I would like several minutes of your time to highlight a fabulous nurse, Pam Harrelson. She was of vital importance to my family and me in my journey to deliver my daughter. Let me, a WakeMed Nurse, explain what she did for me and my family.

Being a first time mom, I was quite nervous about the labor and delivery portion of my experience toward motherhood. I came in to Cary Hospital's Women's Pavilion on the morning of November 11. I was scheduled for an induction because I was at 41 weeks gestation, but Praise the Lord, I had gone into labor naturally, prior to my arrival. I was brought to room number 10 to start the labor and delivery process, and I was no stranger to this room. I had already come in a few weeks prior for monitoring of my baby because she wasn't moving as much in a 24 hour period. During this brief stay, Pam was my nurse, and she was so thorough and encouraging. I was somewhat embarrassed for having come in for monitoring and apologized to Pam for the same, during my discharge. I was apologizing because while I was at the hospital, my baby girl was quite active. Pam encouraged me by saying, "I would rather you come in a hundred times for false alarms, than to not come in and miss the real deal". Her words and actions that day empowered me to do what's best for my baby, no matter the consequences to me or my pride.

Now, it was the morning of 11/7; I was having contractions, 3-5 minutes apart and lasting 1-2 minutes a piece. The pain was intense, and my anxiety of what to expect was high. When Pam walked into my room that morning, my fears were relieved because I knew I was in competent and encouraging hands. The Lord had answered one of my many prayers for the day: I am blessed she was my labor and delivery nurse. Pam is a nurse who exemplifies the best combination of capability and compassion!

Pam was also my advocate that day! In 2 hours, I had dilated almost 4 cm and my pain was becoming unbearable. Pam empowered me to request an epidural at the perfect time. Had I waited any longer, I probably wouldn't have been able to receive the pain relief. Her skills didn't stop there. After I had the epidural for over an hour, Pam noticed my progress was slowing down. She was quick to realize my water hadn't broken at home. Therefore, she called my doctor in to come evaluate me. He had to finish breaking my water, and then it was discovered the meconium was in the amniotic fluid. Hearing that news was scary because my nephew was born five years earlier, and he aspirated the meconium. He had respiratory distress and was airlifted to NICU for one week's stay. With this in my mind, I looked to Pam whose calm competence encouraged me to have faith all would be okay.

A few minutes after the doctor broke my water, Baby Girl's heart rate decelerated. Pam intervened by repositioning me, and then had the doctor back to my side within a minute. Her quick response averted a crisis. A couple of hours later, with internal monitoring in place, I told Pam I was feeling a lot of pressure. She was right beside me, completely monitoring my contractions and my baby's heart rate. Within seconds, there was a swat team of nurses in my room. Pam was at the helm, but everyone was doing their part to aid in my rapid response situation. I didn't quite realize at the time, but I was having a 9 minute contraction which caused Baby Girl's heart rate to stop. In the repositioning of my body, the internal monitoring popped off; Pam was swift to throw the external monitor back on to check on my baby; all the while speaking to me calmly about what to do. Knowing I was in such capable hands, I was able to remain calm! The Lord answered our prayers again, and Pam aided us in averting another crisis.

With time and progress marching on, an hour and half later, it came time for me to push. Pam was ready with a plan to help me meet my long awaited baby. She was able to instill confidence in my family at the bedside and delegate appropriate tasks for them to be involved in this miraculous event. With my mother sitting in the chair at my side, my husband at my head, my sister with one leg and Pam with the other leg, we started an arduous 2-hour pushing fest. Pam was so helpful during those longest 2 hours of my life. She was encouraging to me and compassionate to my exhaustion. She was quick to realize my baby was stuck in my pelvis. For every push I made, my baby was going back up into my pelvis when the pushing stopped. Pam advocated on my behalf to have the doctor come in and assist my baby in the transition. She was my voice when I didn't have the words to speak. She was my encourager when I didn't have the proper breathing techniques. She was my strength when I didn't have the energy to hold up my leg nor push. And, she was the one to make me open my eyes and see my Baby Girl born into this world! I would have missed the miracle had it not been for Pam. I would have probably had an emergent cesarean had it not been for Pam's swift interventions and loving care for me and my baby. I wouldn't have had the awesome birthing experience/outcome without Pam.

My husband and I were able to tell Pam how much we appreciated and valued her when all settled down. But that is really not enough. She deserves many accolades for her Consistent Competency, Compassion, and Care; for her Advocacy; for the Respectful Relationship she established with me and my loved ones; for her Excellence, Experience, and Expertise; and for the Safety she showed. She exemplifies what it means to be a WakeMed nurse and lives out the C.A.R.E.S Professional Practice Model.

I am proud and thankful Pam was my labor and delivery nurse!