Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Caesarean section

I've just returned from the ward. Last night was action-packed.

I got the opportunity to observe a Caesarean section (an operation performed to deliver a baby via the transabdominal route) which started at 11.35 pm. The procedure was indicated as the patient had premature preterm rupture of membranes (PPROM) and the amniotic fluid index (AFI) was low. Besides, the baby had a breech presentation, meaning that the foetal buttocks (instead of the head) occupied the lower part of the uterus and this would complicate normal vaginal deliveries.

CW and KH accompanied me. It was our first time entering an operating theater (OT) and watch a surgery. Needless to say, we're ecstatic and jubilant. We're required to change into the blue suits ( I don't know what they call them. Surgical gowns?), masks and green caps provided. Even that was enough to make us exuberate. Our laughter permeated the entire changing room. Heh.

The surgeon made a transverse suprapubic skin incision and cut open the abdominal wall, layer by layer. The urinary bladder was reflected inferiorly and the uterus incised. Finally, the baby was taken out. The procedure was much simpler than we thought. It looked kind of quick and easy to our untrained eyes.

It was enjoyable being in an OT for the first time. The 3 of us took tons of pics before changing into our formal attire (at 0035).

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