The World’s Greatest Magic Trick

Like clockwork, every single delivery I have watched or assisted on cues tears in my eyes and a "wow" under my breath. I feel like I'm watching the world's greatest magic trick and it never gets old. I have been pretty sold on applying into OBGYN since before matriculating into medical school, but my second-year OBGYN rotation truly sealed the deal. 

A core memory is working with one particular family during my labor and delivery service. I was on night shift with my best friend, so the night already started on a win. My patient labored for hours and while it wasn't her first rodeo, it was her husband's — in the couple's home country, men were not allowed in the delivery rooms. This dad was witnessing the birth of his child for the very first time. This mom was getting to welcome her baby with her husband for the very first time. And I had the privilege of facilitating this experience for this couple. 

The entire night, he did not leave her side for a second. He was the water man, the ice man, the fan man and the hype man. 

Nervous beyond his wits, he was up on his feet, ready for action every time a member of the medical team came into the room. Watching the little moments of reassurance, gratitude and sheer love between this couple was straight out of a Valentine's Day movie. I was determined to help make this day the best I possibly could have. I didn't realize it, but I ended up spending the entire night in their room. 

When it was finally time to push, he turned to me for instruction, and I showed him how to help support her legs and coach her through each push. Then he did something I didn't expect: he began to pray over her. Every wince on her face made him chant louder and blow a stream of cool air on her face in prayer. Before we knew it, I got to catch Sweet Baby as they came out and brought them up to mom's chest to meet their parents. I went back down to the foot of the bed to finish my part of the job and learn how to suture a second-degree laceration. 

And yes, of course I teared up. Once again, I saw my favorite magic trick and watched two people graduate from being a couple to being a family. After all was cleaned and done, I was getting ready to leave when I felt a hand tap mine: it was the dad, welcoming me to join hands with the new parents to pray over Sweet Baby. Me!? Are you kidding!? I was just the medical student! But in that moment, this family made me one of their own. Those few minutes we shared were some of the most divine, most loving minutes I have ever experienced in my life and for that, I am so grateful. 

After we exchanged pleasantries, I went back into the team room, fist-bumped my bestie, learned about peripartum cardiomyopathy from my senior resident (shout-out Dr. Nick Raja), and headed home after sign-out. Getting off night shift, I was physically tired, but mentally, I was on a high. As one of the nurse midwives taught me, the labor and delivery floor is one place in the hospital that patients are happy about to coming to. It is the least pathological thing that brings them in. And if I had to be up at 2 am for anything, it would be this. 

Mohika is an M3 and UMMS Social Media Intern. Outside of the hospital, she loves to dance, play poker and hang out with her friends, and is a full-time Costco enthusiast.