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"I carried a watermelon."

I delivered the placenta.  Said in the same way Baby said "I carried a watermelon" in Dirty Dancing.

My shift was over.  I was heading to the lounge to collect my things.  My NP colleague came out of the room across the hall in a scurry.  "She's about to have a baby."  I didn't collect my things; I stayed to help.  We were already busy and we were running short staffed.  Besides, one of the coolest things one can ever do in life is witness a life being born. 

The patient was a teenager.  She presented to the ED with her mother complaining of stomach pain.  Her mother was worried sick.  The patient spent a lot of time in her room and could barely stand or walk because the pain was so bad.  Mom was legitimately concerned for her daughter's health.

The patient never told anyone she was pregnant.
Mom was just finding out now that she was about to be a grandmother.
A 17 year old about to become a mother, crying and saying "I'm sorry, mommy".

The physician came into the room.  It was a quick and easy delivery.  The patient had been in labor all day.  She did not have any prenatal care, but she was otherwise young and healthy. 

This is nothing like tv.  We're in a busy, loud, Emergency Department.  Child birth is messy.  The baby was whisked next door.  The room wasn't big enough for two patients.  The physician went to check on the baby and I was left with the new mother and grandmother. 

I delivered the placenta.

I was there for the delivery of the baby.  It is quite a spectacle to see brand new life and to see a baby take its first breath.  Nothing in the world can compare to it.  When everything goes right, as messy as it is, it is one of the most beautiful moments one can witness.

My shift was long over and I was able to go home.  At that time, our hospital did not have Labor and Delivery.  Both new mom and baby had to be put in ambulances and transferred to hospitals that could take care of them.  All of my colleagues had to continue seeing patients, colds, illness, elderly, injuries, people fighting off death...  The things we face every shift will never be so bad that seeing new life doesn't make the day a little better.

For the record, new grandma was a sea of emotions, but supported her daughter every step of the way.  Sadly... weeks later, I heard from a colleague that the baby became a CPS (Children's Protective Services) case.  We can't save them all, but we sure as hell try.

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