Volunteering At Emory Hospital Through Health Program

For the next nine months, I will be volunteering at Emory University Hospital at Midtown as a Labor Support Volunteer. In this picture, is me and my friend before we entered our shift. Our role is full of strengths as we are able to have hands on experience with supporting those in labor throughout their journey. We helped with breathing control, aromatherapy, counter pressure, messages, affirmations and holding legs while they push the baby out. This is a way for us to get direct patient care in a clinical settings, which is quite valuable as we hope to transition to medical school. On the other hand, it was harder to distinguish which acts we could conduct in order to follow the guidelines of the program and due to patient's comfort. This can be difficult as we want to help but certain patients may not want the services, but we always respect their choices. In order to improve, there could be more check ins with the staff to see how I can better support in my role. 

What I enjoyed most about this experience was how it connected to everything else I’ve been learning and doing. In my women’s health and science courses, we talk about patient autonomy, stress responses, and health disparities, but in the delivery room, I saw these ideas in real life. I recognized a pattern across many of my experiences: whether through research, class discussions, or volunteering, I’m drawn to spaces where compassion and science meet. The labor support role reminded me that healthcare isn’t only about treatment, but it's also about being present, listening, and understanding the emotional side of healing.

This experience reaffirmed my passion for maternal health and my desire to pursue medicine. Watching mothers bring new life into the world showed me what holistic care truly means. I saw how small gestures of reassurance can shift an entire birth experience, and that realization has reshaped how I see my future as a physician. At first I doubted my impact, but the patient and nurses enjoyed our presence and appreciated the help. Moving forward, I plan to continue building on this foundation by shadowing in obstetrics, engaging in maternal health research, and seeking out programs focused on health equity and patient advocacy. The Emory Labor Support Program didn’t just teach me about childbirth, it taught me about humanity, empathy, and the kind of doctor I want to become.

Christian Scott