Almost 500

I keep a book with the names of all the women whose births I've attended. It starts with the first baby boy I delivered as a fourth year medical student, and ends with the little boy I delivered last Friday. During my third year of residency, I mislaid the book for several months, so I missed at least 40 births during that year. I gave myself a low estimate of 293 births by the time I graduated; the actual number was probably higher.

While bringing the book up to date last weekend, I was amazed to discover that I have delivered 461 babies during my short time as a family doctor. That includes two sets of twins and a whole bunch of second babies for women whom I'd attended for their first birth. It does not include C-sections, which I never count. Along with date of the birth and the woman's name, I make notations about the circumstances of the birth: "I arrived to see someone else. She was on her hands and knees at the nurse's station, wailing."

Four hundred sixty-one births. That's almost 500, a number I associated with wise women and elders in a community. Me? Maybe I was wrong.

From time to time, I'll write about a memorable birth story. Glad I kept track all these years.

Comments

[Doctor Anonymous]

Hi there! Thanks so much for following me on Twitter. I will do the same. Welcome to blogging! You've got a great start over here. I'm going to mention you on my blog and hopefully others will come over and take a read. I'm going to be adding you to my blog roll. Keep up the great work!

[Andrea]

Coming from a lay person with no medical background but a mom of 3. Why do you not include C-sections in births attended. Where you not there?

[rlbates]

Welcome to the blog world.

[Vijay]

Hello & welcome to blogging.
I came here from Dr.A's blog. You've been blogrolled, subscribed & follwed (on twitter).
500 is a big number! Looking forward to reading some of those stories.

[Ian Furst]

hey theresa,

good luck with the blogging -- i've got you're rss feed from google/reader now. I'll add you to my blogroll. I came here from Dr. A's blog.
www.waittimes.blogspot.com

[Theresa]

Good question Andrea. I am often at a C-section as an assistant surgeon, but I don't add the birth to my roster unless the circumstances are notable. Asking myself why I do this, I think it is because I opted not to obtain training in C-sections, and therefore consciously "gave up" the right to claim those births on my life list. Now that I write that down, I realize how silly it is, because for all those C-sections (and I think they would add another 125 names to the list, at least!), I must have spent hundreds of hours laboring with the women until the C-section became necessary.

I should re-think my record-keeping policy. Thank you for the question!

[Jessica Bond]

Growing up in a rural community, I know how difficult it is for communities to recruit and retain physicians. I can assure you that all those families that you delivered their babies will talk about your good work for years to come. Thank you for being connected to purpose in your care for people and congratulations on your blog.

Warmest regards,
Jessica Bond
Medical Careerist

[Dragonfly]

That is so cool. I am starting my medical school obstetrics placement on Monday, and hope to catch a few myself..

[Cathy]

I also had wondered why you didn't count c-sections. Thank you for explaining it.

I found you through Vijay's (scan man) and Dr. Anonymous blog. Your blog is very interesting...Welcome to blogland.

[SeaSpray]

Hi-I found you through Dr A. Welcome to the blosphere! :)

Your childbirth stories would make for an interesting book someday.

That must be one of the best feelings a person can have...to be instrumental in bringing a new baby into the world. And just to be there and witness it. Wow! :)