I came in for an induction at 37 weeks for my first child having taken no birthing classes and naively thinking I'd power through the arduous task of delivery with ease. I spent 32 hours in the hospital overall before giving birth to my son. Yvonne was our nurse for two shifts at that time and I don't know how I could have mentally or emotionally handled labor without her guidance. Yvonne was firm, patient, kind, and personable in a way that made me feel safe and comfortable. While all the nurses were wonderful, I always breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Yvonne come through the door.

In a very short time, she made me feel that she would care for me as a patient in the same way she would a friend. Yvonne made me laugh when I was struggling, she distracted me as I was in pain, and she guided me to keep going when I wanted to quit many times. My son ended up going to the NICU for 9 days and I didn't see Yvonne after delivery, but the peace, comfort, and recovery I felt from her care helped me to carry on through that next week. Yvonne will be someone I think of every year on my son's birthday, and be thankful she gave us such a wonderful start amid such chaos.