birth

Birth

                                       By A. J.Cronin

Analysis:

The story ‘Birth’ is written by A. J. Cronin, the Scottish novelist and physician. It is an excerpt from his novel ‘The Citadel’.

This story is a beautiful message of mental strength, courage, deterrence and resilience and commitment to profession.

It is an account of a complicated case of child birth tactfully dealt by a doctor, Andrew Manson who has just started his medical practice in Blaenelly. The family of Joe Morgan was expecting their first child after 20 years of his marriage, hence they were anxious still they had complete faith in Dr. Andrew.

It vividly captures his first experience of the childbirth, highlighting the emotional intensity, professional responsibility, and life-and-death dilemmas. 

The style of the story is narratives as it narrates small details, situation, surroundings, characters and the small acts of bravery and courage performed by the doctor.

The story is great lesson to all the people on how to fight the hurdles and emerge triumphantly in the time of crisis especially about the life-saving acts of the doctors who bring smiles on the grim faces.

Dr. Andrew Manson stood out as a true example of strong stamina and perseverance. He displayed amazing sensibility with sensitivity, great awareness of medical cases, and complete commitment to his profession with an amzing sense of kindness.

 

Summary :

The story is about Andrew Manson, a young doctor who has just started his career as an assistant to Dr. Edward Page in Blaenelly, a small Welsh mining town. This excerpt narrates one intense night in his career that tests his knowledge as well as his emotional strength.

It begins with Joe Morgan waiting for Doctor Andrew Manson as his wife was in labour pain even before the time of her child’s birth. She was in a critical situation. Andrew tried to come out of the unpleasant time with his girlfriend Christine. He got his bag, came out of his house and started walking towards Joe’s house 12 Blaina Terrace, Joe’s house. When they reached, Joe told, he won’t come in and showed full confidence in Andrew. Joe was tense and nervous.

Andrew entered the house and reached the bedroom which was not lavish, but was neat. Inside the room there were Mrs. Morgan’s mother, who was an elderly woman and a midwife to assist the childbirth. Mrs Morgan’s mother offered Andrew a cup of tea. Realising the old lady’s worry due to the waiting period, giving a gentle smile doctor comforted her saying that he won’t go anywhere before the child birth.

Though he was mentally and physically exhausted due to the unpleasant encounter with Christine, he knew it was impossible for him to even get an hour’s worth of sleep if he went home.

He went upstairs after almost an hour to check upon Mrs Morgan and again come back. While he sat in the kitchen, Mrs Morgan’s mother sat in front of him wearing her black dress. She looked at him constantly with her wise eyes that were filled with hope.

He was still being haunted by the incident that took place at Cardiff station with Christine. He decided not to marry recalling some examples of failed marriages in his acquaintances, Bramwell, Dr. Edward Page and Denny.

The old lady tells the doctor that Susan was worried Susan due to her complicated situation and refused to have anaesthesia as it might affect the baby. She told him, they all want that child very badly. The doctor assured the old lady that the anaesthetic would do no harm to either of them.

Suddenly, the nurse called the doctor that Mrs. Morgan needed him as it was the time. After struggle of an hour the child was born with the first ray of the dawn, but the child was lifeless. As he looked at the lifeless child, a shiver passed down his spine. He was devastated as well as confused. He had to decide to address the still-born or the miserable mother. He intuitively addressed the mother first while giving the child to the nurse. Susan laid unconscious. He instantly broke the medicine’s glass to fill the syringe and inject it into her.

When he was assured that she was safe, he turned to the child without wasting a moment. The midwife had kept it under the bed, considering the child lifeless. He took the child out. The child had perfect shape and flawless soft skin. His body was warm and limbs felt boneless. He observed the child and knew it could only be a case of oxygen deprivation. He had seen a similar case in Samaritan. He instantly stood up and asked the nurse to bring hot water and cold water in separate tubs. The nurse hesitated as she thought the efforts were useless but the doctor shouted at her to follow his instructions.

Then, Andrew grabbed a blanket and placing the child on it, performed the CPR. The nurse arrived and he began with the procedure. In one basin, he put cold water and in the other, he put hot water at the temperature the child could bear. He started dipping the child in the basins, one after another. He did the procedure for about fifteen minutes. He was extremely tired and sweating badly. One of his sleeves got unfolded and wet with water. Despite all his effort, the child still laid lifeless. After the long struggle, the floor was extremely wet and dirty. He slipped and the child also almost slipped as he was wet like a white fish. The midwife then pleaded the doctor to stop as the child is stillborn.

He felt that he had failed so, was disheartened. All eyes were on him. Then, he thought of something else and rubbed the child with towel, and then clinched and released the child’s chest. He repeated this process again and again. Just then, like a miracle, the little chest which was enclosed in Andrew’s hands, took a breath. He continued heaving, leaving Andrew weak in his knees. The feeling of the little one’s breathing on his fingers was incredible. He, then doubled the efforts until the child breathed deeply. As he gasped, a bubble formed by the mucus came out of the baby’s tiny nostril, his pale skin turned pink and the body no longer felt like it was lifeless.

The nurse was praying with tears in her eyes. Andrew handed her the child, he felt extremely weak and tired. The mother lay still on the bed, the anesthesia still had its effect. Susan’s mother stood still in one place in wonder and gratitude.

Andrew told the nurse that he will take his bag later. After drinking a glass of water from kitchen he took his coat and hat and headed outside. He met Joe outside and told him that everything was fine. While walking towards his home, his heart was full of the thought that he finally accomplished something.

 Important Question Answers

What impression do you form of Andrew Manson on the basis of the story ‘Birth’?

Ans. Andrew Manson is a young doctor who has recently started his medical practice as an assistant to Dr Edward Page in the small Welsh mining town of Blaenelly. Andrew is mature enough to keep his private and professional lives apart. Once confronted with his responsibility, he discharges his obligations to the utmost capacity even though he was mentally exhausted and sad after his fight with his girl friend, Christine. He is duty conscious. 

He is not a theorist only. He believes in practical approach. He is pragmatic and is smart at trying new methods as per the demand of the situation.

Andrew is sensible as well as sensitive. He respects feelings of others. He knows how deeply Susan and her family loved her coming baby. He has polite manners and reassuring tone. On the whole, Andrew is a dedicated and committed doctor and a compassionate human being.