In May 2022, I experienced a premature rupture of membranes during the second trimester. My water had broken 16 weeks early. I was admitted to 6D, Women's Specialty for bedrest, treatment, and observation. I was given distressing statistics on risks, survivability for our baby girl, and was aware of our delicate situation. I had a two-year-old at home so my husband was unable to stay with me at night which made nights lonely and difficult. The night after admission, I began to experience contractions and signs of labor. As soon as I notified Lauren, she rushed into the room along with a team of nurses and OB physicians. The room was preparing me to proceed to the Operating Room, we had family friends on the way for my toddler, and my husband was rushing to the hospital. I was crying, "She's dying, she's dying" because we knew the possible outcome. Lauren looked at me, with tears in her eyes, and said, "I cannot guarantee anything other than we will take care of you and your baby." Her truthful reassurance kept me calm, and on the way to the Operating Room, my contractions subsided, and I spent another month in my room.

I received such great care from the 6D staff. My journey came to a close one night in June. After Lauren came on shift, I began to experience contractions. Our baby was still breech from the morning ultrasound. I did not recognize the pain as contractions, but Lauren did. She stayed in my room, monitoring me continuously. She immediately recognized I was becoming febrile. She advocated to the medical team on my behalf. As the medical team was discussing a C-Section early morning, Lauren knew the situation was imminent and began to call other team members, unplug my bed, and move me to Labor and Delivery. As it turns out, her clinical skill and recognition of labor saved our lives. Somehow, our baby turned from breech to cephalic with little fluid and was born on the Operating Room table while waiting for surgery. If Lauren had hesitated or not advocated the way she did, our premature baby could have been born on 6D or in the hallway without a NICU team present and the outcome may have been different. Instead, she was born precipitously on the OR table surrounded by medical teams and a NICU team.

We are so grateful for Lauren's honesty, compassion, advocacy, and incredibly sharp clinical skills. We are thankful our paths cross. I know she will meet thousands of patients across her lifespan and career, but she will always be a part of our birth story and memory. Nurses like Lauren are why nurses continue to be the most trusted profession. Thank you, Lauren Tompkins, RN, for your excellent care!