Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The best paying babysitting job ever!!

Monday night we only had 2 patients in Pediatrics so I knew I would be floating around the hospital somewhere. I spent two nights last week on the 3rd floor which is post-surgical patients without infections because they have decided that I shouldn't work with the super-infectious people on the 2nd floor :o)

I was so thrilled when I found out I would be helping out in Labor & Delivery....well, not so much helping out as babysitting. A mother gave birth & decided to put the baby up for adoption the day prior, so she didn't want to interact with the child...which I find completely understandable...so I got to feed, hold, rock, and care for this special child for 12 hrs while the adoptive parents drove in from out of state.

The odd thing to me was that most of the co-workers thought of this as a sad situation, and kept feeling sorry for the baby, I see it differently. I was so proud of the mother for having the strength to offer her child a better opportunity, even after seeing it's face. And one nurse made the comment, "oh, she doesn't want him/her" (I'm keeping the gender confidential), but I see it as she wants MORE for them.

The adoptive parents called every few hours as they got closer to check on the baby, and I just loved being able to give them little updates. It was a very rewarding night, and I was so touched to be a part of it!

15 comments:

JennyMac said...

Awesome story! And that tee is great.

Kristina P. said...

Such a great story. I am such a firm, firm believer in adoption. I wish more of the teenager girls I work with would look into it.

Jessica said...

What a great experience!

And how did I miss that you are pregnant? I am really behind on my blogging. A big Congrats!

Erin said...

What a fun and special experience for you!

Jen said...

Wow what a great experience! I'm SO glad you were there to project the right positive energy to the baby and the adoptive parents. Silly other nurses. So few people understand adoption, it really makes me sad.

Queenie Jeannie said...

What an awesome story!! I agree with your take on the situation 10000%

You are such a super cook chick and I loves ya!!!!!

Wendyburd1 said...

She is being selfless! She wants her baby to have a better life, tell them to stop saying poor baby, that baby is wanted!!

Crazy Charm said...

What a great story! Now, when are you going to be posting pictures of your baby bump?!

Grandma Arnold said...

I absolutely believe in adoption; what a neat opportunity you had to be a big part of such an important step in these people's lives!

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

I loved your post. I so believe in adoption and as the teacher of high schoolers...wish more of them would take that route. It is sad to me to see sophomores, freshmen, et al....decide that parenthood is what they want at age 14....when there are so many people out there...who are crying out to love a child...and have the means of supporting one....and are not another burden on our welfare system. I am so glad you got to be a part of this blessed event! How cool that was!

Irish Chick Soup said...

I will say that I think it's a sad situation, but if she wasn't mature enough to think that she could offer her baby a better life with a different set of parents it could be potentially sadder. That's a hard decision to come to.

W FAMILY said...

Adoption is an incredibly selfless gift. That mother gave a gift to her child and to the parents who so desparately wanted a baby. There is nothing sad about that. What is sad is all the people out there that have children with no real intention to care for them in the way they should. Or my 13 year old students having babies and "raising" them. THAT is sad. No one should feel sorry for that baby - blessed by a natural mother who wanted to give it the best life possible and blessed by parents who wanted him or her so much. And of course, blessed to have an awesome nurse to help with the transition! :) Miss ya!!!

annie valentine said...

Oh, that is so cool. And that was a great quote, the whole wanting more for them.

Jessica G. said...

Those other nurses just haven't had their loves touched by adoption and the happiness it brings. And I'm glad you got to be the one caring for that precious little one!

Missy said...

I agree! Adoption is such a great thing!