I had been on bed rest at home and did everything as instructed. After the week passed, I slipped on some stretchy leggings over my small protruding belly to get ready for my follow up visit. I was certain that the doctor would give me a “thumbs up”, and tell me to complete bed rest at home. But no, he didn’t.
I broke down crying in his office as he advised me to go to the hospital.
Between sobs, I asked, “Can I go home and pack first?”.
He responded, “No, It’s too risky. Go straight there”.
I called my mom as my husband drove me to the hospital. I was devastated. I was only 25 weeks pregnant and was just told that I would be on hospital bed rest. Once I got to the hospital two things were clear,
1)No one was going to give me a straight answer about how long I was going to be there.
2)Whether I liked it or not, it was in the best interest of my unborn child that I remain in the hospital as long as possible.
I encountered many nurses during my almost 2 month stay. About 25 in all. One nurse advised me early on to make the hospital room as comfortable as possible and think of it as my home. I dreaded the thought. But I knew that she was right. It was the best advice I received during my stay.
My groom had the task of making several trips home to make my room as “homey” as possible.
Another nurse, Shara had a upbeat spirit and uplifting attitude that always helped put me at ease. Shara had such an impact on my experience at the hospital that months after my daughter was born, my family and I arranged to have her recognized by thanking her personally in front of colleagues, family and friends.
Although Shara was the only nurse that we got to thank formally for the positive impact that she had on our family, I remember others during my pre-labor and my daughter’s stay ay the NICU.
I remember pouring through sales papers and talking about Black Friday sales with one nurse that knew I was having a hard time spending Thanksgiving at the hospital. She also always made it a point to ask about my cat at home.
After a lengthy hospital stay, my daughter eventually made a dramatic entrance into the world six weeks early via emergency c-section. Blood loss due to placental abruption may be the reason that I don’t remember much about the nurse that helped changed my red bed sheets. But, I know that she was there. Meeting my baby for the first time made it all worth while.
Yet another nurse, came into our daughter’s NICU room at 12:00am on Jan 1, 2010 and greeted us with two plastic flutes filled with apple cider as we watched the ball drop on tv. My baby slept safely in her warm isolet. A week later when I could finely take my first born home, I was filled with joy beyond compare. I am thankful for the nurses that walked with us, every step of the journey. That little firecracker…the girl at 4.26 pounds that was determined to bust into the world nearly 2 months before her due date, is now 6 years old.
And while every nurse won’t get a reception, a card or even a thank you from her patients…Pampers Swaddlers has partnered with the Association of Women’s Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), to celebrate nurses in their first annual “Thank You Nurses Campaign”. The grand prize honoree has been a nurse for 38 years and will be part of an upcoming Pampers Advertisement as part of her grand prize win.
Learn more about the grand prize #ThankYouNurses award winner, Anne Gallagher here.
As part of an ongoing initiative, Pampers also started a “Nurses Know Video” series where parents can get expert tips especially for new and expectant moms from the third trimester to post labor and delivery.
But the fun doesn’t stop there, Pampers is having a Twitter party on May 11th hosted by iConnect from 8pm CST/9PM EST. You can RSVP right here.
Prizes include:
Prize 1: Thermometer ($25), Safety 1st Baby Kit ($25), Pampers diapers
Prize 2: Humidifier ($50) + $50 AMEX + Pampers diapers
Prize 3: Steam Sterilizer ($120), Pampers diapers
Grand Prize: Video Baby Monitor ($230), Pampers diapers
RSVP: Pampers Diapers and Wipes
I hope to tweet ya there!
This review was made possible by iConnect and Pampers. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.”
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