You be the Judge

Some would jump at the chance to deliver a baby, others would run away. I find my stand somewhat neutral actually. Don't get me wrong, I will catch one any time or place necessary but It just doesn't do it for me like other aspects of medicine. Hence the reason I will not be working in obstetrics and gynecology in the future. I can be as graphic as anyone wants as far as the details and reason behind my love-hate relationship with OB/Gyn but I will keep it somewhat palatable.

My day Friday morning started at 7 am. We were on call for the group of doctors for labor and delivery as well as seeing our own patients in the clinic. There was a very sweet lady we had in labor with baby #5 all morning. When we finished our morning clinic we went to the hospital and broke her water. My preceptor thought it would be a good idea to hang around since she was nearly completely dilated and looking ready. About 1 pm we suited up and I got to catch my first baby. Pretty routine really. The doc leaned over and whispered in my ear "Don't drop the baby." I have to say it was kind of a duh moment until I got a handful of that greased up water balloon. I was constantly having to re-grip the little slippery pete. Fast forward until 9 pm when I was sitting at home snacking. Phone call from my preceptor announcing "We have four in labor and two are getting close." Boom, off I go to labor and delivery. It was about 2 hours later when I caught the second one of the day. Then my doc just had me assist with the next 2 deliveries since they weren't technically our patients and were first timers. Here comes the good part and my reasoning for this not being my favorite area of medicine. Also not for the squeamish.

Delivering a baby has a unique smell, period. The body part that lies just below the birth canal or vagina is the rectum and anus. Let me paint a picture for you. Before birth, think of an "innie." During and immediately after birth it looks more like an "outtie." Not cool. I also saw an prolapsed hemorrhoid hanging a couple of inches outside the anus. It was my job to deliver and look over the placenta as well to make sure it was intact. The placenta smells awful. Our 3rd delivery of the night, her vagina blew up. Not cool. Took us 30-45 minutes to put it back together.

So, that was my 1st of 7 on call nights. I will enjoy and soak up the next 3 weeks and then kiss OB/Gyn goodbye. Not entirely of course because it makes up a pretty big piece of emergency medicine. Indefinitely I will keep everyone abreast of the excitement to come.