I came into maternity to have my second baby, my daughter. I was so nervous as I had just moved from another state and had a horrible experience with my first labor nurse. But when I came to Hunterdon maternity and met Carissa, I knew things were going to be 100% different. She came into my room early, as I had called out to have some questions answered and the floor was busy so my other nurse was in the middle of something, Carissa took the initiative and clocked in and came in and introduced herself to me. She sat down and discussed every single thing with me and answered all my questions, she had evidence to back all of her information and was more informed at times than anyone I had met. She told me how this was my experience and I was to just let her know what I wanted for my birth, and she made me feel so special and in control of a very labile event.

When it came time to experience contractions in labor, she was with me the whole time, massaging my back, setting up my room with electric tea lights and lavender, she taught my husband counter pressure and hip squeezing. She never left my bedside and she was so supportive. She was the only reason I was able to get through the pain and have an unmedicated birth as I told her I desired. There was a point where my daughter’s heart rate dropped. Carissa and the team were doing different interventions which usually would have been scary but she kept me informed during such a stressful event, I was scared but I knew she wasn’t and that she was confident and it made me so reassured. Even in all of the rush of things she still made time to make sure I understood and consented to everything they were doing and that meant more to me than anything else being a survivor of a traumatic childhood event, my mother prayed I would have a good experience and I got so much more than that. She has no idea how much her care meant to me and it has forever touched me and made me feel safe.

Carissa was not just meant to be a nurse but she was meant to be a labor nurse. She cares so much about supporting all aspects of her patients, and she never looked at me as just a patient she looked at me as a whole person with needs that went far beyond just administering medications. She is truly special, and when my daughter is old enough, I will tell her all about the amazing healer who brought her into the world, and who not just kept her mom safe but kept her safe. I have a lot of friends who are expecting and I have told them all to go to Hunterdon and ask for Carissa and a few have switched practices when they heard of my amazing experience!! Carissa is amazing and my words will not be able to capture the magnitude of who she is as a nurse but I guess I should at least try.

**This is Carissa's 2nd DAISY Award!