Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 261

Five Vital Signs – Episode 261

261. Dangerous Situation

Ui-jin, feeling the weight of Tae-kyung’s gaze and the attention of the entire medical staff, spoke with newfound resolve.

“First, I’ll close it temporarily. Can someone hand me the suture kit?”

Ui-jin’s expression betrayed her anxiety as she looked at Tae-kyung.

She paused, setting down the needle and thread she had picked up.

“Dr. Jung?”

Tae-kyung looked at her, puzzled. Ui-jin, aware of his scrutiny, stood up. The situation didn’t feel right, no matter how she analyzed it.

“Just a moment, I need to make a quick call.”

She was likely calling her mentor for guidance. In fields like obstetrics and gynecology or surgery, it’s common for doctors to form strong, lasting mentorships during their training.

Even so, contacting a mentor in the middle of the night was a difficult decision. But time was of the essence for Ui-jin.

The mother’s condition was deteriorating rapidly, leaving her with no other choice.

Tae-kyung had faced similar situations before, and he understood his junior’s feelings. The pressure of making a critical decision under immense time constraints could be overwhelming.

Ui-jin’s anxiety and inner turmoil must be intense.

Even as an observer, Tae-kyung felt his heart pounding. He could only imagine the surgeon’s internal struggle.

Tae-kyung had rotated through all the departments as a student, but his memory of obstetrics was hazy.

However, his extensive surgical experience had equipped him with skills that could potentially help the patient.

“Ugh!”

Seeing the patient’s pallor deepen, he couldn’t stand idly by.

He desperately wanted to alleviate the patient’s suffering.

Realistically, Tae-kyung’s options were limited. But he believed he could take some actions that wouldn’t cause harm.

‘I can’t just stand here. I have to do something for the patient.’

Above all, the mother’s condition was alarming, and the ominous smell of the fifth vital sign [an indicator of a patient’s overall well-being, often related to infection or tissue damage] was overpowering.

The mother hadn’t even had the chance to fully cherish her newborn daughter.

Tae-kyung was determined to support Ui-jin and save the patient.

‘Okay, let’s try something that won’t hurt the patient.’

He couldn’t remain passive. Tae-kyung resolved to act on behalf of the groaning patient.

“D, Doctor. What are you doing?”

The nurse beside him, startled by Tae-kyung’s actions, asked in surprise.

“Just a moment.”

Tae-kyung, who had been using gauze to control the bleeding, inserted his hand deep into the mother’s uterus.

He relied solely on his hand, without any surgical instruments.

The nearby nurses were taken aback by this unconventional approach.

Regardless of Tae-kyung’s surgical skills, the situation demanded specialized obstetrical knowledge.

It appeared as though a non-obstetrician was attempting something without proper expertise.

That assessment wasn’t entirely wrong. However, they overlooked a crucial factor.

Tae-kyung might lack specific obstetrical training, but his years of surgical experience had honed his tactile senses to an extraordinary degree.

His fingertips possessed an almost intuitive awareness.

‘Surely the feeling of touching the fundus [the uppermost part of the uterus] is like this… Is it this way? Huh!?’

Tae-kyung, concentrating intently on his fingertips, recognized a familiar sensation.

It felt as if a thin membrane was gradually tearing and thickening.

‘This is it! I’m sure.’

At that moment, only one thing could be causing that sensation inside the uterus: retained placenta [placental tissue remaining in the uterus after childbirth].

“Oh my!”

“Oh my goodness!”

The observing nurses exclaimed in unison. Simultaneously, the intense formalin-like odor that had permeated the room began to dissipate.

They had encountered the smell of formalin countless times during critical surgeries, but this was the first time they had such a strong aversion to it.

All patients were precious, but the fact that this patient was a mother amplified their concern.

“It looks like most of the retained placenta is out, right?”

“What did you say?”

Ui-jin, who had finished her call and was returning to resume the procedure, overheard the nurses and rushed over, questioning them.

“……!”

Seeing the majority of the retained placenta in Tae-kyung’s hand, her tense expression visibly relaxed.

“That’s a relief.”

“It’s not over yet, is it?”

“No, of course not. But removing the retained placenta significantly reduces the risk of bleeding and the need for emergency surgery.”

The tension in Ui-jin and Tae-kyung’s faces eased.

“Administer more oxytocin [a hormone used to contract the uterus and control bleeding] and transfuse her. We’ll monitor her overnight. You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”

Ui-jin, after speaking with Tae-kyung, carefully explained the situation to the patient, who was still disoriented from the pain, and offered words of comfort.

“You’ve worked so hard. And your beautiful daughter is healthy, so try to relax and focus on your recovery.”

“Yes, thank… you.”

The mother, her voice weak, made eye contact with Ui-jin and Tae-kyung and expressed her gratitude.

“I think I got too complacent because it was my fourth birth. I was terrified from the moment I was transferred to the hospital, and then the pain overwhelmed me. Thank you so much, doctors.”

“No, you’ve been through a lot.”

“Of course. Don’t mention thanks. As Dr. Jung said, you’ve worked hard.”

Following Ui-jin, Tae-kyung also reassured the patient.

“We’ve addressed the most pressing concerns for now. There’s still a risk of bleeding, but Dr. Jung and I will monitor you closely to ensure you recover smoothly.”

“Yes…”

“As the director mentioned, our medical staff and I will check on you frequently. Once the bleeding stops and your uterus returns to normal, we’ll address the fibroids [non-cancerous growths in the uterus]. You’ve endured so much for so long. You’ve truly been through a lot.”

The mother, listening to Ui-jin’s heartfelt words, slowly nodded. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Perhaps she was overwhelmed with gratitude for the medical team’s dedication and relieved by their comforting words.

Tae-kyung and Ui-jin, witnessing her emotional release, felt a lump in their throats, but they quickly regained their composure.

“Okay! Get me two units of packed red blood cells (RBCs). Start a Hartmann’s solution [an intravenous fluid used for hydration and electrolyte balance] drip at 300 mL per hour, monitor her hourly urine output, and notify me immediately if her vital signs fluctuate.”

“Yes, Doctor. I understand.”

“I’ll see you again, Mom.”

“Yes, Doctor. Thank you for your hard work.”

Ui-jin, after issuing the remaining orders, removed her surgical gown along with Tae-kyung and left the delivery room. They headed to the waiting room where the family was anxiously waiting.

“Doctor!?”

As soon as he saw them, the mother’s husband jumped up from his seat and rushed towards them. Like baby birds awaiting their mother, the three sons also ran forward, their faces etched with worry, accompanied by their grandmother.

“My wife, is she, is she okay?”

“Yes, we’ve passed the critical point for now, and the baby was born healthy. The mother was very strong.”

Ui-jin carefully updated the anxious family on the mother’s condition.

“The director and I will continue to monitor her closely.”

“Thank you. Doctor. Thank you so much.”

The husband and mother-in-law, relieved that the worst had passed, expressed their heartfelt gratitude.

“Thank you.”

The responsible eldest son and the playful second son also conveyed their appreciation.

“Me too. I’m also grateful.”

“Thank you all.”

“…Excuse me, Doctor?”

The gentle third son, who had been hesitating with a serious expression, tugged on the hem of Ui-jin’s gown.

“Yes, do you have something to say, little friend?”

Ui-jin knelt down to meet the child’s gaze.

“Are my mom and the youngest, So-el, okay too?”

The youngest son, still in elementary school, was so concerned about his mother and sister that his eyes seemed to brim with tears.

Despite his age, his worry mirrored that of his father, grandmother, and older brothers.

“Your sister’s name is So-el?”

“Yes, Lee So-el. I’m her brother, Lee Woo-joo. My second older brother’s name is Lee Woo-sun, and my oldest brother is Lee Woo-min.”

“Everyone’s names are so cool and pretty. So-el and Mom are okay. You were very worried, weren’t you, Woo-joo? That’s very admirable.”

“Really? Mom and So-el are okay?”

“Of course. They’re okay. You’re a big brother now, right, Woo-joo?”

“Yes, since I’m an older brother, I’ll take good care of my sister and listen to my mom and dad.”

“Wow! You’re really amazing. I think you’re going to be a really cool older brother, right?”

“Thank you. And thank you, Doctor.”

The third child politely thanked Ui-jin and Tae-kyung. The adults in the waiting room couldn’t help but smile at the heartwarming scene.

“Doctor, take this.”

The child offered Ui-jin a small sticker he had been clutching tightly.

“It’s my most precious one. This character uses magic to help people. It looks like you, Doctor.”

Wanting to help his mother and sister in his own way, the third child offered his most prized possession as a gift.

“Oh my, thank you.”

“I’ll put it here and help people even harder in the future.”

Ui-jin, touched by the child’s pure gesture, placed the sticker on her gown, and Woo-joo beamed with pride.

“See you later, Woo-joo.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“Then, I’ll see you again.”

After greeting the family, nurse Im Jung-sook entered and discussed visitation procedures, and the two doctors left the waiting room.

An hour later, Tae-kyung and Ui-jin checked on the mother’s condition again and were relieved to find that she was improving.

The alarming smell of the fifth vital sign had also diminished, registering at Stage 2.

“Mom, get some rest.”

“Yes, Doctor. Thank you.”

Click-

“Want to grab a cup of coffee?”

“Sure.”

While Tae-kyung made coffee, Ui-jin sank into a chair.

“Ha!”

It felt as if all the tension that had been coursing through her body was finally dissipating.

“That was tough, wasn’t it?”

“I feel like all the strength has drained from my legs. I felt really dizzy earlier. I wondered if I was being too ambitious? I even questioned whether I should have taken the case.”

“That’s not true. To be blunt, if you had turned her away, that patient would have been in a far more dangerous situation.”

He wasn’t just trying to comfort his junior.

If Ui-jin hadn’t performed the delivery, the mother, who was already in critical condition, might not have survived the journey to a distant university hospital.

“It wasn’t an easy situation. You worked hard.”

“No. I was able to alleviate a lot of concerns thanks to you, senior. Thank you.”

“What are you talking about? You did well today.”

“It was a more challenging case than I anticipated, but I’m glad the mother delivered safely.”

“That’s right. When the baby came out earlier, I felt so strange, what should I say? It was touching and very mysterious.”

“Right? It’s always like that. It’s been a while since I’ve done a delivery, but as soon as I held the baby, that familiar feeling came rushing back.”

Ui-jin had been unable to relax until the very end due to the mother’s condition, but that moment was equally moving for her.

The birth of a new life is an extraordinary experience that defies description.

“Senior? I’m going to start studying again, attend conferences, and get back into it.”

“Okay. Do whatever you want. But don’t overdo it.”

“You know that’s what I tell you every day, right?”

“Was it? I don’t know.”

“That’s because you don’t listen even when I tell you not to overdo it.”

“The coffee tastes better today for some reason. Don’t you think?”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“Words aren’t objects, how can I change them?”

“Ugh! That’s not funny. Do you know you’re subtly corny, senior?”

“No way. How warm-hearted am I?”