As a high risk pregnancy, we went in for induction for a planned vaginal birth. Everything started routinely, and Amanda explained all the procedures and processes. We started with cervical ripening medication that could cause minor contractions but was not a medication to cause contractions. I vomited multiple times and Amanda comforted me and helped me feel like it wasn’t a big deal to be throwing up. It’s hard as an adult to be in that vulnerable space throwing up in front of total strangers into a bag because I was hooked up to too many things to get up quickly. She repeated her reassurance multiple times while rubbing my shoulder, which helped me register that it was okay.

After everything was hooked up for a bit, the baby went into decel. Amanda was there in an instant to check up. Repositioned and baby went back to normal. She kept me calm and assured us this is why monitors are there. She let us know she was going to lunch, but there would be eyes on us while she ate. Sure enough, shortly after she left, baby went into decel again. Two other nurses came in and this time baby’s episode lasted a bit longer. In total we had been at the hospital for about 40 minutes. Our doctor came in and told us our baby was not tolerating even these minor contractions and our options were to continue but it was unlikely baby was going to tolerate 10+ more hours of labor and risk a very rushed c-section if they couldn’t get baby back or do a C-section now and forgo some risk of rushing. I have diagnosed depression and anxiety. This was not comforting news, and the change of plans triggered me. I vomited again, which added to the anxiety of making the decision to have major surgery. Then Amanda jogged in, smile on her face, and said I hear we’re thinking about things. She came back early from lunch for us. There was no way she had more than 10 minutes to eat. She never mentioned this, but I put it together after all the excitement. She proceeded as if she was on the clock the whole time. She answered some of my questions and even laughed when I asked, “This isn’t the doctor's first c-section, is it?”. The reply was a firm no and that the doctor was very good at c-section delivery. We made the call to emergency C-section on the advice of everyone but with the help of Amanda’s positive calm attitude. I was terrified, but she gave me the confidence to move forward. Later, we would find out that our baby was wrapped in his cord the long way and short way multiple times. By instilling that confidence in us to make the big decision to proceed with surgery, I’m convinced Amanda may have helped save us from a heart-breaking day. Luckily, we don’t ever have to know what could have happened.

While prepping for the c-section, there was a rush to get me in to prevent any more distress on baby. Amanda was calm and comfortable while explaining everything that needed to happen and having us fill out the paperwork. Again, I was terrified but breathing and felt I could trust Amanda. We got back to the operating room for the spinal block, as that’s going in, I’m vomiting yet again, heaving and crying out from pain, nerves and an anxiety attack. Amanda is in front of me, holding my shoulders and supporting me. She didn’t hesitate to care for me for a second, literally holding me through what was the most vulnerable moment of my life thus far. My husband couldn’t be with me for this part, and Amanda made herself my person. Everyone else in the room was focused on getting me prepped and ready. Amanda was focused on me. She spoke to me softly, telling me in vague detail what was happening to keep me informed but not scared. She picked the right amount of detail that I was ready for. It helped me and I calmed down enough to stop vomiting and breathe while they finished prepping. Zolfran was administered, which helped, but I also needed to calm down for this to be a successful procedure. Amanda made that happen. My husband came in, Amanda got ready, and then it started. Shocker, I did not like the pressure and feeling from the c-section. My husband was keeping me calm, but I started dry heaving, and they had to administer more medication. Overall, a fun time (not really!). The baby came out, quickly got checked, and around came Amanda with our new baby boy. She was excited and happy and ignored the fact that this was a major surgery that I was making more difficult by not being able to be calm. It turned the mood from scary for me to a celebration. I will never forget the excitement in Amanda’s voice when I learned we had a baby boy. My husband is not good at remembering pictures. She made sure we got pictures of baby and me, baby and him, and the two of us together in that moment. I would not have had pictures of any of his birth without her intervening. I am beyond thankful for those pictures.

This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I will forever be thankful for Amanda and everything she did for us that day. I have a beautiful son and received absolute kindness during his birth. I didn’t even get a chance to say thank you because everything was such a whirlwind. I hope she gets to read this and knows how much I appreciate her.