“I have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does Andrew say this? What does it mean?

Andrew said these words in the excitement of saving the lives of both mother and the child. Before the operation, Andrew was very sad thinking about the pain that his girlfriend has given him. When he successfully delivered the baby out, he found the baby was dead. Then he decided to cure the mother first and he does. After that, he keenly observes the baby and finds out the problem. He then immediately does the necessary treatment and brings the baby back to life. Thus, he does something real. Hence it means that till then he was in his thoughts and that moment he did something real.