Ikran Tahlil, RN BSN

I was admitted to the Pregnancy Special Care unit during the early hours of the morning due to complications from placenta previa and vasa previa at 27 weeks gestation. While this wasn't my first antepartum stay during this pregnancy, it was much more intense.

Ikran was my night nurse, and to put it simply, she was our guardian angel. After 18 hours of tests, beta shots, magnesium boluses, and an NPO except for a quick dinner, I was exhausted. Ikram watched our monitors quietly but intently as I tried to get some sleep. With each check during the night, she was not only gentle but also considerate, asking if I was feeling contractions (which I usually wasn't) before telling me they were being picked up by the monitor.

She would gently adjust my position throughout the night as needed to try and stabilize baby. Unfortunately, in the early morning of the following day, my baby started experiencing fetal distress, and it was decided it was time for an emergency C-section. Once again, Ikran treated me with care and dignity as she prepped me for surgery.

Once on the OR table, as I became overwhelmed by the flurry of people and activity, Ikran took my hands as she said: "I'm here for you." It was the support I needed in arguably one of the scariest moments of my life. Fortunately, my daughter came out strong and is doing well in the NICU despite being so premature.

Since I wasn't able to say it in person, Ikran, thank you for everything. I'm so glad I was in your care during one of my most vulnerable nights.