You know what badass is? A doctor who delivers a baby when she’s supposed to be delivering her own. This is what happened to Kentucky obstetrician Dr. Amanda Hess last week, according to People.
She was in her room preparing to give birth to her second child when she realized a woman down the hall was in dire need.
The woman two doors down from her was in a serious condition, since her baby’s heartbeat was dropping, something that gets medical staff worried. Because the on-call doctor was not in the building yet, Hess became the doctor (aka superhero) on call at Frankfort Regional Medical Center in Frankfort, Kentucky where she normally works, throwing on an extra hospital gown and boots.
Hess’ own labor and birth was scheduled to be induced on Sunday (she ended up giving birth to her own baby girl, Ellen Joyce, at 9:30 a.m. on Monday). But even though the original on-call doctor was only 10 minutes away, Hess said she felt that no time should be wasted to help mom and baby get through it all safely.
Thankfully, the other patient gave birth to a healthy baby. Hess’ own baby, Ellen, was subsequently born at 6 pounds, 12 ounces. Isn’t it great when news stories actually have happy endings? Mazel tov to both families, and thanks to all the doctors who make these kinds of decisions routinely.
