I was recently admitted to the hospital as a patient to our labor and delivery ward and I wanted to make sure I took time to share with you my experience. I became pregnant with my first child last year. I have attended all the prenatal classes with St. Francis, which were great by the way, and I had my heart set to have a vaginal birth. At 32 weeks pregnant we found out our baby boy was breech and that I would have to have a c-section if he did not turn. Dr. S and I decided to try to do an external cephalic version to try and turn the baby, and that is when I met Desiree Smith.
Desiree has an amazing bedside manner and she was very thorough in making sure I understood exactly what was going to happen and to let them know if it became too much pain to tolerate. Desiree made me feel comfortable in an otherwise very uncomfortable situation. Dr. S did the best he could but unfortunately the baby would not turn, and it was at that point my ideal birthing experience was no longer a possibility.
As I failed to hold back my tears of disappointment, Desiree was there for me, allowing me time to take things in and gathering myself before she began my discharge teaching. I was so scared to have a major surgery on top of having my first child. The nurses who did my preop that day before my surgery could tell I was very nervous about the big day and they went above and beyond to give me a one on one tour of the facility and to answer all my questions to help ease my fear. On the way out of the department, I passed none other than Desiree, and when she found out I was having my c-section the next day, she made sure to have me assigned to her. You don't understand how much that meant to me. I was beyond scared. I was scared to have a baby. I was scared to have a huge needle in my back. I was scared to have surgery. I was scared of the pain. I was terrified. Knowing I would have a familiar face at the bedside with me through the scariest parts made sleep the night before a possibility.
Desiree explained everything to me, she comforted me while anesthesia did my spinal block, she was the one who first helped my son latch on for his first feeding, and again she was there to answer all my many questions.
I had a great experience all around during my visit at the hospital. I definitely appreciate Gary from anesthesiology who talked me through the c-section as it happened, and he definitely deserves recognition as well. Desiree however, went above and beyond by all means, and I am hoping Desiree can receive some type of recognition for being such an amazing nurse. Although I was unable to have my "ideal" delivery that I imagined, she and the rest of the team made my delivery "perfect" for me, and I greatly appreciate them for their hard work.