Born for Television

Promoters of televised medical demonstrations had always steered clear of childbirth. How could they be sure that the baby would be born on time? For the American Medical Association convention at Atlantic City last week they scheduled color television (over a closed-wire circuit) of a birth, and the expected happened: the happy event was deferred beyond television time. But the program builders found another expectant mother synchronizing her pains with their plans.

In return for having her hospital bills paid, Mrs. James Gallagher, wife of a McKee City roofer, agreed to have her fifth baby before the cameras. At 1:30, the baby's head became visible on the screen. After a few more minutes Philadelphia Obstetrician John C. Ullery began to think about using forceps to speed the birth and ease the pain. Mrs. Gallagher, wide awake and sipping Coca-Cola, had had only light caudal anesthesia.

At sight of the forceps, several women in the audience of 1,500, gathered around multiple sets, seemed about to faint. But more of the baby's head appeared and Dr. Ullery laid aside the forceps, decided that only some cutting of the perineum was needed. A quick snip, and the whole head appeared. The rest of the 9 3/4-lb. baby soon followed. Said Ullery: "This is a boy." The crowd applauded.

At 2:07, after being upended and drained of mucus under the camera's eye, Michael Gallagher gave his first yell. A few minutes later, Mrs. Gallagher raised herself groggily, looked at the camera, and took another swig of Coke.

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