Becky was my labor and delivery nurse for the birth of my daughter, R, and to this day, whenever I tell my birth story, Becky is one of the first names I say, alongside my OB. The two of them are the reason I was able to have the birth I wanted, in a place I initially wasn’t sure I even wanted to be. I began my labor at a birthing center, where I labored unmedicated for 17 hours before being transferred to Skagit Valley Hospital. By the time I arrived, I was at my absolute lowest, physically exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed, and unsure of what would happen next.

From the moment I walked into my labor room at 5 a.m. until 5 p.m., Becky was there for me every step of the way. Her presence was constant, steady, and deeply reassuring. She didn’t just care for me clinically; she saw me, supported me, and believed in me, even in moments when I stopped believing in myself. Shortly after I arrived, I hit a point where I felt completely overwhelmed and disconnected. Becky came to me, grabbed me by the shoulders, grounded me, and told me it was going to be okay. She reminded me to breathe and brought me back to myself in a moment where I felt completely lost. That moment changed everything for me. Becky was a fierce advocate for my birth plan. Even when I started to give up on it, she didn’t. She held onto it for me when I couldn’t hold onto it for myself.

Alongside my OB, she advocated for me in ways I didn’t even know I needed. At one point, I was convinced I wasn’t progressing and broke down in tears. Becky immediately stepped in with calm determination, doing everything in her power to support my body and help me continue moving forward. Because of Becky, I was able to have the birth experience I had hoped for. The only thing I wish had been different is that Becky wasn’t there for the exact moment my daughter entered the world. I truly wish she could have been. I still think about how much I would love for her to meet R. Everything about Becky's presence in my labor and delivery room made it okay. In the most intense, vulnerable, and uncertain moments of my life, she was steady, compassionate, and strong. I wish every mother going through labor, especially those who feel scared or unsure, could have a nurse like Becky by their side. She is extraordinary, and I will never forget the role she played in bringing my daughter into the world.