I have worked with Michelle for over 14 years and knew that she was an extraordinary nurse, but this was abundantly clear when I was on the receiving end of her nursing care. I had my son in July and your viewpoint definitely shifts when you are on the patient side of events. I was in the process of a long induction and then I needed a cesarean section to safely deliver my child.
Michelle was the nursery nurse that day and I am so thankful for that. My cesarean section was a long process and it was very uncomfortable for me, but Michelle was right there throughout the whole process. She was there when they were doing my anesthesia and then she was there for me throughout the long procedure. We do skin-to-skin in the operating room for patients, but Michelle went out of her way to hold my son on the breast for over an hour. She literally stood by and helped him with the latch and position because I was not in a position that I could do it. She held him on the entire procedure and then helped me in the PACU!
My son is now 7 months old and still, exclusively breastfeeds. I never had to give him formula and he has breastfed well since. I am convinced that my breastfeeding experience has been great because of this early contact that Michelle facilitated.