To the L&D Nurses
Dear Labor and Delivery Nurses,
We have some things we'd like to tell you. We don't know 99.9% of you, but we do know the ones who work in our local hospitals. We're going to take a leap and assume that all of you are at least somewhat similar to the nurses we've had the opportunity to work with locally.
Ready?
These doulas want to be like YOU when we grow up.
It's not that we want to be nurses. Let’s make that part reallyyyyy clear.
We want to love and care for humans like you do.
Each time we're at the hospital supporting a client, we watch you and we're amazed. We see you as you first start your shift... and we see you 12 hours later as your shift is coming to an end. And we're amazed.
Thank you for proving us right when we tell our clients they can trust the nurses in our local hospitals to treat them with respect.
Thank you for keeping moms and babies safe to the very best of your ability.
Thank you for cleaning up the various bodily fluids that end up on the floor.
Thank you for keeping the smile on your face when a woman in transition does not speak to you in the kindest of ways.
Thank you for being so gentle with exams- especially when you know of past trauma.
Thank you for graciously finding yet another pillow to add to the 6 already on the bed and another warm blanket.
Thank you for taking care of the partner (and the doula) by noticing their needs, as well.
Thank you for respecting birth plans- even when they're long or extremely detailed.
Thank you for clearly explaining the different interventions and pain relief options that are available.
Thank you for not showing the concern that you may be feeling when the monitors show a possible issue.
Thank you for acting swiftly when it's needed and for being calm when it's needed.
Thank you for treating each family like the only one on the unit.
Thank you for assisting the doula when you notice she can't do one more hip squeeze.
Thank you for being a cheerleader for each patient. Thank you for treating them with dignity and respect.