I was admitted to the hospital at 39 weeks for an induction. Despite two days passing, there were no signs of the baby being ready to be born. Over this time, I underwent several induction interventions, including cytotec, cook balloons, augmentation with pitocin, and artificial rupture of membranes. Teresa Malak took over the shift as my assigned nurse. My preference was a vaginal delivery, and I wished to avoid a C-section unless absolutely necessary for my and my baby's safety. Teresa stood out among the nurses I had encountered thus far, being the most encouraging and supportive. She remained by my bedside from the beginning of her shift until its end, 12 hours later. Throughout her shift, Teresa demonstrated exceptional attentiveness. She ensured my comfort during the re-initiation of pitocin at a lower dose and consistently adjusted my position every 15-30 minutes to maintain the baby's heart rate stability, particularly in response to the Pitocin. Her dedication exceeded expectations as she prioritized my and my baby's well-being. Teresa's unwavering support and encouragement were invaluable during the prolonged induction process, helping me stay motivated and positive throughout the experience.

This is Teresa’s second DAISY Award!