Leilani Smith, RN

I came in for a scheduled C-section for my quadruple rainbow baby at 39 weeks. After four previous losses, my anxiety was at a 10. I was so close to the finish line, yet terrified. Lani was my nurse, and from the very start, she felt like the angel handpicked for me in my redemption story. Though she could see my pregnancy history in my chart, she likely didn't know the depth of my fear around this pregnancy. Yet during my birth, she radiated kindness and calm, easing my nerves in ways I didn't even know I needed. As she walked me back to the OR, tears started streaming down my face. Every walk to the OR before had ended in heartbreak and loss, but this one was my redemption walk, and I felt blessed she was with me. Lani hugged me gently and reminded me that in just minutes, I would hold my sweet baby, and four years of grief and loss would finally transform into joy. When it came time for the spinal, Lani held my hands, spoke words of encouragement, and grounded me, keeping my fear at bay as I waited for my husband and doula to join me. She had no way of knowing the full weight of my anxiety, yet her calm presence, her ability to explain each step, and her unwavering support turned a moment that could have been terrifying into one of profound comfort and reassurance. Lani didn't just care for me; she cared for my heart, and I will never forget it.