We were planning to deliver at Prosser Memorial Hospital, since we live only a mile away. My water broke early at 35 weeks, and so instead, I had to be transported a half hour away to Kadlec just in case we needed a NICU after delivery. During my transport there, my husband went home to care for our dogs and pack himself a bag because we thought we had plenty of time. It had only been 3 hours since my water broke, my contractions were manageable, and I was only 2 cm dilated when I arrived at the hospital. But I was feeling anxious. I was really worried about the baby; it felt too early. I worried about whether he needed time at the NICU...all the things that could go wrong.

I really appreciated our nurse's calm demeanor, checking my vitals, and getting me situated. This helped me to calm down significantly. She answered my questions with ease and kindness. My labor progressed very quickly. I remember her letting me know she was going to check my dilation again, but I still did not expect to be delivering my baby so soon. My husband was still a half hour away...this was not what we had planned. I quickly progressed to 10 cm, and she prepped me for delivery.

Without any of my family there to support me, Jane was there for me. She coached me through my contractions, reminding me to breathe. The calm manner in which she explained what I needed to do made all the difference. I felt supported throughout the hardest part of my labor when I otherwise would have felt so alone. And I had a hand to squeeze (sorry to my RN)! My husband ran into the room only a minute before our beautiful and healthy son was born. Although this was not at all what we had planned, I look back on this day and I feel surrounded by so much love and support. Jane played a huge role in this for me, and I will never forget her kindness.