Nurses in labor and delivery at Natchez Regional Medical Center say they work in one of the happiest places in town.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t get hectic.

On Monday morning &045;&045; Labor Day of all days &045;&045; the nurses had two babies born back to back and two babies in the nursery who needed special attention.

&uot;You just never know what’s going to happen,&uot; said RN Angel Lindsey.

By Monday afternoon, things had quieted down for Lindsey and her fellow nurses. They had two newborns in the nursery to care for.

&uot;It’s a job,&uot; RN Jana Hamilton said. &uot;You can’t just sit around and rock them.

&uot;All babies aren’t like this,&uot; she said, looking at the two newborns fast asleep.

Natchez Regional keeps at least four nurses on duty at all times &045;&045; two for labor and delivery and two for the nursery, although depending on which area is busier they help each other out.

When the babies come to the nursery, nurses have some immediate duties &045;&045; cleaning them, giving them a thorough physical and putting them under a warmer for several hours. When it’s feeding time, the nurses either take them to the mother, if she’s able, or the nurses feed them.

After that, it’s feeding every four hours and checking vital signs every hour.

Babies usually stay no more than two days. But that doesn’t mean the nurses don’t get somewhat attached to their tiny charges &045;&045; or to their moms, either.

Last week the hospital sent a premature baby home at 35 days &045;&045; and Hamilton had grown attached to her.

&uot;I told her mother, ‘She thinks I’m her mom,’&uot; Hamilton said.

Lindsey has worked in labor and delivery for 17 years and has seen the birthing process evolve from having fathers in the waiting room to whole families in the delivery room.

&uot;It’s more family-oriented now,&uot; she said.

The nurses are among the first to encounter the newborns’ personalities.

&uot;Some come out screaming, and some are very passive,&uot; Lindsey said. &uot;They’re just like little adults.&uot;

Teaching new mothers how to care for their babies is also an adventure.

&uot;Every day you give a crash course,&uot; Hamilton said.

&uot;With a different twist,&uot; RN Margaret Stutzman said. &uot;You never know what someone’s going to throw at you.&uot;

Still, the nurses enjoy working in what Lindsey calls &uot;a happy place.&uot;

&uot;It’s just a miracle every time it happens,&uot; Lindsey said.