I think pretty early on in life (as in the first day of school) I realized what just about every other 5 year-old in the history of the world realizes. In life, we all need a buddy. As illustrated by the following story:

I opened my computer the other day which automatically goes to a newsfeed and I have to admit to getting a big kick out of one of the lead stories. The headline read: Woman delivers own baby on way to the hospital.

As a labor and delivery nurse of many years, I didn’t think this was particularly newsworthy since this probably happens an awful lot around the country on a daily basis. First off, I disagree with the language used because every woman delivers her own baby. I mean, yes most of us have some assistance (as in coaching) and some of us need an extra kick (forceps, vacuum) and some of us do need someone else to deliver us (as in the case with cesarean section) but I digress.

I decided to do an Internet search for similar stories and boy did I find a doozy: Australian woman delivers own baby in the hospital. Honestly, you have to go read this story. It’s both scary, sad and just a touch funny all at the same time. Basically, this woman went to the hospital, they didn’t think she was in active labor and she was put on some sort of non-critical unit (as in not labor and delivery) but some other type of maternity floor. The poor Sheila was actually in labor and had to resort to trawling through her own handbag for her own pain pills. Note to pregnant women everywhere: NOT a good idea.

After a while, she cried out asking for help. Lucky for her, another pregnant patient heard her and came to her assistance. This “buddy patient” even helped her deliver the woman’s “breach” baby and helped keep the baby alive until help came (a good 5 minutes later).  According to the hospital spokesperson both “mom and baby are doing well.”

What I find hard and scary to believe: that the baby was actually born in a breach presentation.

What I find easy to believe: that the patient delivered on her own with the help of another patient. Sad, but true.

What I find incredibly funny in a sad sad way: This quote from the hospital:

The hospital’s director of nursing and  midwifery, Mr David Simmonds, told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph that the incident  would be thoroughly investigated, but he pointed out that the birth and  maternity units had highly trained midwives and a full complement of staff at  the time.

‘Birth can be unpredictable and can at times  come on quite quickly. Staff provided regular monitoring of the patient and  offered the best possible care in the time frame,’ he said.

Glad to know that BS is served up Down Under as often as it is up here.

The moral of the story: Keep your friends close, but keep your buddies by your side!