Hey y’all, welcome to this week’s edition of Weekend Reflections, where I talk about what went down at work, the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Highs: One of my coworkers celebrated her birthday on Sunday, and it was a joy to be part of the celebration!
Lows: This week, I had to handle two cases of fetal demise. No matter how much experience I have, death never gets easier—especially when it involves a baby less than 15 weeks old. In these moments, words often fail me. All I can do is offer my deepest condolences, inquire about their support systems, and provide a listening ear and time. I’ve always felt that giving patients resources in these situations can seem almost futile, but I make it a point to explain that they don’t have to look at the resource folder today, tomorrow, or even next month. However, if they ever feel lost and need a place to turn, the folder contains valuable resources for postpartum support, support groups, and guidance on what to expect moving forward.
You’d think that after all these years, I’d be desensitized to death, to the cries of family and friends, to that overwhelming sense of helplessness. But the truth is, I haven’t. I’ve just learned how to process it better.