I was 32 weeks pregnant on the dot. My water broke and I got to the hospital. I was terrified when they told me they couldn’t stop labor. When I heard the words “You are going to have a baby today,” I burst into tears. I was hysterical. I knew my baby was going to be a Preemie and end up in the NICU. Shelley came right over and comforted me immediately. She assured me that the NICU team here could take care of my baby girl. She told me that I already had the steroid shots last week when she tried to come, and her lungs were given their best chance. It was not just the words she said, but how she said them. She was very soothing and comforting and took me from a full-blown panic attack to calm, relaxed, and feeling like I could do this today.

When it was time to push, I looked at Shelley and she knew I was terrified. I told her I was scared and again, her calm and comforting demeanor brought me back down and gave me the confidence that I needed to bring my daughter into the world. I am a first-time mom, and I was so scared throughout the whole process. Shelley is the reason I could get through it. It was like she was hand-picked for me and I couldn’t have done it without her. My daughter is here, and she is a perfect little NICU Preemie. Thank you, Shelley, you made a huge difference in my life!