As I walk to the front door of the Madison Birth Center to begin another day, I know that this will be one of those awe-inspiring days. The flag is flying outside and this means we've had another birth. This time it is a baby girl. It also means that our staff of nurses and nurse midwives labored through the night with a client. Sure enough, I find Aszani Kunkler, CNM, MSN, the birth center owner, a little worse for wear. Her hair stands straight up on one side and her scrubs are rumpled. She has a pen behind her ear and her sleeves rolled up.
Despite the long hours and lack of sleep, she is smiling. She is exhilarated. She is beaming with proud accomplishment, because her work is a labor of love, commitment and dedication.
Seeing the flag always get my heart racing and makes me proud to be a part of Wisconsin's first freestanding birth center and the state's only accredited birth center. Through my experiences here, I've been able to witness two miracles: birth and the selfless giving and unyielding dedication of nurses at work.
I took this job at the birth center because of the incredible passion Aszani has for her work. It has been an eye-opening experience into the world of health care providers and my biggest revelation to date is that nurses are undervalued.
As office manager at the birth center, one of my responsibilities is to submit claims to insurance. I have yet to find the CPT code for therapeutic injection with kind words, vaginal delivery with 30-plus hours of labor support, routine postpartum follow-up with reassurance of parenting skills, and antepartum care with couples counseling.
There are electronic gadgets to take your temperature, blood pressure and monitor your heart, but there is nothing that replaces the empathetic ear of a nurse, her reassuring touch, or the comforting words she provides. Medical equipment cannot show devotion, but a nurse can, in spite of bad hair, lack of a shower, and a desperate need for a toothbrush.
Prior to witnessing the higher level of health care provided by our nursing staff, I would not have gone out of my way to thank a nurse. After working at the birth center though, I am amazed at the level of personal attention each client receives, and I am astonished by the amount of charting, follow-up and research that continues after the client leaves. The clients may not see this work, but it does not go unnoticed judging by the thank-you notes that our nursing staff has received.
For those nurses who do not hear these words often enough - "Thank you." What follows are excerpts from thank-you notes we have received at the birth center, but these words need to be extended to all nurses.
"We want to thank you for all of your support during this past month. Your presence has been a constant source of comfort and calm during some stressful moments."
"There are no words to describe our deep level of appreciation for the care, support and love you have shown us."
"I really value your expertise and your genuine care and love."
"Thank you for lending us your spirit and strength in bringing (our child) into the world. The support we have felt through everyone at the center has been wonderfully comforting."
"The quality of care and education that you and the other midwives and staff provided was far beyond our hopes or expectations. We are so thankful you helped create a gentle, safe and peaceful beginning for (our child).
"Your kindness and nurturing have helped me through some tough spots."
"I just wanted to say thank you for taking good care of me and for your listening ear."
"You are truly a kind person, and we are so fortunate to have met you. Thank you for everything."
"We would like to thank you from the deepest part of our beings . . ."
Personally, I owe a long overdue thank-you to the nurses who have helped me throughout my lifetime. I thank Arvilla Schneider who helped bring me into this world and who has kept in contact with our family for over 35 years. I thank Aszani Kunkler who I hope will help bring my children into this world and who has opened my eyes to a higher level of health care. And to all the nurses who have cared for my family and me, I am eternally grateful.
As I leave for the day, another client in labor arrives. I expect that this night will also be filled with proud accomplishment and that the birth center's flag will be flying again tomorrow.
