Exactly one year ago today almost to the exact hour (9:40 P.M.) a patient was admitted to our Labor and Delivery unit with ruptured membranes. Nurses on our unit repeat this next task on a daily basis and always with the same care. We put external monitors on the patient – one to monitor contractions and one for the baby’s heart rate. The rapid beat of the baby’s heart (usually between 110 and 160) is one of the most beautiful sounds in the whole world. On January 3, 2011, this baby’s heart rate dropped into the 60s. What happened next is the type of scenario we prefer to practice in drills and thank goodness we do!

The baby’s umbilical cord was prolapsed and the pressure of the baby’s head or, as in this case, body could cut off the valuable blood and oxygen supply. Sandy immediately put pressure upward on the baby which relieved pressure on the umbilical cord. Simultaneously she also managed to call for additional help. While Sandy performed this vital task the rest of the team prepared for immediate surgery – starting an IV, placing a Foley catheter, calling the OB/GYN surgeon, alerting anesthesia, notifying the neonatal intensive care, transferring to an operating suite, and so on. At 9:53 PM, a mere 13 minutes after the patient’s arrival to our unit, KPL was born.
KPL and Sandy Thomas happen to have the exact same birth date!