep with their baby in their arms. Naturally, I was terrified of doing so, but at the same time holding my daughter was the ONLY thing I wanted to do and the ONLY thing I was good at up until this point. Yes, I did it, I fell asleep with her on my chest and Lauren found me. When I awoke, she was standing right there and I quickly apologized. Lauren comfortingly said nothing, lifted my precious prize off my chest, swaddled her and placed her ever so perfectly in her bassinet. She then stated, "You're exhausted and need some rest, I can give you some time away and put her in the nursery if you need, just let me know." My daughter slept soundly in her bassinet and I was able to get a few winks in that ever so uncomfortable bed.
In closing, if you have not seen the film Tully with Charlize Theron—you need to see it. The film follows a woman, later diagnosed with bipolar disorder, after her third baby. In the film, she and her husband hire a "night nanny" who comes each night and does everything we new moms wished we could do. The "night nanny" is marvelous and does everything absolutely perfectly. I won't tell you the ending, but just know that you, Lauren, were my "night nanny" and I will never ever forget the safeness I felt under your care. Thank you.