My patient was having severe abdominal contractions with breastfeeding and was in tears with pain. Right when she told me about her discomfort, Dr. B got here for the newborn's ENT consult. I asked Jackie to please take my patient her pain medication while I went with the baby and Dr. B for the procedure. The father came with us and observed through the nursery window.
When the father and I walked back down to their room with the baby, his eyes lit up and he quickly walked over to the room to hug Jackie. I asked how they all knew each other and if Jackie had been their nurse with their daughter, and they told me that she had been the most amazing nurse and they'd never forgotten her. The patient said that during her post-partum hemorrhage on MIU, she had not slept in 48 hours, everyone was pressing on her belly and working hard to control her bleeding.
Although she knew it was an emergency, the patient said that she started crying saying that she wanted everyone to please leave her alone because she just couldn't handle anymore. She said at that moment, Jackie walked over and said, "I need everyone to move back so I can give my patient her baby." She picked up the baby who was in her bassinet against the wall on the other side of the room and placed her skin-to-skin on her chest. The patient said at that moment, having someone bring her baby to her and consider the comforting presence of being close to her daughter, was unforgettable.
The father said, "It just makes me want to cry because it was so scary to see her in so much pain, and watching Jackie control the situation and put our daughter on her chest and give her that comfort meant so much to me."
I just wanted to pass this along because so often, especially in emergencies, we forget to care for our patient's emotional needs and focus on their physical needs. This family was so touched and comforted by Jackie's presence and thoughtfulness that they instantly remembered her years later. They said it really was a moment they will never forget.