Samantha Sartin, RN

    
Sam was my primary nurse when I was in labor. I am a first-time mom, and since my labor and delivery went a lot faster than expected, I had a lot of questions and had to make decisions quickly. Sam met my nerves with patience and thoroughness; every concern I had was met with grace. I knew she was busy with other patients, but when she was in my room, I felt like I was her top priority. For example, I brought in my Birth Plan, and Sam was the only nurse who proactively looked through the plan that was pinned on the board and reviewed each item with me. She asked questions to make sure she understood what I was hoping for from my birthing experience and managed my expectations in case something wouldn't go as expected. I told her I was very scared to tear, wanted to avoid a C-section at all costs, and that I was interested in an epidural but only if needed, and for my husband to cut the cord.

Before I started feeling any pain, she talked to me about my pain management plans, and while knowing I was nervous about the epidural, she told me to give her a 30-minute lead time if I eventually decided I wanted it. Once the pain got too intense, I let Sam know, and she alerted the anesthesiologist right away (they came within 10 minutes, thanks to Sam's quick help). She made me feel super comfortable throughout the entire process and monitored me multiple times to make sure the epidural was evenly distributed. I regret not getting it sooner; both my husband and I were able to rest while I progressed to 10cm.

Once it was time to push, Sam told me that it would just be her and my husband since another laboring parent required more attention from the staff. Sam coached me and my husband and even helped pass the time by sharing stories and singing along with my music. It was fun and extremely intimate - I wouldn't have had it any other way; it felt very special to share this moment with my husband and just one other person whom we trusted. When I felt like giving up, she would encourage me to try a new position and cheered me on. Between each contraction, for the entire time I was pushing, she did perineal massages and put oil(?) and a hot pack on me. I knew her shift was ending soon, and she told me she knew she would see my baby before my shift ended. This was the motivation I needed to push for 2 hours, and I was left with a very minor first-degree tear.

My baby was born with a true knot, and while other staff were talking and excited about the true knot, they were prepared to cut the cord without my husband. Thankfully, my husband heard and spoke up in time, and Sam also made sure that my husband was the one to cut the cord by telling the other staff... all while Sam was taking photos of everything with my phone! If it wasn't for Sam, I wouldn't have any photos with my son at the hospital or my husband cutting the cord. I feel incredibly grateful that she was thoughtful enough to capture these photos for me.
I was lucky to have Sam as one of my postpartum nurses. My husband told me she would walk away if she saw I was resting; she would change my son's diaper whenever we needed the extra support, and shared tips on when to know my baby was gassy (like when he kicks his feet up, and we still think of her when we see he does this and immediately burp him).

I feel incredibly grateful that Sam was my nurse and that I had multiple occasions to receive care from her. I had a wonderful birthing and postpartum experience thanks to Sam!