By Vickie Jenkins, staff writer
Labor and delivery nurse finds purpose in guiding families through life’s most meaningful moments.
As Mother’s Day approaches, few places reflect the meaning of the holiday more than the labor and delivery unit at the Love Family Women’s Center, where new life begins and nurses like Trista Thomason, RN, BSN, witness miracles every day.
For Trista, becoming a nurse wasn’t simply a career choice, it was a calling she recognized early in life. “I always wanted to be a nurse,” she said. “Even when I was little, I knew I wanted to help deliver babies. That was always my dream.”
Growing up in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Trista was the oldest of three girls. Her natural nurturing spirit was evident early on, but a defining moment helped solidify her path. When her five-year-old sister was involved in a serious car accident, Trista stepped in to help care for her during recovery. “That really impacted me,” she said. “I already had that motherly instinct, but helping take care of my sister made me realize I truly wanted to go into the medical field.”
She later attended Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, where she earned her nursing degree. While nursing school was rewarding, it also came with its share of challenges. During that time, Trista leaned on a special friendship that helped guide her both personally and spiritually. “I had a mentor and friend named Misty,’ she said. “We would meet weekly for coffee, especially during stressful times. She encouraged me not just in school, but in my walk with the Lord. That meant so much to me, especially when I needed advice about life and relationships.”
After graduation, Trista began her nursing career at OU Children’s Hospital, working in the pediatric intensive care unit for two years. While she loved caring for children, the emotional weight of the job eventually led her to consider a change. “I became very attached to the children,” she said. “It was rewarding, but also very hard. You carry those experiences with you.”
That journey ultimately led her to labor and delivery at the Love Family Women’s Center. A place she now describes as exactly where she is meant to be. “I truly feel like I have the perfect job,” she said. “It’s such a beautiful and inviting environment, and I get to be part of one of the most important days in a family’s life.”
Now five years into her nursing career, Trista works three 12-hour shifts each week alongside a team she deeply values.“We all support each other,” she said. “My coworkers feel like my best friends. That makes such a difference in the kind of care we’re able to give.”
Inside the delivery room, teamwork is essential. Trista helps guide mothers through labor, supports physicians, and assists in ensuring both mother and baby are safe and cared for.
“There’s usually one labor nurse and two nurses for the baby,” she explained. “We all work together, especially if the doctor needs help during delivery or with repairs afterward.”
For Trista, the most rewarding part of her job is caring for women and their families during such a life-changing experience.“It’s incredible to watch a mother see her baby for the first time,” she said. “You can see it on their face—that moment is something they will never forget. It truly is a miracle of life.”
She is especially passionate about helping first-time mothers, who often arrive feeling overwhelmed or unsure. “I try to meet them where they are,” she said. “Some are scared or anxious, and I just want them to know they’re supported and that everything will be okay.”
Empathy, she believes, is the foundation of great nursing care and it’s a quality she has carried with her throughout her life.“I’ve always felt deeply for others,” she said. “I can usually tell when someone is struggling, and I want to help them feel seen and cared for.”
Along with empathy, Trista says kindness and strong critical thinking skills are essential traits for any nurse. “You need all three,” she said. “But empathy is what allows you to truly connect with your patients.”
While her work brings many joyful moments, Thomason also faces difficult ones. Not every story ends with celebration. “There are times when babies don’t make it,” she said. “Those moments are incredibly hard. All you can do is be there, listen, and support the family however you can”. Even in heartbreak, she finds purpose in offering comfort and compassion.
Patients at the center typically stay between 12 to 24 hours, during which Thomason provides both physical care and emotional support. The unit can be fast-paced, sometimes seeing eight to ten deliveries in a day, with Thomason typically responsible for one to three patients on her shift.
She has helped deliver twins and even assisted with triplets—each experience reinforcing her passion for the field. “Every birth is different, and every one is special,” she said. “It never gets old.”
As Mother’s Day draws near, Trista reflects on the privilege of being part of so many life-changing moments.
“It takes a special person to be a nurse,” she said. “But it takes a very special person to work in labor and delivery. I’m just grateful I get to do what I love every day.”
For Trista, each new baby represents hope, love, and the beginning of a new story, one she is honored to help bring into the world.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” she said. “This is exactly where I’m meant to be.”
