Move over, Clement Clarke Moore

A call light flashing for a room with a 10cm dilated patient is pretty much the best thing that could ever happen on the labor and delivery floor. The nurses jump up, the midwife sets down her coffee, and the super-excited (but totally professional) medical student all rush down the hall, eagerly anticipating the birth of a fresh new little babe. Be still, my uterus.

I just finished up my Ob/Gyn rotation. Part of my rotation included two weeks on the Labor and Delivery floor which meant one thing: BABIES!!!  I've seen too many vaginal births to count, and was even allowed to "catch" a few babies myself. Because this rotation will forever hold a special place in my heart, I wanted to write something to commemorate my time with all the excited new mommas and (nervous as all get out) new daddies to-be. In lieu of another list (which we all know I love), I give you a poem...

“'Twas right after the call light flashed”

'Twas right after the call light flashed, when all through the floor

Not a person was sitting, waiting around was no more.

The nurse jumped up, right out of her chair

And the midwife, mid bite, set down her pear.

The medical student looked up, from her very dull text

And could only hope, she knew what was happening next.

The three of them rushed to the room down the hall,

When they walked in the daddy-to-be looked ready to bawl.

A look of determination swept across the mom’s face.

“Lets do this!” She said, “This baby won’t wait!”

Sterile gowns were tied, white gloves put on,

One last check was performed, that cervix was gone!

The midwife looked at momma, “You know what to do.”

“When the next contraction comes, you push right on through.”

A contraction spike began climbing, on the monitor screen

The poor woman turned red, and started to scream.

She gritted her teeth and moved that baby on down

Straight through the birth canal, until baby started to crown.

“Medical student c’mon! Put your hands right on mine.”

So I bent next to the midwife, and her hands I mimed.

“You can do it!” rang out, the nurse's loud cheer,

"Just one more push, she’s practically here!"

And sure enough, a head started poking through.

The miracle of life – with lots of other goo.

With all the strength she could muster, that momma pushed

When a head popped through, albeit kind of smooshed.

Then one shoulder came, and then one more

And finally a beautiful baby, met by no one before.

Up on momma’s tummy, new baby went

Momma smiled through teary eyes, her energy all spent.

The daddy carefully stayed at the head of the bed,

And bent down and kissed his new daughter’s head.

“You’ve done it,” we cheered. “You are such a champ!”

And I almost forgot, my scrub pants had gotten kind of damp.

The new momma glowed, and she thanked us all

“Baby girl 13:15!” was shouted down the hall.

And as another shift ended, on the L&D floor

That was awesome I thought, I’m ready for more!

I changed out of my gooey scrubs, and replayed it all

I smiled and thought, maybe I'll be an Ob/Gyn, after all.

~The End~