Labor and Delivery Unit
May 2025
Labor and Delivery Unit
Labor and Delivery
Winchester Medical Center
Winchester
,
VA
United States
Sara Laitres, RN III (not pictured), Kim Palmer, Charge Nurse and Meridith Rudolph
The nurses and doctors who came together to safely deliver my third child and manage a sudden, life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage are nothing short of miracle workers.
We are approaching the one-year anniversary of the day an extraordinary team of caregivers saved my life. The nurses and doctors who came together to safely deliver my third child and manage a sudden, life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage are nothing short of miracle workers. Their skill, compassion, and teamwork were heroic, and they deserve recognition for going above and beyond to care for me.
From the moment I arrived, my primary nurse, Sara Laitres, was a calm, steady presence, guiding me through labor with confidence and kindness. When birth became imminent, Kim Palmer, Charge Nurse, appeared like an angel delivering nitrous oxide to ease the pain. My delivery was fast, and nurse midwife Simone managed a surprise nuchal cord with skill and composure. Our baby's gender was a surprise, and the room erupted in joyful celebration: "It's a boy!"
But that joy was soon shadowed by rising concern. Dr. King joined the team as they worked to manage what was becoming a dangerous hemorrhage. I was grateful for Emily Dysart, nursery nurse, who gently helped my son latch and nurse for nearly 30 minutes. Her sweet, focused support was calming, even as the urgency around us grew. It became clear that my placenta was embedded in the muscle layer of my uterus, and I would need to be rushed to the OR for a D&C. Sare, Kim, Meridith, and Dr. King moved with remarkable speed and precision, all while communicating clearly with one another and my family. Though the night shift had arrived, not a single nurse left my side. Everyone of them stayed over to ensure I was safe.
In the operating room, a wave of fear overtook me. I called out, asking for someone to pray for me. Sara held my hand tightly and prayed over me with heartfelt conviction as I slipped under anesthesia. This was one of the greatest acts of care I have ever experienced.
When I awoke in the ICU, intubated and restrained, my sister was standing right where Sara had been. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and an indescribable sense of peace. I later learned I had lost over 4.5 liters of blood and required a massive transfusion. A trauma surgeon (Dr. Goode) and an intensivist came to assist my L&D team. They were able to stop the bleeding and save my uterus by using a novel device called the Jada System. It was a miracle of modern medicine, delivered by a team that refused to give up.
Overnight, Maddi Curry, mother/baby nurse, visited me in the ICU multiple times to check for complications and ensure I was recovering well. The ICU nurses went above and beyond by arranging for my baby to visit me briefly. I will never forget that act of kindness.
This team didn't just save my life. They treated me with dignity, tenderness, and unwavering commitment. Their collaboration, courage, and compassion define what it means to provide excellent care. They are more than deserving of the DAISY Team Award. My family will be forever grateful for the life and love they helped preserve.
From the moment I arrived, my primary nurse, Sara Laitres, was a calm, steady presence, guiding me through labor with confidence and kindness. When birth became imminent, Kim Palmer, Charge Nurse, appeared like an angel delivering nitrous oxide to ease the pain. My delivery was fast, and nurse midwife Simone managed a surprise nuchal cord with skill and composure. Our baby's gender was a surprise, and the room erupted in joyful celebration: "It's a boy!"
But that joy was soon shadowed by rising concern. Dr. King joined the team as they worked to manage what was becoming a dangerous hemorrhage. I was grateful for Emily Dysart, nursery nurse, who gently helped my son latch and nurse for nearly 30 minutes. Her sweet, focused support was calming, even as the urgency around us grew. It became clear that my placenta was embedded in the muscle layer of my uterus, and I would need to be rushed to the OR for a D&C. Sare, Kim, Meridith, and Dr. King moved with remarkable speed and precision, all while communicating clearly with one another and my family. Though the night shift had arrived, not a single nurse left my side. Everyone of them stayed over to ensure I was safe.
In the operating room, a wave of fear overtook me. I called out, asking for someone to pray for me. Sara held my hand tightly and prayed over me with heartfelt conviction as I slipped under anesthesia. This was one of the greatest acts of care I have ever experienced.
When I awoke in the ICU, intubated and restrained, my sister was standing right where Sara had been. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and an indescribable sense of peace. I later learned I had lost over 4.5 liters of blood and required a massive transfusion. A trauma surgeon (Dr. Goode) and an intensivist came to assist my L&D team. They were able to stop the bleeding and save my uterus by using a novel device called the Jada System. It was a miracle of modern medicine, delivered by a team that refused to give up.
Overnight, Maddi Curry, mother/baby nurse, visited me in the ICU multiple times to check for complications and ensure I was recovering well. The ICU nurses went above and beyond by arranging for my baby to visit me briefly. I will never forget that act of kindness.
This team didn't just save my life. They treated me with dignity, tenderness, and unwavering commitment. Their collaboration, courage, and compassion define what it means to provide excellent care. They are more than deserving of the DAISY Team Award. My family will be forever grateful for the life and love they helped preserve.