I checked in at Silvis OB for induction of my first pregnancy. I was greeted by Rosalinda and she had a student nurse. Being a fellow nurse I remember the days of being a student and Rosalinda was so kind and patient with the student. From the time I arrived, Rosalinda explained everything to me and gave continued support. While in the hospital Rosalinda took the time to talk to me and really just calmed all my fears. I chose the single mom by choice route and so I had my friend there with me for the delivery and she was ever so kind to her as well.

Being my first child the induction wasn't the fastest. It was a Friday and Rosalinda was going to be off for the weekend. I was so incredibly sad that I would not get to see Rosalinda after delivery as I figured I would deliver and then be sent home the following day. Everything progressed as expected and the oncoming nurses were equally kind to me throughout the visit.

At 3:37 little M made it into the world. Being a first-time mom I knew nothing about breastfeeding and struggled greatly with that. I tried pumping and that was difficult also. I started feeding M formula and struggled a bit with her vomiting. The nurses were all so attentive to my concerns and had talked to the pediatrician and got orders to pump her stomach. After that M started tolerating the bottle better.

Being a first-time mom and the small challenges with feeding. they kept us an extra day and we were set to be discharged Monday. The weekend passed by and Monday morning I was greeted by Rosalinda. I could not have been happier to see her! Her calm approach and caring nature are precisely what new moms need. The first thing Rosalinda asked when she entered Monday morning was how the breastfeeding was going. It continued to be a huge struggle and hormones were high. She told me not to worry and that we would get it figured out. A few hours later it was time to be discharged and she came in and sat down and was ever so patient and never once made me feel rushed. I would guess she spent the better part of 45 minutes with me working on breastfeeding and helped me feel much more hopeful about it. If it wasn't for Rosalinda I would never have continued to even try breastfeeding or pumping.

Fast forward now and M is just short of 7 months and 19 pounds and thriving. In September M had RSV and fought through it like a champ. I fear it could have been worse had she not been getting breast milk. I look back daily on all the pictures since giving birth and will always remember Rosalinda's kind, caring, and very compassionate care. It will never be forgotten and every new mom needs a Rosalinda.