Two Dr. Mitchells?

I had my 2^nd OR experience the other day. I got to watch a C-section! I have wanted to do this for a long time, but every time my friend the OB calls, it’s never been a good time. Every time I am available... there are no scheduled C-sections. You get the idea. But it finally happened.  Free babysitting from my parents, and a pregnant Kenyan lady with a scheduled C-section. 

I went intending to watch, just as I did when I went in with Eric during surgery, but this time, they let me scrub in! I don’t know if I was really supposed to, but someone offered, and I jumped on it.  

The actual scrubbing process went fine.  I had watched Eric do it a couple times. I was fitting well with the mantra of surgery training... see one, do one, teach one. I then had to figure out how to stay sterile and get on all the other paraphernalia. (They must teach you that in med school. I skipped med school. I’m taking the learn-on-the-job route.) One of the doctors gave me a quick lesson on what NOT to touch, and where NOT stand, and who NOT to let walk in front of you. (So much to remember.  On second thought, maybe I should have gone to med school!) After all that preparation, the fun started! 

I got to stand right up at the table, and watch them make the first incision.  The doctors then continued by cutting, yanking, pulling, and cauterizing. I can’t believe how tough the body is; how it can handle being yanked and pulled apart. How small an incision it takes to yank those babies out. Yep, you read correctly, babies.  I got a two for one- it was twins!!

              I was a legit, people.  I held the bladder blade retractor, was squirted with some bodily fluid, they passed me the babies and I even got to squeeze the uterus. 

The babies were a boy and a girl. The mom spoke a little English, so I learned that her previous two children were girls, so one of these twins being a boy was a big deal! (they never know what they are having ahead of time) It is very important in this culture to have boys, so that your family line continues. When girls get married, they essentially leave their family for good. They don’t even see their family for years usually. (that is why the bride’s father is paid a dowry, they are losing a family member) The family land is also passed on to the sons, not the daughters. So, the first twin out was a girl, but shwooo, the second was a boy! That mama was happy.

I stuck around to watch the uterus be shoved back in, and to see her being sewn up. Then I decided I should go back to my day job.

Next on the docket, assisting Eric with a case! ;)