Thursday, February 12, 2009

Fast Birth

I worked last night. My shift started at 7:45 pm. At 8 pm a 27-year-old mother arrived in labor with her 4th child. She was 8 centimeters dilated and having strong, frequent, regular contractions. She asked to pull down the curtains around one of our beds downstairs for privacy. Of course, no problem. At 8:55 she declared, "I need to push!" We all rushed upstairs and got her onto the delivery table. She said, "I really need to push!" We said, "Wait. Just breathe," while I quickly put on a gown and sterile gloves. "Ok. Go ahead," I said. She bore down and I could already see the head. The amniotic sac was still intact so I reached in to gently pinch it after her first push. Immediately she started pushing again and suddenly, the head was crowning, the head was out, the body was out - baby out! All in one push. The time was 8:57 pm. I guess she really did have to push! While her baby was being suctioned on her abdomen she said, "Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you" with a big smile on her face. Her husband was also there, smiling.

Adorable little baby girl named Sherly. 6 pounds 12 ounces. Healthy, pink, cute, round-faced, head full of gorgeous black hair, champion breastfeeder. Sherly.

What could be more fun than to take part in stuff like this!!?? What a privilege.

2 comments:

Lou and Marilyn Sawchenko said...

Very cool! You are definitely privileged Jen!

melissa v. said...

j.e.a.l.o.u.s! am waiting on pins and needles for the right time in my life to get to do this!!!! grrrr....

xo

so glad you get to catch so many babies!!!