Feeling Faint in OB Surgery Clinical

[TalonLXX]

I had my first OR observation today. a c-section of twins. It was amazing. I was doing great, totally into what the Dr. and nurses were doing. I was fine though the birth and the suturing of the uterus but as the Dr. put everything back in I felt hot, sweaty, pins and needle and a need to use the restroom RIGHT THEN, I never felt ill but I felt faint and a need to go. After I did so I cooled back down and felt fine, scrubbed back in and returned to the OR with no further issues. I'm mad as hell with myself for having to leave the OR.The nurse I was shadowing was cool and tried to reassured me.

I did everything my professor told us, ate breakfast, had a cup of coffee and OJ about 2 hours prior to clinical, might not have had enough sleep but other then that I thought I was doing everything right to avoid fainting or passing out. I have another OR day for med-surg. in a month, what can I do to prevent this from happening again? Any suggestions would help.

[CDeniseGo]

When you start feeling faint, take a deep breath and tell yourself that "you're ok, it will pass" and also try to identify if something going on bothered you (find the EXACT moment when you start to feel ill) and then deal with that. You may have to immerse yourself in surgery so that you can become "immune"! Just my thoughts!

[anoon]

Hope this will help you, I know it worked for a few of my friends.

A friend of mine used to say that when she started getting faint in the OR she would pick one focal point in the room and focus directly on that spot while systematically relaxing each part of her body. I know it sounds a little weird, but she swears by it! You will catch her staring at the ceiling, counting to 10 while "loosening" herself up.

Of course you can also do what my other friend does - eat a jelly doughnut 30 seconds before scrubbing in!

Hope this helps,

Amber N

[Sarah Hay]

Did you lock your knees? Sometimes, when I see procedures done ... like starting an IV, making an incision, giving birth ... I get so DIZZY and I cannot see straight and I get cold sweats and If I don't squat or sit down FAST I'll pass out. It's hard and this only happens with the first time I see something ... any other time after that I'm fine. Anyone have a problem like this? Someone in my class recently told me that had happened to him because he locked his knees. If I feel like this again (I hope I don't!!!) I'll remember to make sure my knees aren't locked. ^^

[shrimpchips, LPN]

If you're feeling faint, squeeze your butt cheeks together!