A breath holding moment for me, in fact for all who were in the operating theater (OT) that afternoon, when the baby's head was deeply engaged.
I was the first assistant for the emergency lower segment caesarean section case for acute fetal distress. Incision been made, baby's head was deeply engaged. Multiple attempts for per vaginal push were made but the surgeon still unable to grab and pull put the baby's head. Many things ran across my mind, what if:
-the surgeon failed to grab the baby's head?
-can the specialist make it on time if we call for help?
-can I hear the baby's cry today?
With a very little experience of mine, my heart was thumping with fear. I was sweating in a cool OT room. Most of the time, there was only a pediatric houseman (HO) there but this time around, I saw the pediatric medical officer (MO) was there too. Attempts been made for almost 10 mins and finally, the surgeon made the decision to deliver the baby via breech (means that pulling out the baby's leg first instead of the head). Thank God that the surgeon was able to locate the baby's left leg.... then the right leg. Baby was delivered with multiple twisting, due to the cord rounding the baby's body. I really admire this Dr. X's skills. Incredibly made me speechless. Above all, I saluted her calmness in time of emergency. She didn't scold anyone, she did everything calmly but very fast.
Once the baby was out, she didn't cry, she was handed to the pediatric MO. However, after a while, we heard the crying sound from outside. Everyone sighed in relieve. Then, the surgeon joyfully said, "Now, we can relax a bit and continue with the closing of the uterus and bilateral tubal ligation."
After the operation, I told her, "I was so scared just now if the baby couldn't be delivered."
Dr. X: Initially I was Uhm,,,ah,,err... already.
Me: But you are so calm just now!
Dr.X: If I was not calm, how about the rest of the people in the OT?
(With a smile, she walked away)
That evening, I went to NICU to see the baby. The baby was intubated. The impression was meconium aspirated syndrome. While writing this piece of sharing, I really hope that the baby is now ok.
I was the first assistant for the emergency lower segment caesarean section case for acute fetal distress. Incision been made, baby's head was deeply engaged. Multiple attempts for per vaginal push were made but the surgeon still unable to grab and pull put the baby's head. Many things ran across my mind, what if:
-the surgeon failed to grab the baby's head?
-can the specialist make it on time if we call for help?
-can I hear the baby's cry today?
With a very little experience of mine, my heart was thumping with fear. I was sweating in a cool OT room. Most of the time, there was only a pediatric houseman (HO) there but this time around, I saw the pediatric medical officer (MO) was there too. Attempts been made for almost 10 mins and finally, the surgeon made the decision to deliver the baby via breech (means that pulling out the baby's leg first instead of the head). Thank God that the surgeon was able to locate the baby's left leg.... then the right leg. Baby was delivered with multiple twisting, due to the cord rounding the baby's body. I really admire this Dr. X's skills. Incredibly made me speechless. Above all, I saluted her calmness in time of emergency. She didn't scold anyone, she did everything calmly but very fast.
Once the baby was out, she didn't cry, she was handed to the pediatric MO. However, after a while, we heard the crying sound from outside. Everyone sighed in relieve. Then, the surgeon joyfully said, "Now, we can relax a bit and continue with the closing of the uterus and bilateral tubal ligation."
After the operation, I told her, "I was so scared just now if the baby couldn't be delivered."
Dr. X: Initially I was Uhm,,,ah,,err... already.
Me: But you are so calm just now!
Dr.X: If I was not calm, how about the rest of the people in the OT?
(With a smile, she walked away)
That evening, I went to NICU to see the baby. The baby was intubated. The impression was meconium aspirated syndrome. While writing this piece of sharing, I really hope that the baby is now ok.
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