Chapter 23
I arranged for other interns to immediately take the pregnant woman to the obstetric operating room.
When the male family member came back after paying the fee, he asked me with trembling lips: "Doctor, is the baby okay?"
I said, "There was hypoxia in the uterus. You need to be mentally prepared that the baby may..." I paused for a moment, "You should have come to the hospital earlier. I hope it's not too late now."
He regretfully slapped himself, "It's all my fault. I thought it was nothing and wanted to sleep a little longer."
There was a fetal heartbeat, the fetus was still alive, but the impact of the hypoxia on the child in the future, no one could guarantee. Life is so fragile. His regret now was trivial compared to the potential after-effects on the fetus.
The operating room called to say the other doctors were still in surgery. Chief Physician Liu directly arranged this surgery for me.
The anesthesiologist was in position. I washed my hands, disinfected, put on sterile clothes, wore a sterile cap... The anesthetic started taking effect on the pregnant woman. The nurse prepared the sterile drapes. With scalpel in hand, I made an incision from 4-5 cm below the navel to the upper edge of the pubic symphysis, cut open the peritoneum, retracted the bladder, and the round amniotic sac enclosing the fetus was exposed. Carefully avoiding the major blood vessels, I slowly cut open the amniotic sac. Juan immediately suctioned the amniotic fluid that came out with the rupture of membranes...
The small round head that had not gone through the birth canal, eyes closed tight. I carefully lifted him out from his mother's belly, a tiny life, now cradled in my hands.
I turned and handed him to the midwife. I was the surgeon. My main task now was to deliver the placenta and then suture the incision.
The monitor showed the mother's heart rate speeding up, blood pressure rising. Through my mask I said, "Don't be nervous. The doctor is suctioning the baby's airway. It's a boy."
"Why isn't he crying?" the mother asked tearfully. As soon as she finished speaking, the newborn let out a faint cry.
"Don't worry. We'll record everything, take good care of him, then bring him to you."
Male, 2.3 kg. Transient respiratory distress. Skin pale. Weak cry. Poor muscle tone. Decreased throat reflex. APGAR score 7...
Juan carried him over to the mother. "This is your mom. Come, lie on mom's chest for a bit. Let's let mom take a look at baby now." Juan gently spoke, softly directing the mother to look. "Now we're putting on his wristband. We'll take him to the incubator in a bit."
"Is there something wrong with him? Doctor." The first-time mother asked anxiously.
"He experienced hypoxia in your womb, his lungs aren't fully developed yet. Don't worry."
Juan was very gentle. She had a kind heart, and was so gentle with the mother and baby. I really liked her a lot.
Layer by layer I sutured the incision closed. Subcuticular suture. Reverse knots. In about 6 months the scar would fade to a faint mark.
The newborn lay on his mother's chest. The first-time mother smiled happily, with tears in her eyes.
Where does the meaning of this work lie? Why choose to become an ob-gyn doctor?
Perhaps it lies in this tearful smile!
I don't have high hopes for marriage, but I look forward to having my own child. I will love her with all my heart, which is also one of the reasons why I don't want to take risks or sacrifice myself.
I must, I have to become a good mother. I will tie her hair in pretty little braids, play dolls with her, tell her stories, I will give her all my love...
Just like my sister took care of me when I was little.
My sister, as pure and beautiful as a pearl, who killed herself to prove her innocence after being raped by intern teacher Bo Rongqi.