Tracy Sharpe
June 2019
Tracy
Sharpe
,
RN-C
Labor & Deliver
Swedish Medical Center - First Hill
Seattle
,
WA
United States
I was hospitalized for the birth of my first child. I was 41 weeks and 2 days pregnant, so induction was necessary. Being an acute care registered nurse and my husband being a hospital medicine physician, being on the "patient" side of the hospital was daunting for both of us.
I was transferred from 5 Southwest to 5 East to begin a different induction medication. That is when we met Tracy. Tracy offered for me to take a shower and set everything up for me. After being confined to a bed for the last day, Tracy applied a wireless fetal heart rate and contraction monitor so that my husband and I could walk around the unit. Being stuck in a room and attached to a bed had made me feel like there was something wrong with me necessitating me being hospitalized. I remember thanking Tracy that evening for making me feel like myself again.
The next day I was blessed to have Tracy as my nurse. Tracy was kind to my family and explained what was happening to my three curious stepdaughters as my labor progressed. She comforted me as I got an epidural and encouraged me to let her know how I was feeling. As a nurse, I didn't want to complain or make requests and Tracy saw that and anticipated my needs. When I began feeling dizzy and nauseated, Tracy comforted me and had the anesthesiologist come assess me. When my baby's heart rate became irregular, she made sure the correct form of monitoring was being used.
At one point my baby's position wasn't ideal for a vaginal delivery. To help prevent a c-section, Tracy kept assisting me to change positions in bed to help my baby move. That night, about two hours after Tracy's shift was over, I gave birth to my daughter. I truly believe my labor went smoothly because of Tracy and the amazing care she provided. Spending 5 days in the hospital was not what I expected when I pictured the birth of my first child. The two days that Tracy was my nurse made all the difference in the world. Tracy went above and beyond the call of duty. Tracy's love for her job is so evident and her expertise was comforting.
I was transferred from 5 Southwest to 5 East to begin a different induction medication. That is when we met Tracy. Tracy offered for me to take a shower and set everything up for me. After being confined to a bed for the last day, Tracy applied a wireless fetal heart rate and contraction monitor so that my husband and I could walk around the unit. Being stuck in a room and attached to a bed had made me feel like there was something wrong with me necessitating me being hospitalized. I remember thanking Tracy that evening for making me feel like myself again.
The next day I was blessed to have Tracy as my nurse. Tracy was kind to my family and explained what was happening to my three curious stepdaughters as my labor progressed. She comforted me as I got an epidural and encouraged me to let her know how I was feeling. As a nurse, I didn't want to complain or make requests and Tracy saw that and anticipated my needs. When I began feeling dizzy and nauseated, Tracy comforted me and had the anesthesiologist come assess me. When my baby's heart rate became irregular, she made sure the correct form of monitoring was being used.
At one point my baby's position wasn't ideal for a vaginal delivery. To help prevent a c-section, Tracy kept assisting me to change positions in bed to help my baby move. That night, about two hours after Tracy's shift was over, I gave birth to my daughter. I truly believe my labor went smoothly because of Tracy and the amazing care she provided. Spending 5 days in the hospital was not what I expected when I pictured the birth of my first child. The two days that Tracy was my nurse made all the difference in the world. Tracy went above and beyond the call of duty. Tracy's love for her job is so evident and her expertise was comforting.