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Not worse but heartbreaking & beautiful... I delivered a baby once that had a genetic condition incompatible with survival. https://twitter.com/saltyemny/status/1306025489925124096
It was not the couple’s first. They had older children who were healthy. They knew about their baby’s condition & chose to continue the pregnancy. The mother told me she wanted to carry that baby and love it until it passed. Stillbirth was considered highly likely.
But she went into labour at term. The baby was still alive. We didn’t do fetal monitoring because we wouldn’t be intervening for fetal heart rate concerns.
She had a very smooth & quick delivery. Gave birth on hands and knees. It was a live born baby. As soon as that baby was born she spun around and picked up that little bundle and stared talking.
Her first words were “We love you SO much!” I’ll never forget it... she went on to talk & talk with tears streaming down her face. “Welcome! You have a big brother & a big sister. Your Daddy is right here too. We met on a beach on Europe. You are born into so much love.”
I was an absolute mess. I rarely cry at work, but I couldn’t see to finish my delivery note. That baby lived for almost 3 hours. The atmosphere in that room was one of the most powerful things I have ever had the privilege to experience. An absolute honour to be there.
That couple held & loved that baby & each other until the end came peacefully. Weeks later I got a card from them with a picture of them & the baby, thanking me for the care. I was the one who should have thanked them. Birth & death on the same day.
That experience has never left me. It was a defining moment in my development as an OBGyn. One of the many reasons I’m glad I chose this profession.
