"Laboring Life" by Adina Greene, BA

A young woman,

Sprawled on the hospital bed.

She pants as she takes her husband’s hand,

Preparing yet again to push.

Her next-of-kin still trapped in the womb of its creation.

Sweat runs down her face,

Exhaustion.

Tears build in her eyes, she feels as if she is failing.

The doctor’s metal hands, guide new life into the world.

The young woman now takes on a brand-new role.

Mother.

The husband’s eyes grow large, tears stream down his cheeks.

His son is born.

Since birth, crying has never been a sign of weakness.

But a sign that we are alive.

Adina Greene is a third-year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix (UACOMP). Adina completed her undergraduate studies in Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley. During her undergraduate studies, she had a special interest in Greek and Roman literature which partially inspired her decision to pursue a Certificate of Distinction in Health Humanities with a focus on narrative medicine and poetry at UACOMP. In this 100-word love story, she shares her first experience on labor and delivery during her OBGYN clerkship and explores how strength looks different for each individual.