Dear Olivia,

I want to thank you for doing the work you do. You made such an impact on my birth experience and I'm grateful to the point of happy tears when I think about it. I'll remember some things about that day forever, and one of the biggest things I will remember is you, the nurse who helped make it the best experience of my life.

Thursday night to Saturday morning was slow-going and disappointing, making me question my ability to have this baby at all. When Dr. A rushed in to break my water, I was overwhelmed, not ready, and kept questioning if I should just go home. You didn't judge, you just stayed by my side and when my partner was awake and with me, I remember you saying to breathe. This was exactly the kind of coaching I needed at that moment. Once he broke my water everything shifted, and I full heartedly believe it was from the energy you brought into the room. It went from being a stressful place to something to enjoy and relax into. From nervous anticipation to a time to go with the flow. I remember you asking me questions and checking my birth plan. I remember you humming cheerfully, and I remember finally being able to laugh and relax.

When I worried about having a C-section, you told me you had tricks up your sleeve and affirmatively said that we were going to deliver this baby vaginally. In a setting where I felt like even my doctor was anticipating a C-section, you were the one saying, "I know how you want your birth to go down and I'm going to help you make it happen".

I felt like you believed in me when I couldn't even believe in myself. You helped me to believe I could do this thing. I felt like you gave me total control over what I wanted, even food prior to the epidural and pain management while still supporting and guiding me through everything. I'm thrilled you were the first person to ever touch my son. When he's older I'll tell him his first touch was by an angel. I never anticipated my birth to be as quick, pain-free, fun, and actually enjoyable as it was. I feel so fortunate to be able to remember every part of that day so fondly. I'm proud of my body and you helped me see what I am capable of.

Bless the whole team at Tarzana, but also bless peanut balls, epidurals, a cervix that finally cooperated, babies moving down on their own, nursing tricks of the trade and Bless compassionate, intuitive nurses like yourself. Mostly, Bless You for being exactly the kind of nurse I needed every step of the way. From the bottom of my heart, forever and always, I thank you for helping me get my baby into this world in such a relaxed, happy, go with the flow way. You were a witness to my son's entrance into this world and you helped my life-changing moment be the most positive, ecstatic, heavenly thing I've ever gone through. It was a blessing to have you as my nurse.