I want to recognize Kara for the way she treated me while I was admitted on Labor and Delivery. I went in for induction as I was over 41 weeks pregnant with my son, who showed no interest in being born. My induction was long, around 35 hours total. I was admitted and began on a Friday morning, and did not go into active labor until 7 am the next day. Kara was my nurse that Saturday. I am a first-time mom, and my son was conceived through in-vitro fertilization. For those not familiar with that process, it is long, emotional, expensive, and invasive. I thought getting pregnant was the hard part. Labor has proved that assumption to be wrong. I wanted to do it naturally (no epidural), and to say it was difficult and painful would be an understatement. Kara was an amazing example of what a nurse should be during that process. She coached me through my contractions, supported me while I was throwing up, talked me through what to expect when my water broke and had meconium in it, and held my hand while I was delivering. She supported me emotionally and physically, no matter what I said, or how incredibly defeated I felt while I pushed uselessly for hours. I was truly at my lowest and Kara helped me maintain my dignity and privacy and never stopped encouraging me and telling me I could do it. I am so grateful that she was my nurse that day. I finally had my son at 1859 and Kara had been by my side for hours. He was cleared by the NICU in the room, and he is a healthy beautiful little boy.
I genuinely don't know if I could have done it without such an attentive, amazing nurse helping me along the way. Kara deserves the recognition for the kindness and care she shows her patients. Nursing is so much more than the clinical side (although she is skilled and knowledgeable as well). What makes a nurse stand out is the compassion they show and the impression they leave on you. As the negative memories of the pain and discouragement of that day fade, Kara will remain a shining light in my birthing story.