Dizzy during circumcision

sbostonRN · Apr 27, 2014

Honestly I think it's a totally normal reaction to seeing something like that for the first time. I get grossed out by certain things and need to leave or sit down. Know your limits and don't be embarrassed. Everyone has something that is a trigger.

You may never have to see another circumcision again unless you work in the nursery. I hope I never do!

RavensNation · Apr 27, 2014

My overall goal is to be somewhere in the maternity unit once I'm done school. I'm actually in the process of applying for a tech position in the nursery and it was the tech who assisted the dr so if I get that position chances are I will see it again. Everyone I asked today said they've never gotten that way in any sort of surgical environment and I'm just worried it won't go away. I got the same way watching my dad get stitches a few years back and just chalked it up to it's someone I care about and that's why it bothered me. I just don't want it to become a pattern. My instructors have informed us if we ever get a mom for a patient that is going to have a c section we will witness that as well and I would never want to end up passing out in the OR!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2014

Watching a circumcision was the only time I felt faint during nursing school.....and I watched a c section where the spinal stopped working halfway through. I think you'd just get used to it and not feel woozy like that.

Sneak a hard candy in the bathroom maybe?

Delicate Flower · Apr 27, 2014

Still trying to figure out why you considered yourself lucky to be able to watch a circumcision in the first place.

But anyway, you will get desensitized over time. After a few times, it won't bother you at all. I had some instances of wooziness during my early years of nursing, seeing relatively minor stuff. Now nothing bothers me, as long as I'm not watching something being done to me or my husband or children. I still get woozy watching a TB placement on my own arm though. Something about that bubble blowing up under my skin...

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2014

Still trying to figure out why you considered yourself lucky to be able to watch a circumcision in the first place.

Really? You don't remember getting excited to see new things in nursing school?

RavensNation · Apr 27, 2014

Still trying to figure out why you considered yourself lucky to be able to watch a circumcision in the first place.
But anyway, you will get desensitized over time. After a few times, it won't bother you at all. I had some instances of wooziness during my early years of nursing, seeing relatively minor stuff. Now nothing bothers me, as long as I'm not watching something being done to me or my husband or children. I still get woozy watching a TB placement on my own arm though. Something about that bubble blowing up under my skin...

I guess I say lucky bc I haven't really seen anything out of the ordinary on any rotation I've had so far. I want to see as much as I can while in school.

I really hope I become desensitized to this kind of thing at least a little. And I'm the same with the TB on myself, even watching them draw blood from my arm makes me a little woozy.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Apr 27, 2014

Something similar happened to me during a c-section. I actually couldn't see much, but the patient was screaming and crying which made the whole thing very gory to me. I had to walk out because I knew I was close to fainting. I'd seen a lot worse before then and I've seen a lot worse since. None of it has affected me. The mind works in mysterious ways.

I would NOT want to see a circumcision, though. I'm pretty sure that would make me ill- especially if the baby was crying.

MikeyBSN · Apr 27, 2014

It sounds like you are not cut out for that kind of nursing. A circumcision is a fairly routine and common procedure; I'm not sure why a nurse would have a problem with it. Maybe you should try something that does not involve physical illness (bloods, pain, etc.).

Delicate Flower · Apr 27, 2014

Haha, No I get it, and I still take every chance I get to see or learn something new. That comment about being "lucky" was just an attempt to slide in my own beliefs about circumcision (put down the scalpel and step away from the baby!) without being too obvious. Fail. Carry on!

calivianya, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2014

I would disagree with the poster that said maybe you're not cut out for that kind of nursing. Sometimes people get dizzy the first time they see things. If anything, I'd ask your maternity instructor if you can see another one so you can gauge how you react after you've seen it once before if you're convinced the circumcision was really the problem. The only time I ever got dizzy was the first time I saw a IJ central line inserted, for some random reason... I think it was because it was a shadowing interview, I was wearing heels, I had to stand up very, very straight (aka - locked knees) because there were a lot of people in the room, the room was very hot because the patient was hypothemic, and there was very little space for me to stand... and I had to leave. I work ICU and see them put in quite frequently now. It could have just been the circumstance that particular day. It doesn't mean you will have a problem with that procedure in the future.

Don't feel stupid, it just happens sometimes.

Racer15, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2014

I get you, Flower :) Not a fan of circumcision, ruffled quite a few feathers in my family when my nephew was circumcised and had complications. Something along the lines of "well I guess it was worth it to have a socially accepted member" lol. He's fine now but I think my sister would think twice now if she had another son.