On Friday, J went to a routine OB appointment for her 38-week checkup. Since that Wednesday, she hadn't been feeling great. We chalked it up to being 38 weeks pregnant. However, the doctor told her that her blood pressure was dangerously high, and she should head to Midstate to get checked out in triage.
The doctor met up with us there and said, "Hope you're okay with becoming moms this weekend!" J's due date was not for 2 more weeks. We had little prepared; a hospital bag with 2 days' worth of clothes, the car seats weren't in our cars yet, and here we were, no turning back.
We got checked in, ready or not, to have this baby. We hadn't a clue that we'd spend 6 nights there. When we got into the room, we were greeted by the warmest, friendly, funny and knowledgeable nurse, Amanda Siemann. Her incredible knowledge and experience immediately put us at ease. She was so easy to talk to, provided clear answers, and gave us every detail we needed to fully understand our options for delivery.
Amanda's confidence was comforting, reassuring and we could tell from the moment she came in, that we had the best nurse on staff. You can't help but trust and respect her. Amanda's presence kept us both calm, happy, engaged, and most of the time kept our minds off the difficult situations that lay ahead. She told us stories, used every moment to get to know us better, and she listened and remembered. Her bedside manner is the best of the best.
Because she worked nights, Amanda sometimes snuck into our room to check on J without ever making a sound. She made sure that we got the most sleep we could get. She quietly checked vitals, put extra blankets in the room for us, and got J ice chips without being asked. She even took the time to check on me, and I wasn't even the patient in the room. Amanda was comforting to my wife, who felt overwhelmed, sometimes sad, and sometimes scared. She made us laugh, reassured us, and without saying it aloud, having Amanda as our nurse let us know that everything was going to be alright. Amanda took away our stress and fear.
J was induced on Friday after a few complications and had a slow and difficult, but successful induction. Amanda kept us focused and positive the entire time. By Sunday early AM, J was dilated and ready to push. Amanda taught me the best ways to support my wife through pushing. Amanda stayed calm and encouraging, counting the pushes in a soft voice. My wife consistently reminds me of the moments in which Amanda's words were what got her to keep pushing and to feel confident that she was doing everything correctly. Amanda treated J as an individual, rather than another mother on the floor. She kept J's wishes and needs in mind with each of her actions. Amanda was always thorough in explaining to the next shift nurse everything we'd experienced and everything J needed. She made sure we were well taken care of, even when she wasn't there. This made us feel so safe.
After Amanda left from her shift, we had to have a c-section around 8:30 am that Sunday due to some complications. The only sad thought when our son was born, was that Amanda was off the next three days and we were really going to miss her! In fact, we must have said 17 times how much we wished Amanda was around. When Amanda came back for our last shift, she held our son, loved on him, and reassured us once again, how great of a job J did throughout, how adorable he is, and how we will be great mothers. She even did his footprints perfectly! She takes pride in her work, no matter how little or big the moment may be.
We had Amanda for 3 nights in a row and I can confidently say we would not have fared as well without her. Every nurse we had in our 6-night stay at Midstate was wonderful and fantastic, but Amanda is different. She is an extraordinary nurse, extraordinary at her job, and an extraordinary person. There truly aren't enough words or the right words to convey how special she is to us, and how lucky Midstate is to have her. When we tell the story of our son C's birth, we will never forget or hesitate to mention the best nurse on the floor who helped us through it all, Amanda. She is just that good, and that special. When we heard about the DAISY Award, we instantly knew that Amanda has earned this award. There is no doubt in our minds. There is so much more we could say.