Olivia Wyant
September 2021
Olivia
Wyant
,
RN
Family Birthing Center/Labor and Delivery
Altru Health System
Grand Forks
,
ND
United States
Olivia was curious, concerned, open-minded, supportive and the best advocate I could have been given in a time of dire need.
After experiencing a difficult miscarriage, my wife was looking forward to the comfort and familiarity of her doctor delivering our first child. Unfortunately, she retired one week prior to her due date, leaving my wife and me feeling overwhelmed and unguided – like a rudderless ship. While all of our nurse caregivers exceeded our expectations, Olivia stood out as the person we needed. I recall looking at my wife and saying, “it’s amazing how sometimes the right person comes into your life at the exact time you need them.”
It turned out after 39 hours that Olivia was an angel to my wife, myself, and my son. She was always there when we needed her most. Her professionalism and knowledge gave my wife confidence and encouragement. It seemed as though she always had a solution. She knew how to take care of my wife’s pain and discomfort, she helped focus and calm her mind, and she provided clear and concise guidance – always delivered in a warm, clear, and concise way. Olivia not only inspired and advocated for my wife but also my son. Following delivery, Olivia ensured our wishes for skin-to-skin were met and she stayed to comfort my wife during surgery. Her ability to combine her skill and knowledge of the delivery room equipment meant that over the course of 39 hours she always had something new to offer.
From me to Olivia – thank you. I was scared, overwhelmed, disoriented, and exhausted. You provided leadership for me, ultimately making me a better support person for my wife. You have forever changed our lives and we are eternally grateful. We are so glad our lives crossed paths.
***
Olivia is our angel. In fact, I just started writing this and I’m already teary-eyed just thinking of her. After losing my doctor just one week prior to delivering my baby due to retirement, I was feeling lost, insecure, and unsupported medically in my pregnancy journey. Then Olivia walked into our hospital room. She was curious, concerned, open-minded, supportive and the best advocate I could have been given in a time of dire need. She listened to my story, studied my birth plan, and heard my concerns about my new doctor, our lack of a relationship, and the lack of trust I had in his plan due to this. She held my fears and concerns, offered advice, proposed alternative solutions, and followed protocol. I felt safe, supported, heard, and empowered by her. She was well versed in both normal medical protocol as well as alternative ways to get me further into labor. She recommended things but always left the decision up to me. Ultimately, we were with her for 26 hours of my 39-hour labor/delivery. She encouraged me during a long and difficult labor, listened to my fears, and talked me through them regarding the use of forceps – which ultimately led to the delivery of a beautiful baby boy. She made sure we had skin-to-skin contact immediately even though my placenta was stuck and I was hemorrhaging. It was an out-of-body experience to have so much light and love on the top half of my body while experiencing significant trauma and pain on the bottom half. This positive half was thanks to her. As soon as the doctor informed us a D&C was necessary, she made sure my husband had skin-to-skin contact and would be with our baby in the NICU. This gave us both peace of mind. At this point, her shift should have been over, but this angel came with me into the OR. The procedure began with her standing next to me offering reassurance and ended with her holding my hand. She is our angel! Neither my baby nor I may have survived without her. Our family has so much love for Olivia.
It turned out after 39 hours that Olivia was an angel to my wife, myself, and my son. She was always there when we needed her most. Her professionalism and knowledge gave my wife confidence and encouragement. It seemed as though she always had a solution. She knew how to take care of my wife’s pain and discomfort, she helped focus and calm her mind, and she provided clear and concise guidance – always delivered in a warm, clear, and concise way. Olivia not only inspired and advocated for my wife but also my son. Following delivery, Olivia ensured our wishes for skin-to-skin were met and she stayed to comfort my wife during surgery. Her ability to combine her skill and knowledge of the delivery room equipment meant that over the course of 39 hours she always had something new to offer.
From me to Olivia – thank you. I was scared, overwhelmed, disoriented, and exhausted. You provided leadership for me, ultimately making me a better support person for my wife. You have forever changed our lives and we are eternally grateful. We are so glad our lives crossed paths.
***
Olivia is our angel. In fact, I just started writing this and I’m already teary-eyed just thinking of her. After losing my doctor just one week prior to delivering my baby due to retirement, I was feeling lost, insecure, and unsupported medically in my pregnancy journey. Then Olivia walked into our hospital room. She was curious, concerned, open-minded, supportive and the best advocate I could have been given in a time of dire need. She listened to my story, studied my birth plan, and heard my concerns about my new doctor, our lack of a relationship, and the lack of trust I had in his plan due to this. She held my fears and concerns, offered advice, proposed alternative solutions, and followed protocol. I felt safe, supported, heard, and empowered by her. She was well versed in both normal medical protocol as well as alternative ways to get me further into labor. She recommended things but always left the decision up to me. Ultimately, we were with her for 26 hours of my 39-hour labor/delivery. She encouraged me during a long and difficult labor, listened to my fears, and talked me through them regarding the use of forceps – which ultimately led to the delivery of a beautiful baby boy. She made sure we had skin-to-skin contact immediately even though my placenta was stuck and I was hemorrhaging. It was an out-of-body experience to have so much light and love on the top half of my body while experiencing significant trauma and pain on the bottom half. This positive half was thanks to her. As soon as the doctor informed us a D&C was necessary, she made sure my husband had skin-to-skin contact and would be with our baby in the NICU. This gave us both peace of mind. At this point, her shift should have been over, but this angel came with me into the OR. The procedure began with her standing next to me offering reassurance and ended with her holding my hand. She is our angel! Neither my baby nor I may have survived without her. Our family has so much love for Olivia.