In January I was directed by my OBGYN to check in to the labor and delivery unit of Fairview Ridges Hospital. I was only 4 months and 2 days pregnant. My OBGYN suspected that my water had broken early, and so I went in to see if that was the case.

Natalie Steele was the first nurse assigned to me before shift change. She was calm, self-assured, professional, and took the time to explain each test before performing it. She was patient and thoroughly answered any questions my husband and I had. She didn't judge me after performing one of the more invasive tests, instead she was empathetic. She said, "Don't worry, this test is hard for nearly every woman I've ever performed it on, you're not the only one to experience discomfort or pain. It's totally normal," when I had said something like, "I bet I seem like a huge wimp to you.". This was our first pregnancy and this was a stressful situation.

In the one hour we had Natalie as our nurse, she made such an impact on both my husband and I. She was knowledgeable, excellent, and her bedside manner was impeccable. She took the extra time to wheel me down to the ultrasound area when there were no transport staff members available. Instead of leaving me to wait even longer for the test, she went the extra mile and took me herself. She knew exactly what to say when my husband and I had no idea what we were in for - she said, "I'm really sorry you both have to be here right now under these circumstances and I hope everything works out for you all."

Even now, four weeks later, after I had a procedure to remove the baby I had miscarried that night, I still think of how amazing that first nurse, Natalie, was. The brief experience of having her as my nurse, during one of the most stressful and painful times of my life, will live on with me for the rest of mine.