I was in labor with my 5th child and followed by Vanderbilt’s exceptional midwife group. I had a few labor false alarms the prior few weeks, but this time I knew it was time. I had a prior negative experience during deliveries, so I was very nervous. I was hoping for a VBAC after two prior c-sections. I was waiting in OB triage and here came Chelsea. Even with a mask on, I could tell from her eyes, she was smiling. From the moment we met to the time I left L&D she was by my side. She spoke with such ease and made my husband and I feel so comfortable. We spoke about our families and backgrounds. We learned her Mom also worked in L&D. Also, since we were undecided on the baby’s name, Chelsea was even helping us with suggestions. It was like talking to an old-time friend. She advocated for me often throughout the whole process. She knew I wanted to wait to get an epidural, so she never pushed me and continually updated the providers on what my hopes were for the delivery. When I was ready for the epidural, she advocated with the providers for me to get a certain type of epidural that would benefit my pain better. She never pushed me to do anything and always explained what was going on. I knew I was with someone special that day and so did everyone else. Every nurse or provider I met said the same thing, “Oh you have Chelsea, she’s the best. You can’t be in better hands with her.”

At one point the baby was sunny side up and needed to turn facedown. Every other time I had an epidural I was kept in bed and not allowed to move. However, Chelsea said, “No, we are going to do everything we can to see if the baby will be in the right position.” This was astonishing to me. Even with me being so immobile from the epidural, Chelsea helped me position onto a ball to try different ways to help the baby move. I had to be in one position for 15 minutes on each side. Being a nurse myself, I knew 30 minutes is a lot of time for a nurse to be with just one patient, but she didn’t leave my side. She stayed with me every minute. When I asked her if she had lunch she said, “I went to lunch while you were sleeping. I didn’t want to miss helping you with anything.” With Chelsea and my husband by my side, I delivered a beautiful baby boy.

Chelsea is exceptional and encompasses the true calling and nature of a nurse. After meeting Chelsea, I contemplated my own career as a nurse and questioned if I always have given myself wholeheartedly to my patients as she did for me that Sunday morning in September. Chelsea deserves the DAISY Award for her role in being the best L&D nurse I have ever encountered. She knew from beginning to end how to guide me, what to say, how to say it, and when to help to me get through this delivery. Thank you, Chelsea. I am beyond grateful.