The Unexpected Delivery

     On a seemingly ordinary day, my partner and I received a call to assist a female patient who was about to have a baby. However, there was a twist - the report we received was rather uncertain. It suggested that we were either dealing with an obese woman pretending to be pregnant for a free ride to the city or an actual pregnant woman on the verge of giving birth. The nurse who gave us the report wasn't entirely sure either way.

      Undeterred by the ambiguity, we arrived at the clinic ready to handle whatever situation awaited us. After a thorough examination and a pregnancy test, we confirmed that the patient was indeed pregnant. However, none of us believed she was ready to deliver just yet. Her contractions seemed milder than a stubbed toe, and based on her pregnancy history, we suspected she was just watching the clock and exaggerating the intensity. My partner and I exchanged skeptical glances. We decided to take a different approach and opted not to bring out all our equipment. Instead, we allowed the patient to sit in a regular chair during transport while we monitored her vitals. It wasn't uncommon for patients to seek transport for various reasons, so we remained cautious.

     As we flew closer to the receiving airport, the patient's contractions intensified and grew closer together. Just when we thought we had it all figured out, the unexpected happened. The patient let out a blood-curdling scream, pointing down at her crotch region. We all looked down and saw a bulge protruding from under her jeans. Panic ensued.

With the plane rapidly approaching the runway, I had to act quickly. I set up my obstetrics kit on the floor of the plane and gently guided the patient to the floor. This was my first time delivering a baby, and I could feel the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders.

      As the plane came to a stop, my partner swiftly opened the door and ran to get our parked ambulance at the hangar. I was left alone, facing the imminent delivery. Memories of practicing on a mannequin in school flashed through my mind. I took a deep breath and prepared myself for what lay ahead. Thankfully, the delivery itself was relatively straightforward. All I had to do was catch the baby as it made its grand entrance into the world. However, nobody had warned me about just how slippery those little bundles of joy could be. It was like trying to hold onto a bar of soap in a hot shower. But with determination and a steady hand, I managed to safely catch the baby and cut the umbilical cord. By the time my partner returned, a healthy, warm, and dry baby had been brought into the world. I had wrapped them up snugly, feeling a mix of pride and excitement. The fear that had gripped me earlier had transformed into a newfound confidence. I had learned my lesson - from that day forward, I would always err on the side of caution when it came to pregnant patients. No more second-guessing or skepticism. If someone claimed to be pregnant, I would believe them wholeheartedly.

     We swiftly transferred the patient to the waiting ambulance and made our way to the local hospital. As we drove, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible journey I had just experienced. What started as a day filled with uncertainty had turned into one of triumph and awe.

     From that moment on, I carried with me a newfound respect for the miracles of life and the unexpected twists and turns that came with being a Flight Paramedic. And as for delivering babies? Well, let's just say I was always prepared for anything, no matter how slippery it might get.