!! shree !!
While watching one episode of the serial “Kuch to log kahenge”,I was transported back to my internship days,one memorable night to be specific.
It was a usual night at the PHC (Public health Centre) where I was posted as an intern.Little had I known that it will turn out to be unforgettable one.That night I had the novel experience of executing a delivery.
I still remember that as an only female doctor present,I had to do extra night shift.I was studying for my forthcoming PG entrance exams and trying to stay awake.(which in other word means I was dozing in my chair while the contents of the book were supernaturally entering into my highly receptive intelligent brain.) My peaceful meditation was disturbed by the nurse who in her shrill voice announced that one 22 year female,in labour pain has been admitted and I have to attend her ASAP.All thoughts went out of my mind and for one full second I went into panic mode.”What to do ? Will I be able to do the delivery ?What if something happens ?” You will wonder that why an intern has to do this sort of thing.Let me explain.My lady Medical Officer was on leave and there was nobody to supervise.This happens many times in a government medical setups where staff is always in short supply and so are the equipments.
“Give me strength,O God ! Help me do this properly.” I prayed to God and stepped into the delivery room fully prepared.Same nurse had also invited another intern,Sachin.Rubbing his sleepy eyes he came to assist me.
I took my first notice of the patient.A village girl,of short stature,thin and weak was laying on the delivery table.I checked her pulse,BP and general condition.It was good.Contractions were strong,regular and coming rapidly.I checked her thoroughly and judged that head of the baby will come out in just 2 minutes.I waited with bated breath for that arrival.So was the would-be mother.Yet I had to repeatedly order her to take breaths and push alternately.At the back of my mind I was preparing myself to deal with Cephalo-pelvic-disproportion(head of the baby larger than the birthing canal),which is one of the most commonly occurring problem in rural obstretics patients.I was hoping against hope that this time such problem will not occur but alas,my hope was dashed!
The baby’s head got strucked.All of us (I,Sachin and the nurse)were ordering the mother-to-be to push with all her strength but she was too exhausted.
Finally I looked at Sachin.Nodding to him I asked him to take position beside the patient.Inserting fingers inside the opening,gently cradling the baby’s head I started pulling it outward.At the same time,Sachin started pushing the baby by applying pressure on the abdomen.
Both of us were anxious while doing this because such types of maneuvering can cause damage to the baby’s head.But this time God was with us.
Crowning time ! The baby’s head came out !
The sound of our sighs mingled with baby’s cry when it took it’s grand entry into this world.
With screwed face,wrinkled reddish,sticky skin the baby looked at me with wondering eyes,maybe thinking who is this strange creature ? Where am I ?
The doctor in me was doing a quick APGAR score,looking over the baby’s body,checking for any visible abnormilities.The human in me was wondering about this miracle.The miracle of BIRTH !
Carefully I gave the baby to the nurse for clean-up and turned my attention towards the new mother.The afterbirth also took a long time,needing hand maneuvering. Again a new experience.
After some time,the new arrival and the new mother were ensconced in their bed,resting peacefully.Giving further instruction and treatment orders,I went to the OPD.
Exhausted,yet exhilarated ! My first delivery !
It was as joyous and happy occasion as a first victory.Sachin came and we both congratulated each other.It was time for celebration.He brought luke-warm tea,no doubt co-axing from the night-shift nurse.I rummaged into my bag and found a Parle-G mini-pack.Saluting each other with the tea cups we celebrated our triumph.
That day,Parle-G tasted like a rich dessert !
Maybe victory has its own sweet taste.
- Purnima Deshmukh Purekar
कोणत्याही टिप्पण्या नाहीत:
टिप्पणी पोस्ट करा