L&D - How long to get used to c-sections?

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Hello!  I am taking prerequisites and applying to ABSN programs, and am currently taking a break from studying to research specialities.  I am interested in being a labor & delivery nurse for many reasons, but a few nurses I know (who work in other specialities) say that observing a c-section was the only thing that ever made them feel like they would pass out.  Of course that could be unique to them, but I just wanted to see if this is common at first, and if so, how long it typically takes to get used to assisting in a c-section.  Any input is greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in L&D.

Hello! I am just one of many nurses who circulated for a c-section. I will give my 2 cents...

I will tell you the very first surgery I watched as a student nurse was a GYN surgery. It wasn't bad at all. My nursing instructors told us students to eat a good breakfast and tell the nurse you are shadowing if you feel lightheaded. I say stick to those rules and you will be fine. You will have some surgeries you've observed before you are ever circulating as a nurse. It does help set the expectations. It isn't as gory as you might think.

I circulated for c-sections many times as a L&D nurse. I never felt that I would pass out, but we all have our "things" as nurses. As a circulator, I focused on charting and getting extra supplies or instruments for the scrub nurse. I was focused on preparing the patient and getting them ready to go to PACU, or helping with the baby. You are very busy during cases with assisting and charting. If any complications arise, you are in charge of calling for extra help. Those are a few responsibilities back in the OR for obstetrics. I hope this helped! If you want, you can watch some videos of c-sections. There are quite a few on Youtube or Google.

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Specializes in L&D, Trauma, Ortho, Med/Surg.

Does the idea of circulating the surgery already bother you? I never thought that it would bother me when I was in school, and it did not, and still does not. I actually have an issue with looking at surgical and trauma photos online, but I am 100% fine in person, and I love trauma nursing. However, if you think it'll bother you already then you probably know yourself and trust that. I think exposure to it over time would probably help. As circulator, you don't really have to be all that close up to the surgical field. You can get away with minimal "looking" really, for most normal surgeries. However, you do have to be prepared for emergency needs....going to the OR after a normal lady partsl delivery, or crash sections - which can look quite different than the normal, calm, planned section. I have not really heard that most nurses have an issue in the OR. ? 

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Thank you both so much for your input!  I didn't realize the L&D nurse circulates - I don't think I would have any issue with that.  I watched a few c-section videos to see how well I could take it (of course not the same as in-person surgery).  I mostly just didn't realize how much force went into it and was mostly concerned with the comfort of the mom, I think I would feel the same in-person, but will of course see how things go when I get to that point.  I generally am not squeamish, I was just put off by the 2 nurses I know who are also not squeamish but can't deal with c-sections.  I will keep the big breakfast in mind!  Thank you again.

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Specializes in L&D, Trauma, Ortho, Med/Surg.
On 10/22/2020 at 2:44 PM, noramaye said:

Thank you both so much for your input!  I didn't realize the L&D nurse circulates - I don't think I would have any issue with that.  I watched a few c-section videos to see how well I could take it (of course not the same as in-person surgery).  I mostly just didn't realize how much force went into it and was mostly concerned with the comfort of the mom, I think I would feel the same in-person, but will of course see how things go when I get to that point.  I generally am not squeamish, I was just put off by the 2 nurses I know who are also not squeamish but can't deal with c-sections.  I will keep the big breakfast in mind!  Thank you again.

There can be more or less force.... I would say for most it isn't all that forceful. But every so often that baby is tucked deep into some narrow hips. And I would say that if you watched some online sections it's preeettty much the same as what you'll see in person. I think one thing that can help with the anxiety of the OR (or anything) is to keep yourself really busy. Whether you are asking your preceptor questions or writing stuff down - keep your brain busy. Keep asking yourself, "what can I do next? what can I do to help? what is happening now?" - keep a running dialogue in your head, and you won't think too much about being worried about anything. ? 

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Thank you so much, that is great advice! ? I'll keep it in mind.

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