Meridith
Rudolph
May 2013
Meridith
Rudolph
,
RN
Labor & Delivery
Winchester Medical Center
Winchester
,
VA
United States
As I sit here admiring my beautiful and healthy son I can't help but to think back to the day he was born. If I weren't for RN Meridith Rudolph in Labor and Delivery, I'm not sure what would've happened to me or my son Elijah. Before I continue, please forgive me Meridith for not sending this nomination weeks ago.
My water broke the morning of December 12th and I was admitted to Labor and Delivery in room 5. RN Meridith Rudolph was assigned to me and I was thankful she was because she was extremely friendly, caring, funny, thoughtful, etc; everything I wanted in a nurse for the delivery of my son.
It seemed like days in room 5. My labor wasn't progressing and it became so frustrating. Meridith was there encouraging me the whole time. Unfortunately, her shift ended and she needed to head home but she went out of her way to recommend a specific nurse who would continue encouraging me in my delivery (We did joke about how she would reassign herself to me if I didn't have Elijah the next day).
It was now early morning on December 13th. I thought sure my boy would've been in my arms already but that wasn't the case. I was only 2 cm dilated. I had to start Pitocin which I dreaded. I made it as long as I could but only made it to 3cm. After laboring as naturally as possible I opted for the epidural. Unfortunately the epidural was administered too deep and it only numbed my right side. I labored for hours feeling every contraction on my left side. I also had really severe shakes due to the Pitocin. I was desperate for anything that would ease the pain and fear I had. Dr Henderson, the anesthesiologist on call that night, came to my rescue and removed the first epidural and administered a new one! That one did the trick and instantly relieved my pain. The nurse then increased my Pitocin and I was well on my way to delivery.
It was now daylight and still no Elijah! But I was 7am and there was Meridith! She kept her word and was reassigned to me. She wanted to be there to deliver my son. During our stay, we (meaning my husband Aaron, best friend Deanna and my mother Lisa) all grew to love Meridith. She made us feel like we were at home. Anyways, she checked my dilation at 8am and I was 9cm! I was thrilled to be so close to pushing and seeing my little Elijah!
8:30am came around and still no Elijah! So frustrating because I knew it had to be close. It just had to be time. At this point, it had been 24 hours since my water broke; I was shaking uncontrollably and started getting a fever, which increased drastically in just a matter of minutes. I felt horrible. Everything from that moment on seemed like a blur to me but in that blur was Meridith offering a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, a cup of ice to chew, but most of all-just there. She had this certain look about her that no matter what, she wouldn't leave my side-and she didn't. Maybe to some they would say "It's just her job" but to me and my family she went above and beyond her job to love and care for me like her own daughter.
Dr Leonard came in and announced that I would need an emergency C-section. I cried so much and Meridith was there at my bedside comforting me. I was wheeled back to the operating room, prepped for the surgery and within 20 minutes or so there was my beautiful, not so little, son Elijah! Because I had a severe fever and the potential of having an infection, which I did, I didn't get to hold Elijah or see him for hours after recovery.
Meridith watched over me until about lunch time. I desperately wanted to see my son at this point. I labored for 24 hours, had an emergency C-section and I was ready to hold him, kiss him, rock him, feed him! Elijah was taken to the nursery right after birth. He was still there so on my way to the Mother/Baby department, Meridith took me by the nursery. In my opinion, I feel this next part is the reason why Meridith should receive the DAISY Award. She personally requested that I get to hold him since I hadn't gotten to yet. Even though it was only for a minute it was the best minute ever. Because of her I was able to hold my son and make a lasting memory with him. I sang to him. He looked up at me and smiled. I will cherish that moment forever thanks to Meridith. Meridith then took me to room 222. I thought surely this would be the last time I saw her but to my amazement on the third day she came by to visit. I was very blessed by that.
In closing, I believe Meridith Rudolph deserves the DAISY Award. Everyone else thinks so too! She went above and beyond her duty as a nurse to love and care for me and Elijah. Although my birthing story was pretty intense and unexpected, Meridith made my stay much easier. Thanks to her my son and I are alive and well!
My water broke the morning of December 12th and I was admitted to Labor and Delivery in room 5. RN Meridith Rudolph was assigned to me and I was thankful she was because she was extremely friendly, caring, funny, thoughtful, etc; everything I wanted in a nurse for the delivery of my son.
It seemed like days in room 5. My labor wasn't progressing and it became so frustrating. Meridith was there encouraging me the whole time. Unfortunately, her shift ended and she needed to head home but she went out of her way to recommend a specific nurse who would continue encouraging me in my delivery (We did joke about how she would reassign herself to me if I didn't have Elijah the next day).
It was now early morning on December 13th. I thought sure my boy would've been in my arms already but that wasn't the case. I was only 2 cm dilated. I had to start Pitocin which I dreaded. I made it as long as I could but only made it to 3cm. After laboring as naturally as possible I opted for the epidural. Unfortunately the epidural was administered too deep and it only numbed my right side. I labored for hours feeling every contraction on my left side. I also had really severe shakes due to the Pitocin. I was desperate for anything that would ease the pain and fear I had. Dr Henderson, the anesthesiologist on call that night, came to my rescue and removed the first epidural and administered a new one! That one did the trick and instantly relieved my pain. The nurse then increased my Pitocin and I was well on my way to delivery.
It was now daylight and still no Elijah! But I was 7am and there was Meridith! She kept her word and was reassigned to me. She wanted to be there to deliver my son. During our stay, we (meaning my husband Aaron, best friend Deanna and my mother Lisa) all grew to love Meridith. She made us feel like we were at home. Anyways, she checked my dilation at 8am and I was 9cm! I was thrilled to be so close to pushing and seeing my little Elijah!
8:30am came around and still no Elijah! So frustrating because I knew it had to be close. It just had to be time. At this point, it had been 24 hours since my water broke; I was shaking uncontrollably and started getting a fever, which increased drastically in just a matter of minutes. I felt horrible. Everything from that moment on seemed like a blur to me but in that blur was Meridith offering a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, a cup of ice to chew, but most of all-just there. She had this certain look about her that no matter what, she wouldn't leave my side-and she didn't. Maybe to some they would say "It's just her job" but to me and my family she went above and beyond her job to love and care for me like her own daughter.
Dr Leonard came in and announced that I would need an emergency C-section. I cried so much and Meridith was there at my bedside comforting me. I was wheeled back to the operating room, prepped for the surgery and within 20 minutes or so there was my beautiful, not so little, son Elijah! Because I had a severe fever and the potential of having an infection, which I did, I didn't get to hold Elijah or see him for hours after recovery.
Meridith watched over me until about lunch time. I desperately wanted to see my son at this point. I labored for 24 hours, had an emergency C-section and I was ready to hold him, kiss him, rock him, feed him! Elijah was taken to the nursery right after birth. He was still there so on my way to the Mother/Baby department, Meridith took me by the nursery. In my opinion, I feel this next part is the reason why Meridith should receive the DAISY Award. She personally requested that I get to hold him since I hadn't gotten to yet. Even though it was only for a minute it was the best minute ever. Because of her I was able to hold my son and make a lasting memory with him. I sang to him. He looked up at me and smiled. I will cherish that moment forever thanks to Meridith. Meridith then took me to room 222. I thought surely this would be the last time I saw her but to my amazement on the third day she came by to visit. I was very blessed by that.
In closing, I believe Meridith Rudolph deserves the DAISY Award. Everyone else thinks so too! She went above and beyond her duty as a nurse to love and care for me and Elijah. Although my birthing story was pretty intense and unexpected, Meridith made my stay much easier. Thanks to her my son and I are alive and well!