It was my wife’s second delivery experience, and the last three months of pregnancy were hard enough to keep her stressed every moment she thought about delivery and labor pain. We were admitted almost two weeks prior to the due date. Having had a first delivery that lasted 15 hours and was extremely painful, she came in with a lot of stress, pain all around her body, scared of the epidural, and afraid of another long labor that might happen. Our first kid was left with friends, and all of this was happening during a stressful geopolitical situation we were facing in Dubai at that time. Once admitted at midnight, we were received by a super quiet midwife called Heidi. She was so supportive—giving us enough time to ask questions, express fears, and simply talk. She listened, answered, and spread calm and confidence throughout the room. She explained even the simplest injection procedure and what to expect, right up until her shift ended around 7:30 in the morning. She never panicked, never felt bored, and discussed every single option we had, trying to guide us. I feel so grateful: In a labor room, all an expecting couple needs is calmness, confidence, and someone to rely on. Her calmness was contagious in the very best meaning of the word. Just one hour after admission, my wife felt reassured; the stress was fading. By morning, she wanted to have that baby—fearless and confident, knowing she was in safe hands.

The morning came with all its hopes. The next-shift midwife showed up with the same calmness and confidence. It felt like Heidi had spread her positivity all around the team. At 13:13 in the afternoon, A saw the world for the first time. It was a moment of peace. My wife doesn’t remember anything but being calm and welcoming our baby boy to the world. It felt like Heidi’s calmness was contagious enough to reach the baby himself—he didn’t cry. He was just looking around, as if searching for the angel who had been there a couple of hours earlier, breaking his water, holding his mom’s hand, and transferring all the strength and calmness she had to both mom and baby. Heidi was just being herself. You can tell that is the true person she is. We are so blessed that she was the one to help us during labor. That’s what being a nurse is about: not only knowledge but also a smile, support, calm, and spreading strength and confidence all around. We still remember Heidi’s reassuring tone of voice.

Having a baby is an out-of-this-world experience. A mom never forgets that day, and we will always remember a room full of gleeful silence and peace every time Heidi stepped in. Can’t thank you enough, Heidi. We will be grateful forever.