By Monica Rodarte, Tempe, Arizona
It was September 26, 1980. I had entered the maternity ward at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) in full-on labor. My baby was already crowning. It was the first day at work for the nurse who came to my aid.
As she was rushing me to the labor room, the nurse said they would call my doctor. I told her I had called him before heading to the hospital. He’s not coming, I told her. He said I wasn’t in labor.
She got me on the table and instructed me not to push. We needed to wait for the doctor. He’s not coming, I repeated. Then I told her, “Go out for a pass, because this baby is on the way.”
Click here to watch My Memories of YRMC: Monica Rodarte on YouTube.
That nurse delivered my baby boy, Michael, at 8:44 pm. I was in labor for one hour and delivered in four minutes.
When Michael graduated from McClintock High School in Tempe, my Mom recognized that same nurse sitting behind us in the stands. I asked her if she used to work at YRMC. She said, “Yes.”
I said to her, “My son is graduating tonight and I am pretty sure you delivered him.”
I told her the story, and asked her if she remembered that night. Unfortunately, she didn’t, but we both had a good laugh. What are the odds?
I wish I knew that nurse’s name. She delivered my greatest joy, and kept my hospital bill under $250!