Not looking forward to L&D/Neonatology rotation

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I feel like a freak. Almost everyone in my class is SOOO excited to be going into L&D and I am dreading it. I have 1 child. My pregnancy was a nightmare. Hyperemesis, preeclampsia, toxemia...delivered 6 weeks early after 37 hours of labor, baby had severe RDS (the patient advocate took a Polaroid of her with IV's sticking out of her head and gave it to me saying "so you will have something to remember her by") she stopped breathing multiple times and was clinically dead for a couple minutes. She is fine now...but it was a horrible experience. Also, I was never able to get pregnant again so I have some baby envy issues...I don't just feel ambivalent about this rotation, I feel very negatively.

Is there anybody else out there who has experienced a similar situation? How did you cope? Any advice?

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Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

I am very scared to start OB rotation! I don't have any children and I am afraid that if I see it first hand that I really will never go through with it!! This is the one rotation where I think I may pass out! Babies make me nervous, I have no clue what to do with them and feel very uncomfortable working with them! So no, you are not the only one, but you have a much better reason than I do! I am glad to hear your little one turned out ok, sounds like a very traumatic process to have had to endure.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I will be doing OB rotation too and I am very excited. You will get used to see these things. Just do your best and listen to what the instructor has to say.

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Specializes in LTC.

I start OB this year also. 7 weeks of it. I'm nervous, but I've been reading alot about it in my nclex book, so hopefully it will prepare me. I love newborns, can wait to snuggle one in my arms.

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I think this is one rotation that you either dread or can't wait to start!

I understand why you don't want to do this rotation.

You may want to speak to your clinical instructor about your personal issues. Hopefully she will be able to guide you.

I didn't feel this way about OB, but I did feel this way about my Psych rotation - I had to do clinicals at the same facility that a family member was treated, and it brought back a lot of bad memories. I handled it much better than I thought I would (although I would never want to work in that capacity)!

I hope it goes well for you, at any rate.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

OP, I too had a pregnancy much like yours (DD was born at 28 weeks..2 lbs 2 oz..and was in the NICU on a vent for 2.5 months before being transferred to the peds floor for another 5.5 months). I *thought* dreaded my OB rotation for the same reasons you have, but I have to tell you I learned a LOT from the experience. It ended up being one of my favorite rotations and I was offered a job on the unit!!

Go into it with an open mind and I honestly think you'll be surprised at how well you do. :)

PS...Personally I wouldn't tell the instructor about your fears...nothing like having a spotlight on you as a student! If, and only if, you find you're having a *really* hard time dealing, then I might mention it, but I'd have to be seriously struggling.

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