Great Stories
Montana Campus Corps:
College Students Meeting Critical Community Needs
A memorable Day in the Delivery Room by Natalie Valov

Recently I had an opportunity to serve as a volunteer in our local hospital's labor and delivery room. This 13 hour day consisted of helping the labor and delivery nurses with vitals and charting for women in labor and assisting with post-partum and newborn assessments. This was my second day in the maternity ward as part of my clinical hours required by the nursing program I was enrolled in.

As a mother of two college age students, I was not really too excited about serv ing in this environment, feeling like I had "done all this before". On this day, however, my attitude was altered permanently, as I was privileged in assisting and observing the complete birth of a beautiful 7 pound baby boy. The mother, already experienced in childbirth with two young children was adamant in wanting "natural childbirth." She had been admitted the night before and because of her slow progress in labor was given repeated doses of oxytocin, a drug given to enduce labor.

The drug, was not having the desired rapid effect on this mother and she underwent a porolonged and painful labor with long but unproductive labor contractions. I spent hours with the mother, walking her in the halls and helping her in and out of the theraputic hot tub. Her mother and sister finally arrived to give her mental support. On that day, I was benefited by working closely with an excellent and caring maternity nurse. She engaged me in nearly all aspects of the delivery process and I felt truly involved.

After nearly 10 hours of labor, the mother was nearing exhaustion and the fetus was showing signs of stress. The mother finally agreed to a limited epidural and the doctor ordered the anesthetic team to come. There were three other mothers in labor at that time however, and the mother would have to wait her turn in a process known as triage. The mother tried every possible position to endure the labor even standing up. She lost her composure completely swearing and moaning alternately. For those of you that have experienced giving birth, it reminded me of the complete mental absorption that mothers go through during that last phase of birth. The room may be full of nurses, doctors and loved ones, but the mother is only focused on one task.

After her water was broken by the doctor, we all hoped that her labor would speed up. After more than an hour had passed, it was beginning to look like a C-section would be necessary. We all continued encouraging the mother and then it began to pay off. After a few more pushes, the baby's head crowned. I felt exhileration in watching the miracle of birth. The baby was bluish but regained good color quickly. It was a visual and gutteral process, including the final birth of the placenta. I helped weigh and measure the baby. I helped clean up the room which was litered with soiled linens. I thanked the mother sincerely for allowing me to participate in this extremely meaningful day with her. Most of all I felt something that I had not anticipated. It was the truth that among life's experiences there is not much that rivels the birth of a human being or the totality of the day's experience leading up to that single task. I marveled at the nurses and doctors who are committed to this field of practice. I also realized that I would indeed enjoy an opportunity to work in this capacity.

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