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    Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

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  • Pregnancy and you blog

  • Oct. 26, 2012

    Labor stories: Trick or treat?

    By Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

2 comments posted

Do you love a good labor story?

It was Halloween morning, about 5 a.m., and I was waiting in my office for a patient who thought she might be in labor. As I waited, I thought about what I needed to get done that day and where we would take the kids for trick or treating that night — all the while wishing that my patient would show up because I was getting a little spooked.

At the time, our practice was in the old jail house. The building happened to house a room known as the hanging room. You can guess what took place there in days gone by. We were also graced by a backyard cemetery. What a spooky place to be in the dark, alone, on Halloween.

When I finally heard a car pull up, I was eager to see my patient at the door. When she didn't appear, I went outside to see if there was a problem. I found Marcy squatting by the door. I helped her up and we slowly made our way into the building. When I noticed a few spots of blood on her slippers, I knew an adventure was about to begin.

Sure enough, Marcy was completely dilated and ready to have the baby. The urge to push was strong and there was no waiting for the local ambulance service.

I quickly found our emergency delivery kit and called my partner to assist. She arrived quickly and so did the baby! I suggested the name "Jack" in honor of all the grinning pumpkins in town.

After turning an exam room into a birthing room and experiencing a beautiful baby's first breaths, I stopped worrying about the hanging room and the cemetery. I felt blessed and lucky to have been part of the best trick or treat ever.

2 comments posted

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MY02261 Oct. 26, 2012

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