We’ve heard so many different things about Rideout Hospital; we didn’t know what to expect. When I started having contractions, I immediately went into labor and delivery. Tahj was our triage nurse, and everything that we ever heard negatively about this hospital went straight out the window. Tahj was so sweet and patient with me. She never left the room after I arrived. She sat down and explained everything to my boyfriend and me with such detail and patience. She even asked me if I had a birth plan that I would like to follow! Once she checked my cervix, even though I wasn’t dilated enough to get admitted, Tahj sat with us for almost an hour explaining what my next steps were and what I could do at home before coming into the hospital so I could follow my birth plan.

I did exactly what Tahj said and came in two days later. Tahj was still there. I requested her and immediately felt calmed and eased once she was our nurse. She hung out in the room with my boyfriend and helped him assist me in the shower. The shower was the only place I could cope with the contractions. Tahj didn’t rush me; she didn’t force me out; she gave me time to myself until I was ready to come out of the shower. By the time I wanted to come out, I was ready for pain medication. Tahj reminded me that although it wasn’t a part of my birth plan, we could still follow it with an epidural. She didn’t shame me or make me feel bad. She held my hands during the epidural and continuously checked on me throughout the night. By the end of the night, Tahj got me to 7 cm, and I was only 1.5 cm when she got there. She knew I was going to deliver in the day, and she was going to miss it. She was right. I delivered a beautiful baby boy, and it was all because of Tahj. She is the epitome of what nurses on labor and delivery should be like. I’ve heard horror stories before, and Tahj was the complete opposite. Although she missed the delivery, she was there for the beginning and middle and everything in between, and we are forever grateful. Thank you so much, Tahj, for everything you do. Hopefully we will see you for our next delivery!