Our experience in the labor and delivery unit was short, however, our lives were impacted in a way that we never saw coming. Two days prior to my due date I noticed a change and was told to come to the hospital to get checked out. We were greeted by Tudy and she began to admit us to the unit. Although I was anxious, Tudy worked to ease my mind during the waiting. Although I was full of nerves and anticipation, we didn't expect to get the news that we received. Our sweet baby boy no longer had a heartbeat and was no longer with us. Although I had just met her, Tudy showed me so much compassion and just held me as I cried and she knew there was nothing else she could do or say. She was so genuine and suddenly didn't feel like a stranger anymore. These moments will continue to be very special to me in the years to come.
Unfortunately, this wasn't the end of a nightmare, we still had more to experience. Shortly after we met Amber, who would be taking over for the rest of the night. Amber was extremely patient with my husband making us feel like her only priority knowing that they were a very busy unit that night. Amber sat down on our level and answered every question perfectly and in such a calming way. Again, another stranger became an angel in disguise for me and my husband. Amber worked hard to ease my nerves through the rest of the night as we induced labor and my nightmare continued.
Shift change arrives and I'm greeted by my new nurse, Kyleigh. Amber said I was ready to deliver. Amber, without hesitation, told me she was going to stay after her shift to be with us, having no idea how long this would take. This meant the world to me in that moment and it was comforting to know how much she cared. She stayed over an hour after her shift and helped deliver our sweet angel. Again, Amber worked so hard to meet all of my needs throughout her shift and exceeded all of our expectations. Kyleigh took over my care without missing a beat and showing the consistent compassion I had received throughout the night. She worked hard to make the tough questions easier and put together the sweetest keepsakes for us to take home. These are some of the only things I will have of my son and she went above and beyond for us. Kyleigh gave me all the time I wanted with my baby and supported me as I would have to do the most unnatural thing a mother could ever do - leave the hospital without her baby. The only thing in this nightmare that could be controlled was the care I received and all three of these ladies exceeded both of our expectations.
We left the hospital and I didn't realize our nurses would continue to blow us away. We held a visitation for our son the following week and truly had no idea what to expect. Amber and Tudy took time out of their personal lives to come and show us more love and support at his visitation. They sought out this opportunity completely on their own. Their actions continued to shock me and it immediately brought tears to my husband's eyes when they arrived at the visitation. I couldn't believe it and never expected it, I continued to talk about how amazing they were for the rest of the night.
While this was a nightmare for us, I know these nurses also felt our pain and deserve to be recognized for their extraordinary care to myself, my husband, and our sweet baby. We were surrounded by angels and I can never thank them enough for the courage and compassion shown to my little family.