Labor & Delivery Shoutout

For the past six weeks I have been tortured on "Labor and Delivery". Part of my OB/GYN experience of medical school. I think it is an understatement when I say that I have seen better days. I'm not saying I haven't been learning. The crew of residents are really enthusiastic about teaching. But I guess the entire "Birthing Process" is much more graphic than I had imagined in my head. For months I had been arguing with The Hunny Bunny about delivering our own children. The past 3 weeks cured me of that desire. I can only watch a child's head being squeezed into oblivion and mom lose a half a liter of blood so many times. Trust me on this one.

But not all three weeks were a waste. We had a patient come onto our floor from Globe, AZ in labor. After a quick ultrasound we determined that the baby was "breech". In simple terms, the baby was upside down. Now once upon a time, delivering a breech baby vaginally was not recommended by a bunch of doctors much smarter than you. But after a few stiff drinks in 2006, they changed their mind. So for this brave lady, it was go time. To the OR we went. As the epidural went in, the room filled up like a Phoenix Suns home game. The contractions were coming and the fun ensued. Everyone assumed their positions. Bees and I both grabbed a leg to help her into the lithotomy position.

I want to mention at this time that I had front row seating to one of the coolest things I have ever seen. A bouncing baby boy entering the world Balls First. Words cannot express my jealousy. When the kid was halfway out, he had a drop in heart rate. An ultrasound machine slammed into my leg and 2 residents crammed my personal space. I was having trouble doing my only assigned job. Holding that right leg up. The ultrasound was reassuring and after a couple more pushes, a lot of screaming, and one giant terd from the baby...HE WAS OUT!!!

Dad was eccentric. He was jumping around giving high fives thanking everyone for their help. Mom was exhausted and with little strength she had she uttered the following:

Whoever was holding my right leg...You did a great job.

I'm not gonna lie. I felt special. It was one of the few moments of the past 3 weeks that a really truly enjoyed. At least I can go ahead and cross OB/GYN off my list as a possible career choice. Lets hope I can stave off insanity for the second half of this experience. I'll just have to pray that I rack up a couple more shout outs from my patients.