I am a first-time mom, and my water broke when I was about two weeks early, but I was very excited to meet our little girl. My husband and mother drove me right into MGH at 4:00 am, I remember this day like it was yesterday, it was the first day the mandatory masks were lifted (I work for MGH) and I know it was a day of relief for most. From the second I walked in; I had the best care from the entire labor and delivery team. My husband kept saying he felt right at home the whole time, and we were in the best care out there; everyone was so caring and compassionate, and they all went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. The whole day I was being induced, everything was going smoothly and every nurse that came in really made me feel like I was their top priority, all so attentive and caring it was amazing.

Towards the end of the night, I had one nurse, Suzanne, she was amazing. So amazing that I still remember her to this day, and I am writing about her 7.5 months later. I had a few complications: my daughter’s heart rate started to decelerate, and she was not tolerating the Pitocin. I was also extremely nauseous and having issues with the epidural because I had to lie on my side, which caused contractions on the opposite side. Suzanne was on top of her game; she was so attentive and caring that she felt like family. Throughout the night, she was by our side whenever I needed her, and she was there. She explained everything to me and made me feel at ease due to the complications.

Morning hit and unfortunately, my labor was not progressing, her heart rate was decelerating a few times and I ended up needing a c-section. I was terrified. I have anxiety to begin with, and Suzanne literally stayed by my side. Her shift ended at 7:00 am and she ended up staying in the operating room to make sure we were all ok. I have never seen that much compassion and love from a nurse in my life. There was a team of about 20+ doctors in the room because of my baby's decelerated heart rate, and she was the one who put me at ease. She knew what positions to put me in and which medications I needed to keep us both safe. I am writing this seven months after my stay at MGH to show you that I still think of her and for her making an incredibly scary situation easy.