I'm currently on OB/Gyn at the Navy Hospital in San Diego. Going into the rotation, I had three concerns:
1) How would I cope with having to get up at 4:30 am?
2) Would I ever want to have children again?
3) If called upon, with little prior preparation, would I be able to salute in adequate fashion?
The verdict so far:
1) Uhhh
2) Hmmmm
3) Yes, sir!
Actually, I've enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. I've gotten to do two deliveries by myself (with a resident physician supervising), and they were both incredible experiences. I'll tell you about the first one.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and I went into the labor and delivery room to meet the expecting parents. This was to be their first child, and they were both very excited. They had a traditional Irish name picked out for their son-to-be. More importantly, the father was wearing a Red Sox jersey, which was obviously appropriate because Game 3 of the Sox-Angels playoff series was that night.
The resident and I put on the sterile gowns and gloves, and a short while later, something unexpected and disturbing happened: The Red Sox lost. But before that, we all welcomed a beautiful and healthy baby boy into the world. As I pulled him out and made sure not to drop the slimy little guy, the parents both burst into tears of joy. The room may or may not have gotten a little dusty at that point.
As I was getting ready to leave the room, I heard the parents talking about how their son was bigger than they had anticipated. I told them he was "a regular Kevin Youkilis."
What better compliment to pay a new mother/wife of a Red Sox fan!
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