Labor
Labor
To be in the actual process of giving birth.
I am certain that my hands were merely moments away from delivering a baby, along with all the extras, into this world this past weekend. I shiver at the thought and shake my head at the memory, yet some part of me thinks that the possibility did have the potential of being one fantastic story (or a great contribution to the game Two Truths and a Lie).
At work, where soon-to-be-mothers prey, I was suddenly informed that a lady was in labor. This tid-bit is oddly familiar to me at work, so I was quite laid back about it, questioning if the woman could wait 10 minutes for the next available ride to the hospital. To my dismay, waiting was not an option, as the contractions were merely minutes apart and she was feeling "low pressure". My own pressure then raised, still at a healthy level, as I picked up the phone to call 911. Being my first 911 call, I must say that I was a little excited and overcome with a sudden boost of adrenaline. All was well and good until the second dispatcher came onto the line...
- 911, what is your emergency?
- I am at work, there is a lady in labor.
- Oh! In labor?
- Uh... yes?
- Oh!
The double "oh's" were unexpected on my part and not very appreciated... Again, my pressure levels raised.
- Ok, well, how far along is the mother.
- I have little medical information, I am only a receptionist.
- Oh!
Again, note the "oh".
- How old is the woman in labor?
- 25
- How many children has she had?
- This will be her sixth.
- Oh!
The "oh's" continued as my panic rose. The dispatcher then told me to remain calm, with a less-than-solid tremble of assurance in her voice, as she led me through precautionary delivery protocol. I was asked to get towels, blankets, a shoelace and safety pin (for the umbilical chord of course). At this point, I was less than calm as the idea of childbirth, led by none other than myself, became a little more probable.
Finally, and probably only 7 minutes later, a team of 9 paramedics and medical crew arrived with both the fire truck and ambulance. I was then saved, relieved and once again stress free.
- You did really well! Be proud of yourself, you did very well.
- This wouldn't be the first baby born at the Centre.
- Oh!
"Sweet is the memory of past labor."
- Greek Proverb
To be in the actual process of giving birth.
I am certain that my hands were merely moments away from delivering a baby, along with all the extras, into this world this past weekend. I shiver at the thought and shake my head at the memory, yet some part of me thinks that the possibility did have the potential of being one fantastic story (or a great contribution to the game Two Truths and a Lie).
At work, where soon-to-be-mothers prey, I was suddenly informed that a lady was in labor. This tid-bit is oddly familiar to me at work, so I was quite laid back about it, questioning if the woman could wait 10 minutes for the next available ride to the hospital. To my dismay, waiting was not an option, as the contractions were merely minutes apart and she was feeling "low pressure". My own pressure then raised, still at a healthy level, as I picked up the phone to call 911. Being my first 911 call, I must say that I was a little excited and overcome with a sudden boost of adrenaline. All was well and good until the second dispatcher came onto the line...
- 911, what is your emergency?
- I am at work, there is a lady in labor.
- Oh! In labor?
- Uh... yes?
- Oh!
The double "oh's" were unexpected on my part and not very appreciated... Again, my pressure levels raised.
- Ok, well, how far along is the mother.
- I have little medical information, I am only a receptionist.
- Oh!
Again, note the "oh".
- How old is the woman in labor?
- 25
- How many children has she had?
- This will be her sixth.
- Oh!
The "oh's" continued as my panic rose. The dispatcher then told me to remain calm, with a less-than-solid tremble of assurance in her voice, as she led me through precautionary delivery protocol. I was asked to get towels, blankets, a shoelace and safety pin (for the umbilical chord of course). At this point, I was less than calm as the idea of childbirth, led by none other than myself, became a little more probable.
Finally, and probably only 7 minutes later, a team of 9 paramedics and medical crew arrived with both the fire truck and ambulance. I was then saved, relieved and once again stress free.
- You did really well! Be proud of yourself, you did very well.
- This wouldn't be the first baby born at the Centre.
- Oh!
"Sweet is the memory of past labor."
- Greek Proverb
posted by Karyn at 5:17 PM
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