I knew the signs of pre-eclampsia, and I knew 34 weeks was too early for my son. I came in scared and very sick. The room was full of doctors, but I watched you stay calm, and I trusted you. You held my hand when they told me they had to take my baby because neither of us was healthy.
You used numbing spray before my IV and told me I would be okay, and I held onto that. You kept my flavored ice chips coming and found me extra pillows. You made sure the best nurses had me for the next shift.
When the pain got bad, you explained each procedure twice because I wasn't thinking clearly. You worked me through every contraction and repositioned my pillows at least 40 times. You kept the ice packs coming when I couldn't stand the heat of the mag drip. You did not leave my side through 30 hours of labor or my C-section.
You helped my son take his first breath and started his IV when his blood sugar dropped too low. You kept him warm when I wouldn't wake up after surgery. You fed him when I couldn't. You made us an Easter card with his footprints, and you watched over him around the clock in the NICU until he was ready to go home.
You came to see us after delivery just to be sure we were okay, and you told me we would be. I believed you, because you were right the first time. Not everyone can do this work. It is a gift. You may not remember my name, but I will never forget yours.
Thank you, L&D and NICU nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do labor and delivery nurses do? L&D nurses care for women through labor, birth, and the hours right after. They monitor the mother and baby, manage IVs and medications, coach through contractions, assist with vaginal births and cesareans, and step in fast when a delivery turns into an emergency.
What is preeclampsia, and why is it dangerous? Preeclampsia is high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, often with signs of organ stress. Per ACOG, it can progress quickly to severe disease, and the only definitive treatment is delivery, which is why a mother who comes in "scared and very sick" may have her baby taken early.
Why is a baby born at 34 weeks sent to the NICU? Birth at 34 weeks falls in the late preterm range of 34 to 36 weeks. The AAP notes these newborns are still maturing and are prone to problems like trouble breathing, temperature instability, and low blood sugar, so many need NICU monitoring even when they look healthy at first.
Why did the baby's blood sugar drop, and how is it treated? Late preterm infants have limited glucose stores and can become hypoglycemic in the first hours of life. The AAP recommends early feeding and routine glucose screening, and treatment ranges from a feeding to an IV dextrose line when levels fall too low, exactly what this nurse started.
What is a "mag drip" during labor? It is an IV infusion of magnesium sulfate, used in preeclampsia to prevent seizures (eclampsia). It commonly causes a hot, flushed feeling, which is why ice packs bring real relief.
How common is preterm birth in the United States? About 1 in 10 babies is born preterm; the CDC reports a 2023 rate of 10.4%. Late preterm births make up the large majority of those deliveries.