My husband and I came into the Labor and Delivery Unit, expecting our 6th child. Things were moving fine, but it was almost time to meet our girl. Kristan was there to greet us as we checked in. She got us straight to a room and we quickly learned we were 5 centimeters dilated and would be staying. Kristan was friendly, kind, and welcoming while observing and assessing.

Shortly after getting in the room, the midwife, broke my water, and out came my daughter’s umbilical cord. With the calmest, but very serious tone Kristan said “We have a cord”. It didn’t register for me the severity of the situation until much later, but she was immediately aware our little tranquil birth just became an emergency.

Together Kristan and the midwife told me what was happening, that we were going to the OR, and that they were going to take care of me and our baby. I was the most scared I have ever been in my life. The team ran me to the OR on the stretcher, and Kristan stayed right with me, her hand on the baby’s heart monitor. I was in tears and shock. I remember hearing her say, she’s ok, we’ve got her. I remember her eyes staying with me.

Kristan’s calm and gentle confidence was crucial for me in those moments. She kept telling me “I’ve still got her heartbeat, she’s doing great. Everything is going to be ok.” Shortly after hearing her voice and seeing her face, I was out, under general anesthesia.

I later learned Kristan kept my husband informed about what was going on in the OR too. She took him to meet our daughter after she was delivered, safely. Kristan even came to see us the next day after her very long shift!

She saw the cord, sounded the alarm, and was so cool under pressure. She did her best to keep me calm and reassured through the scariest moment of my life.

My daughter’s name is J and she is alive because of Kristan. She was a phenomenal nurse to me, and I know she is to all of her patients. Thank you, Kristan!