I came to Mission Hospital to deliver my baby girl, Madison. Not unexpectedly, she died several minutes later, peacefully in my arms. Madison had a condition known as Trisomy 18, originally diagnosed this past spring at her 20 week ultrasound. We spent many months planning for her brief life and could not believe the love and support we received from many of our care providers. All of the doctors and nurses that worked with us showed such compassion and humanity. But there is one nurse I would like to recognized and nominate for the DAISY Award, her name is Lauren Orengo.
I spent two nights laboring with Lauren and she was there for the Addison’s birth. There was so much pain and Lauren took the time to explain how to manage it with water birth, moving around, the use of an epidural, and other medications. She made me feel like I was her only patient even though I knew she had others. She was supportive during my labor, while I was pushing, and finally after three days giving birth to my baby girl. After Madison was born I was able to hold her until she passed. Lauren treated Madison like she was any other infant, dressing her, talking to her and calling her by her name. Lauren took extra care to help us capture the memory of our daughter by painstakingly taking pictures, doing footprints in clay molding, helping with her baby book, and getting us locks of her hair. Her touch was so gentle and delicate and she displayed a caring that is truly a rare gift.