From Fear to Empowerment

During one of my service as a student nurse, I experienced a moment that truly reinforced my passion for maternal care. I was assisting a young mother in labor, who was terrified as she faced childbirth for the first time. She was 34 weeks and the baby was not full-term. We were all worried and careful to watch for certain signs of this pre-term baby. As she reached the final delivery stage, exhaustion set in, and she doubted her ability to continue. At that moment, I whispered words of encouragement, stating she was doing great and she was also almost there. With one final push, her baby entered the world, and tears of relief and joy filled her eyes. Hearing the pre-term baby cry was such a relief to me and everyone else. Witnessing that transformation—from fear to empowerment—was a profound reminder of why I chose this path. It was a humbling experience that deepened my understanding of the emotional and physical support midwives provide, and it solidified my commitment to advocating for compassionate, patient-centered care in maternal health.

Lori Carroll