A Day I Won't Soon Forget...

Today was a very special day for me. I will admit—I am going completely out of order from telling all about my clinical experiences in order. But this is too great to share!

Dr. Cardwell, my preceptor for my surgery rotation, and I had nothing on the surgery schedule today, which is unusual for us. We went to 9 West to round on one patient. After we were done there, he told me to go down to the OR and find “something interesting” to watch. So, I wandered down to the OR, looking at the large board full of names of patients and surgeons, with different surgeries to be taking place. I wasn’t finding anything that jumped out at me right away. I had done laparoscopic cholecystectomies, hernia repairs, cyst removals, etc. I was looking for something that really made my day—something I had never seen before… And I spotted it. “12:00 PM—C-section of triplets”. I knew I wanted to be there! However, I didn’t know the physician, and I sure didn’t know my way down to Labor and Delivery. I got up the nerve to ask one of the receptionists if there was any way to watch, or if the physician would even let me in the delivery room! I was assured that it would be okay. I watched to clock tick away, anxious to see the surgery…

After talking to the patient, she and her husband had tried to conceive using the typical methods. They then tried fertility drugs—nothing. They finally considered having an egg donor help them. They conceived, using only 2 eggs. However, one of the two eggs split! Thus, three babies!

The time had come. The patient was draped, given her spinal block, and laid back on the table. Show time! The babies’ father walked into the room and took the head of the bed by his wife. He was nervous, but beaming! The incisions were made through the skin, the fat, the fascia, and finally, the uterus was exposed. One incision and a HUGE clear gush of amniotic fluid came out! Within seconds, the doctor was pulling on the head of Baby A—a boy! He was crying a high-pitched squeal from the moment he was born. Next, within 30 seconds, came Baby B—a girl! She had a full head of hair! Finally, just a few seconds later, Baby C was born—another girl! She presented breech, but came out easy. They all cried the high-pitched cry I am assuming nearly all newborn babies cry. I having to admit—I stood out of the way at the end of the table, with a tear in the corner of my eye too. I had never seen any baby that small and healthy—let alone three at once!

I watched as the babies were carried to the warmers, rubbed clean, and folded up in blankets. I was honored when the father of the babies asked me to take pictures. What an amazing moment for this family! I was so happy to be apart of it. All of the triplets were healthy and happy and pink! What an amazing feeling to be a part of God’s glory and grace. Happy birthday, Samuel Dalton, Emily Elizabeth, and Anna Sophia. Welcome to the world!