Doing Obstetrics last year. One of my favourite rotations in medical school. Pretty girl, first baby. So excited. Boyfriend and Mum, so excited. Suddenly, baby's not doing so well. People come in and out the room, surround the bed. Told that she would need an emergency caesarian. Right now. Paediatricians woken up. Theatre prepared. Obstetric Registar awaits with scrubbed hands, crossed in front of him (the way they do to avoid touching anything). Crying from pretty girl and boyfriend, Mum being soothing. She's bought into theatre. Midwife says to Dad "scrubs in there if you want to come in." Points, leaves. He changes, comes out pulling the top over his head. Comes into theatre. Mum sits outside the door, staring in front of her. Pretty girl is quiet now but her mouth is shaking. Then suddenly, so so quickly, there's a wet little baby crying. He's completely fine. Given to the paediatricians, deemed hunkydory. Given to pretty girl. Midwife looks over her shoulder at me - "Go tell Mum if you want." I go outside. She's there, she stands and I will never forget the look on her face. I knew then, looking at her, that despite her calm before, she was expecting the worst and thought I was going to say her daughter/grandchild was dead. I made my face break out in a smile and said that her daughter and grandson were doing really well and everything had gone fine. Her face crumpled. She sat down again very quickly. I put my arm around her, feeling her woolly jumper and sweat on her neck. I told her she could see him in a minute. She cried and cried.
