SYLACAUGA, Ala. – On Aug. 1, 2024, Dr. Michael Swearingen did something he has become quite accustomed to – he delivered a 10-pound, 1-ounce baby! However, this one meant that he had achieved a milestone, his 4,000th delivery.
“I delivered my first baby down in Pensacola quite a while ago,” explained Dr. Swearingen, wearing a big smile, “but it was during my residency at UAB that I realized this was going to be such a big part of my medical practice.”
It goes a bit deeper than that, to a long ago “rewarding” conversation with his mom about the miracle of birth.
“She was right,” Dr. Swearingen stated. “It’s been quite rewarding to build a strong bond with mothers and babies. It really is like having extra extended family. My family medicine practice often means treating the babies I delivered and seeing them grow up. It adds something, a feeling of family.”
Delivering 4,000 babies is a milestone Swearingen has been pointing toward for a while now that comes with a bittersweet decision.
“It’s a conversation I’ve had quite a bit as the number of deliveries started to add up,” said Dr. Swearingen. “I decided that when I reached 4,000, I would start planning my retirement from obstetrics. I’ll still be here, practicing family medicine as a primary care physician, but in November, I’ll be retiring from the practice of delivering babies.”
Swearingen has loved his time in the delivery room, but admitted that the nature of obstetrics can be tough.
“I have loved something that has been such a huge and important part of my life, but I plan for more family time after November. I’ll still be treating so many of the ones I’ve already delivered. As the time nears, I know I’ll hear a call for just one more, but it’s time.
