Giving birth is one of the most vulnerable things a woman can do. Not only are we in constant pain, but we feel incredibly exposed and oftentimes fearful. A lot can go wrong when delivering a baby; having a nurse who goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable can completely change your birth experience. Masuka was that nurse for me. She was with me from the start of my induction, cracking jokes to put me at ease. In my most fearful moments, she was there to guide and reassure me. When I had endless questions about what was happening to me and all my “what if?” worries, she patiently explained everything in a way I could easily understand.

At some point, the contraction pain dominated; Masuka worked with me to come up with a pain management plan to ensure I was as comfortable as possible. And when the pain became overwhelming, she shared personal anecdotes to distract me. Masuka’s shift ended before my baby was born. I expressed how nervous I was to get another nurse at such a late point in my labor. Masuka went out of her way to find an experienced nurse to help bring me over the finish line. She introduced me to her and made sure I was completely comfortable before ending her shift.

The next day, on her day off, Masuka came back to the hospital to meet my baby and ensure I had a great finish to my birthing experience. A great nurse is not always one who has the chance to do something heroic in a high-stakes moment; a great nurse is one who is a constant companion, a calming influence, and an unexpected friend. Masuka Magambo deserves the DAISY Award because, during my most vulnerable moments, she was the light that helped bring me through.