CHEST Guidelines-Partial-Birth

Partial-Birth_chest

Pdf Summary

The poem "Partial Birth," by Robin Scofield, expresses the emotional turmoil faced by the author's sister upon learning that her much-anticipated late-in-life pregnancy revealed through an ultrasound that her baby had spina bifida. The poem is rich in imagery and metaphor, likening the sister's phone conversation to the pain of a hairline tibia fracture. A moment of dread ensues as the technician observes the ultrasound, leaving the sister in a state of helpless anticipation. The doctor’s observations reveal the baby’s critical spinal deformities and clubbed feet, which are likened to a roadway devastated by an earthquake. This medical revelation starkly contrasts with the previous joyous sensations the mother felt when the baby moved inside her—a creature she had longed for at age forty. <br /><br />The ultrasound machine's light, symbolizing the illumination of painful truths, beams into the woman who struggles to comprehend the near-certain loss of the potential life within her. This is a deeply emotional journey of accepting the premature end of something treasured from its inception. The final imagery in the poem reflects the inescapability and gravity of circumstances that alter the course of their lives irremediably. Published in the "Pectoriloquy" section of CHEST, a journal focusing on medical narratives and experiences, the editor's note underscores the importance of poetry in exploring themes relevant to the medical field. Michael Zack, MD, provides submission guidelines for those interested in contributing, with emphasis on medical-related themes.

Keywords

Partial Birth

Robin Scofield

emotional turmoil

spina bifida

imagery

medical narrative

ultrasound

pregnancy

poetry

CHEST journal