It was five months ago when you helped provide me with the best birthing experience I could have ever imagined. It all started when you introduced yourself to us on Friday at 4 pm, when I came to the hospital to start the induction process. You took the time to get to know me and my husband. You listened to our desires; our desires to have a VBAC without medication and with the use of a doula, and you did so without judgment. From Friday at 4 pm to Saturday at 7 pm, you served my family and me, and you did so while tending to your own family of 13 children upon returning home from work.

After induction on Friday evening, you showed up on Saturday morning, ready to continue serving us. You effectively guided us through the use of Pitocin and thoroughly educated us on how the labor process would start and how it would likely make me feel. You showed so much compassion as you played soft music on the TV, initiated the use of essential oils and candles, rubbed my back and shoulders during contractions, brought in various birthing balls for us to try, spoke words of affirmation, and gave helpful tips on how to relax my body. You showed me ultimate compassion during the process of my laboring in the bathtub. In order for me to labor in the tub for 15 minutes, you had to complete so many tasks, tasks that took way longer than the 15 minutes I was even going to be in the bathtub. You had to discuss this with our midwife, run the water, undo the continuous fetal monitor, wrap my arm that had the IV so it wouldn’t get wet, and provide intermittent fetal monitor checks while I was in the tub. You made it possible for me to labor in the bathtub, something I wanted to try, and you did so no matter how much work it was for you.

Shortly after laboring in the tub, it was time for me to push. The collaboration that I heard between you, our midwife, and our doula was unmatched. These women, along with other staff, worked together so well. Ideas were shared about positioning my legs, the use of wash cloths, and how to effectively push. Everyone’s tone of voice was calm and respectful. This collaboration allowed me to successfully push my baby out in 45 minutes. Following labor and delivery, you helped me through the not-so-pretty components of healing from a vaginal delivery. You did so all while being respectful of my body, being patient even after this long day, and being free from judgment. You knew how to collect and measure urine output, use the spray bottle, align the witch hazel pads and cooling pack to the massive underwear pad, but I did not. Despite you having done this many times before, you did not forget that this was my first time, and you left no details unshared. You remained informative, patient, and unbiased. You helped my body's healing process.

Before your shift ended, you gave me a hug. That hug showed me we are all human and can accomplish amazing things when we all listen, work hard, are patient, and show compassion. From gaining a patient history, to insertion of a central line, to mechanical induction with a balloon, to the gradual and cautious use of pitocin given my previous c-section, to the use ofnon-medicated pain relief strategies during labor, to an effective pushing process, to the safe delivery of a healthy baby, and to the care needed to help me heal after a vaginal delivery, you showed clinical excellence in all of those facets of the induction, labor, and delivery process. I knew that to have an unmedicated VBAC, I was going to have to feel supported during the entire labor and delivery process, and you supported me. You were in my corner from the moment I met you, and you remained in my corner the entire time. I love sharing the birth story of my son, and that is because of you!