Maddy immediately went to the NICU when she heard the team was arriving with the baby.  She served as a runner for supplies and helped keep a record of everything that was happening, allowing the team to quickly and efficiently tend to the needs of the baby girl.  She was then assigned to be mom's postpartum nurse.  Maddy was responsible for not only caring for mom's physical needs following a massive life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage but also her emotional needs as she grieved the loss of both babies.  Maddy quickly bonded with this family and made it a priority to go above and beyond in all aspects of the care she provided.  Maddy helped take photos of the babies and assisted with the process of making molds as keepsakes for this sweet family to remember their babies.  Beautiful molds were created of each baby's feet and also an unbelievably touching mold of the babies hand-in-hand. Today, the molds were dry and ready to be prepared to give to the patient. On her day off, Maddy came in because it was important to her to help create shadow boxes to provide for the family. She didn't rush but instead took her time to help make them as personalized and meaningful as possible. Once the boxes were complete, Maddy presented these mementos to the patient and her husband.  She was able to point out subtle differences represented in the molds such as how baby boy's fingers and toes were long while baby girl's were smaller and more delicate in nature.  She also demonstrated to the family that the nursing team takes the time and cares enough to notice these subtle differences and that her babies were seen and honored by those caring for them.  They expressed their appreciation of not only Maddy coming in on her day off and being a familiar face to present such a beautiful gift to a grieving family, but they also expressed how incredibly appreciative and overwhelmed they are by the care they have received as a whole throughout their stay.

I'm sharing this to recognize the Women's Center team for the incredible work they do in supporting bereaved families.  As well as to recognize the team for the incredible care they provided which allowed this family to leave with the upmost appreciation despite a devasting event.  And finally, to honor the selfless acts of nurses like Maddy who make a difference in the lives of our patients in the highest of highs and lowest of lows.  

"Nurses are there when the last breath is taken, and nurses are there when the first breath is taken.  Although it is more enjoyable to celebrate the birth, it is just as important to comfort in death." - Christine Bell