Yesterday Friend had her baby. She was part of the operative team when I had Son, and I was thrilled she asked me to deliver her baby in return. I followed her until third trimester, then had my stroke and could no longer deliver because of the sequelae in one of my hands. She chose another colleague, also my friend, to take over her care, but asked me to be with her as a friend. The room was nearly silent during delivery, with a nurse and physicians and husband who all know and love this woman surrounding her with quiet support.
It was a beautiful labor and delivery. Friend looked so strong and gorgeous as she pushed out her daughter. They put the baby on Friend's chest and baby immediately latched to a breast, eating like she'd been training for months. I stimulated her and suctioned her right there on mom's chest, then took photos of proud Dad with his girls. Usually when I deliver a baby, I have to focus on the medicine, look for problems, be concerned about bleeding and placental release. This time, I just sat back and enjoyed the show. What a treat.
Yesterday Friend had her baby. She was part of the operative team when I had Son, and I was thrilled she asked me to deliver her baby in return. I followed her until third trimester, then had my stroke and could no longer deliver because of the sequelae in one of my hands. She chose another colleague, also my friend, to take over her care, but asked me to be with her as a friend. The room was nearly silent during delivery, with a nurse and physicians and husband who all know and love this woman surrounding her with quiet support.
It was a beautiful labor and delivery. Friend looked so strong and gorgeous as she pushed out her daughter. They put the baby on Friend's chest and baby immediately latched to a breast, eating like she'd been training for months. I stimulated her and suctioned her right there on mom's chest, then took photos of proud Dad with his girls. Usually when I deliver a baby, I have to focus on the medicine, look for problems, be concerned about bleeding and placental release. This time, I just sat back and enjoyed the show. What a treat.