Holding On - NFS

This is nurse's week and I have been thinking alot about my many years as a nurse.  I worked as  a Women's Health Practitioner in several roles so my nursing career focused on mothers and babies.  I remember one mother who came into the unit in labor and she had no idea how far along her pregnancy was.  This was years ago when ultrasounds were not very sophisticated, as they are today.  I remember the doctor performing an ultrasound on our very old equipment and he told me to schedule a helicopter transport for the patient to a high risk facility because she was in active labor and the baby looked very small on ultrasound and we were not equipped at our small community hospital to offer the care this infant would need.  I went to tell the patient of the plan and she said, "I cannot do that.  Please deliver my baby here.  I do not have transportation and if my baby is born in another city I will not have a way to go back and forth to be with him.  I have other children at home  and no money."  I told the doctor what she said and he said, "well we will do the best we can."  The baby's heart rate started to drop and it was evident the patient would require a cesarean section delivery.  As I was getting her ready for surgery, the patient asked me, "would you do something for me?"  I said, "Yes" thinking she might want me to call someone but instead she asked, "would you pray for my baby?"  I laid my hands on her tummy and prayed.   I do admit, it was a selfish prayer asking God to please help me, the doctor and the pediatrician know how to care for this small infant.  As the patient was taken to surgery, I got the nursery ready to admit a premie.  When I heard the pediatrician come down the hall from surgery, he was walking.  My heart dropped because I thought the baby surely had died during delivery and he had no reason to hurry.  But I was wrong, he said, "Marcia, come to the warmer."  He opened his little blanketed bundle and there was a kicking, squirming, whimpering little fellow who weighed in at 6 pounds, 3 ounces and he was breathing without assistance.  

Later the obstetrician came back to the station and he asked me, "What went on back there?  The patient said you saved her baby's life?"  I told him I had prayed for her and the baby.  Not sure how he would respond I told him I would never force my beliefs on someone but the patient had asked me to pray for her so I did.  He then smiled and said, "could you be on call for that because it is a lot easier than a helicopter transport."

This Sunday is Mother's Day and I celebrate mothers.

This painting was completed on my iPad - just a quick sketch but I loved the picture.

Happy Mothers Day.