A physician-mother on maternity leave learns how she can ’t ignore her job

The stretcher was wheeled into the operating room.  I had been in this room on three prior occasions, under very different circumstances. But today, as I lay flat on the table, listening to the small talk around me, I tried to breathe against the weight of the baby and the pressure of the procedure.  My husband will later tell me it happened so quickly, but for me, time stood still until I heard the crying.  A reassuring sound.  A healthy baby girl.  After settling into the world, they brought her over for me to admire.  My reaction was the same as with our first daughter; I vomited.  So much for the glamor of childbirth. The first few days were a blur.  My husband was home for a week.  His paternity leave/week of “vacation.”  The nights were longer than we had remembered, but despite our struggle, our little girl was thriving, and her sister was slowly adjusting.  Like that we were a happy family of four. When my husband returned to work the following week, I settled into a routine.  Although not exciting, I was thankful to have this time to bond with my daughter.  To concentrate on breastfeeding.  To learn how to be a mother of 2 as my husband was rewarded with multiple call nights upon his return from “vacation.”  It was hard to determine who was more exhausted. Days passed, the holidays came and went, and suddenly I became acutely aware of my 12 weeks of leave.  Almost double that of my first child, and paid, a luxury the second time around. But I ...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician OB/GYN Source Type: blogs