I was 39 weeks pregnant with my second child and had to be medically induced again. I was sent to the Pickerington Methodist Hospital, where I was immediately met with great staff and nurses who helped get my induction started and ensured I was comfortable. However, one nurse was so special to me and truly made an impact on my labor/birth experience.

During my induction, there was a shift change and that is when I was introduced to nurse Nicole Buczynski. I was informed that she was a postpartum nurse. However, she was interested in working in labor and delivery and would be shadowing my other nurse. Although she was there to learn the ins & outs of labor and delivery, she did not hesitant to jump right in to offer support. She went above and beyond the normal call of duty. If I wasn't told that she was shadowing, I would've thought she was a labor and delivery nurse because that's how great she was. I am forever grateful she was shadowing that day because she was an amazing nurse, along with the others I had by my side.

I was very nervous and a little worried about going in to be induced again since I really wanted to have a natural birth experience/ labor this time around. However, aside from that, I was still hoping to go natural without the epidural. She was so supportive of that and hands on offering her help through the pain and just in general. She was so patient and always listened to me. She shared about her own experiences with labor and was always very encouraging. There were times during labor when I was in a lot of pain and outwardly expressed doubt in myself. Nevertheless, she was right there, constantly uplifting and reminding me that I could do it and how great I was doing. Her affirmations meant so much in that moment. She not only supported me physically but showed my husband ways to support me physically through the pain as well. She was even my voice at times when I couldn't quite formulate many words or sentences because of the pain I was experiencing. She was so understanding. Her encouraging words and support got me through one of the toughest and most painful moments I've experienced yet. Without her support, I don't know if I would've been able to believe in myself fully to go through it all. Although going natural was very painful, it was so worth it, and an experience I will always remember, thanks to Nicole. I am forever grateful for her support during that time because it was definitely the extra push that I needed when I felt like giving up at times. Also, as a result, I was given the experience I wanted and prayed for.

I hope she gets to work in labor and delivery as she is a natural and would make a great addition. However, I also had her as my postpartum nurse, and she rocked still. She was so kind and comforting always. Every interaction felt so genuine. She felt like more than just a nurse; she felt like family. She truly made an impact on my entire hospital stay/ birth experience and my family. My husband even talks about her and how great she was. She is an amazing nurse and person. I am grateful to have had the time with her that I had. She deserves so much recognition and more.