I came to the hospital at 9cm dilated, already terrified because I knew I was progressing much quicker than I should be. My nurses acted quickly and we prepared for birth. I was hooked up to monitors and the mood in the room changed. I sensed something was wrong, but everyone stayed positive and focused, and said that we were going to work together to get my baby out ASAP.

Katie Delullo was right by my side, holding my hand, both encouraging me to stay strong and to keep focused while comforting me that all would be okay. My baby's heartbeat was dropping quite low, and it was incredibly urgent to get him out. This was my 4th natural birth and was by far the most intense, even though the whole thing lasted only 15 to 20 minutes. When I thought I couldn't do it for one more second, there was Katie's face, right there in front of mine, telling me that I could do it, telling me that I had to do it. She gave me just enough information to keep me motivated, to work as hard as I could for my baby but not too much that I was scared.

We had forceps and the vacuum, and I was pushing between contractions, and when I couldn't stand the pain, there would be Katie, pushing me to keep going. This may sound crazy but she was so good that everything around her became background noise, and all I could see and hear was her face and her words. She was truly my and more importantly, my baby's guardian angel that night. She'll probably say that it was nothing, just another day as a Maternity Nurse. But to me, it was everything. Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation I have for her and the other nurses, who just radiated positive energy throughout my labor and then took such sweet care of me after. I truly believe God, the universe, or whatever you believe in, put all the right people in the room that night to bring my baby safely into the world.

Dr. K was amazing, as always. OR staff and respiratory staff all arrived in my room in record time just in case things took a turn. It's incredible what our little rural hospital can do and what amazing people we have working in it. I could write a book about how lucky I am to have Dr. K through all of my pregnancies, but this night was about Katie. She is an absolutely incredible Nurse under pressure. She is the reason we got my baby out naturally and heard him cry the moment he was out. Dr. K delivered him but without Katie guiding me, motivating me, being forceful with me when she needed to, and sharing her strength with me, I don't know if I could have done what I needed to do. Maybe she doesn't think she went "above and beyond " but she did. I will never forget her and am forever in awe of her, and all nurses. They truly are amazing people.

To Katie, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"