When a call comes into the unit that "Labor and Delivery" needs a NICU RN and Neonatologist, you know that it may not be good.
Got one of those calls one night. The Doc and I ran to the Labor and Delivery unit, where they quickly ushered us into the surgical suite. An emergency c-section was under way, and the baby was in distress. Mom was laying on the surgical table awake and alert, scared out of her mind, Dad was at her side speakly quietly to her in spanish.
The Doc and I worked on the little infant, he came around very nicely, but did need further observation in our NICU.
As usual, I put our guest into a heated Isolete, so that I may transport him to the NICU safely. I always made a point of stopping by the mother's head so that she may see her baby, and encouraged the father to follow me to the unit.
I told mom, Baby was doing well but needed to be watched, she just nodded her head.
Dad followed me and baby out of the surgical suite and into the elavator. This is where I proceeded to tell dad that his son was doing well. Dad shook his head and said "no English". I then understood that these parents did not understand me. So I racked my brain for the few phrases of high school spanish that I could remember. I told Dad that his son was verde. (I thought I had just told Dad that his son was red or pink in color which was a good thing). But when Dad burst into tears, I didn't understand.
When I got to the unit with my baby patient and a sobbing father, the Doc asked me what happened.
I told him that Dad doesn't understand English and I told Dad that his son was Verde.
Doc burst out laughing, but then quickly reassured the Father that his son was doing very well and was rojo or rosa in color.
"Marylou" Doc said, "you just called his son green."
