I just woke up from a little nap after my first ~30 hour day of call on the Labor and Delivery unit at the hospital. It is a weird experience to be there that long. I was rounding on patients this morning and had to keep reminding myself to talk to them about their delivery yesterday, even though it was all one big day to me.
And, yep, I did catch, all by myself, two little babies while I was there.
I also got to be part of three C-sections and observe a couple other, more complicated deliveries. It is something amazing to be the first one to have your hands on and hold a new little life. I was very fortunate in that the two I delivered were very excited and very much looking forward to their little ones. The joy in the room was palpable, and to see the smiles on the parents is an incomparable experience. I have mentioned a couple times that being in medical school can be a very humbling experience. And I was reminded of that again in the past couple of days as I was so openly and warmly included into this special moment of their lives.
I am exhausted, but energized at the same time. Oh, and I didn't drop either one!