CHEST Guidelines-Partial-Birth

Partial-Birth_chest (1)

Pdf Summary

The poem "Partial Birth," authored by Robin Scofield, is dedicated to the author’s sister who faced the profound emotional experience of conceiving a child with spina bifida, confirmed through an ultrasound. The narrative captures the anxiety and heartache conveyed over a phone call, with the sister's voice likened to the pain of a hairline fracture. The moment of revelation is marked by the sonogram technician's ominous response, leaving the sister in a state of suspended breath amidst the reflective surfaces akin to a horror scene. The imagery conveys the visual confirmation of spina bifida as the doctor points out clear signs on the ultrasound, contrasting with the confusion faced by a traveler unable to interpret foreign symbols. <br /><br />Previously, the sister had marveled at the life inside her, cherishing the first flutter of movement of her long-desired child at forty. This cherished dream is abruptly overshadowed by the diagnosis, the baby described as a "luxurious stretch" now presented with challenges like misshapen legs to clubbed feet. The poem metaphorically describes the ultrasound machine emitting a "dangerous light," as the sister endeavors to grasp the reality of an impending loss before what had only just begun takes root. There is a poignant resignation to the alteration of life's potential path, captured in a futile attempt to find solace in the face of inevitable sorrow. <br /><br />The poem is a submission to the journal CHEST's Pectoriloquy section, adhering to guidelines for new, unpublished poems related to medicine and reflecting clinical human experiences.

Keywords

Robin Scofield

Partial Birth

spina bifida

ultrasound

emotional experience

sister

poem

diagnosis

clinical human experiences

Pectoriloquy