First Cut, First Cry: My Unforgettable C-Section Experience

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This is the day I’ve been waiting for—assisting in a C-section. For the last few days, it has been raining heavily in Karachi—the roads were full of water, and it was predicted to rain that day too. Since I did not want to miss this chance, I reached my university a bit early. If you’ve read my previous posts, you would know that my father has not been well for the last few days. To take care of him, I was unable to go to university the entire week. I’ve also been preparing for my upcoming exams, but my father’s health condition put everything on hold.

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Once at the university, I had my morning tea and went to the ward for my classes. Fortunately, we were taught about the instruments used in the gynecology ward that day, which made it easier for me to assist later on. The elective OPD has morning slots but is usually quite full, so we undergrads don’t often get the chance to assist there. We went to the emergency OT instead, which isn’t in the best condition, but in an emergency, what matters most is getting the job done. The emergency OT time slot was in the evening, so I spent the day studying in the library.

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As I studied, the anticipation built up inside me. Though my prime interest lies in cardiology, the idea of bringing a new life into the world brought a different kind of excitement. After offering my prayers, I took a short nap. When I woke up, it was time to report to the ward. The rain was pouring down heavily outside, so we stepped out early. I borrowed a jacket from my friend, getting ready to assist in my first surgery.

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When I arrived at the OT, the surgeon I was supposed to assist was already inside, so I had to wait for a while. As I waited, the sounds of the OT—the beeping machines, the shuffling of feet, the faint murmur of the medical team—filled the room. I even took a few pictures inside the OT while waiting. The scent of antiseptic was strong, a constant reminder of the sterile environment I was about to step into.

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Finally, the moment arrived—scrubbing in. Following the protocol I washed with Povidone-iodine disinfecting my skin before surgery. As I scrubbed in, my thoughts briefly wandered back to my passion for cardiology. While the thrill of working in cardiology comes from solving complex problemsbut for this there’s a unique and indescribable joy in helping bring a new life into this world. This experience reminded me that medicine in all its forms, is about life at its core.

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Assisting in my first surgery was an experience I’ll never forget. The moment the head surgeon pulled the baby’s head out and the baby cried—it’s something that, as a doctor, I’ll never be able to put into words. That first cry, a symbol of life beginning, is etched in my memory. Writing about it now refreshes these moments in my mind, and I hope it will do the same when I read this post decades from now.

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The baby was quickly taken to be cleaned, weighed, and massaged with oil. Since I was assisting, I couldn’t hold the baby in my arms, as we still had to suture the mother and ensure everything was alright before sending them home. I’ll attach a picture from a previous post-call when I had the chance to hold a baby.

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By the end of the surgery, I was exhausted. I managed to take a picture with my female colleague, who recorded the entire process for Steemit. If you’ve read my previous post, you’d know that I gave her the chance to assist when I was asked to scrub in. This time, she assisted me and captured the moment for me.

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On my way back home, I stopped by a dairy, ordered a milkshake to refresh myself, and headed home. All I could think about was how I had just helped bring a new life into this world—a surreal experience that transcends words.

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Though my heart is set on cardiology, this experience has left a lasting impression on me. It’s a reminder that, regardless of the specialty, every branch of medicine offers its own unique delights. The duality of life and death in medicine is profound, and days like this make me appreciate the breadth of what it means to be a doctor. Who knows how this experience will shape my future career? Perhaps it will remind me, years from now, that every new life we help bring into this world is a testament to the impact we can have as doctors.

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regards,
Dr @abdu.navi03