3 am is not my best time to be giving bad news. As physicians, we are often faced with giving heart-wrenching, life-changing news to our patients which can be difficult on both sides.¹ How the news is delivered can have a life-long impact on our patients and families, providing hope and support.

When I was called for the delivery after many hours of labour, my patient, a 23 year old first time mom who had a normal pregnancy, had been in labour for 12 hours. Finally, the nurse called saying she was “fully and ready to push”

The delivery room was cold and sterile with green linoleum tiles covering the walls, and a neon OR lamp casting an eerie sheen in the room. Mary was lying on the birthing table propped up with her husband Jamey. The nurse was busily inserting an IV and trying to get her into position for delivery, encouraging her to start to push. I encouraged her saying “you are progressing very well”