Syddora Ray
May 2021
Syddora
Ray
,
BSN, RN
Birthing Center
Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital
Cleveland
,
OH
United States
During labor, I had severe anxiety and she took her time to sit with me, rub my back, and just be there for me. She held me while I cried and made me feel so safe.
I was admitted to Fairview Hospital to be induced due to several nonreactive stress tests. I was terrified and alone as my boyfriend was working in a different state. At shift change, Syddora became my night nurse. She immediately introduced herself and seeing I was alone made me feel fully comfortable with her. During labor, I had severe anxiety and she took her time to sit with me, rub my back, and just be there for me. Once my boyfriend arrived exhausted from driving, she promised us both she would take care of me so he could get a little nap in. During the epidural, I was in extreme pain and they had a very hard time placing it. She held me while I cried and made me feel so safe. She had had the chance to go home early that night and decided not to due to my anxiety. She had told them she wanted to stay because we had such a good rapport and she didn't want me getting a new nurse so close to the end to trigger more anxiety. Upon checking me toward the end, Syddora found I had a prolapsed cord. Had Syddora not checked me at that moment, things may have turned out very differently. My baby was born and only spent an extremely short time in the NICU. My baby’s heart rate was at 50 upon arriving in the operating room. I feel Syddora was my guardian angel that night. Upon just instinct, she sensed she needed to check me. She never left my side that night, not even to eat lunch knowing the anxiety I was feeling. She also came to check on us in postpartum. She seriously is a nurse I will never forget. If it wasn't for her, I truly feel my amazing daughter wouldn't be here with me today. I have never had another nurse who felt it was her own responsibility to make sure I was ok. She went above and beyond for me that night.