Pregnant & Fainted during Clinical Rotation

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Hi all,

I'm a 2nd year nursing student in my 3rd semester (advanced med/surg) & I'm 23 weeks pregnant with #3! We started class just last week, and had our 1st clinical shift on Thursday. Within 2 hours of being on the floor, and just doing orientation, I fainted. Luckily I was around a bunch of nurses, but I'm worried that it's going to keep happening and prevent me from continuing this semester. Our first real shift I took breaks when I could, drank water, snacked when I could, etc, but still got to the point a few times during the day where I thought I would faint again so I had to sit down.

Please tell me if anyone had similar experiences & managed to get through it! I only have 7 weeks left of the semester, and really am wanting to not have to drop out now. I already took off 1 semester between 2nd-3rd semester because I developed a PE, and will take a semester off between 3rd-4th for the baby.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I know you are not asking for medical advice, but this seems like something that should be discussed with your OB. Especially since only they can see WHY you are fainting/feeling faint. Someone else who did or didn't make it could have had a completely different pathophysiology behind what caused their fainting. The fainting could just be something minor that you may be able to power through, but it could also be something that is dangerous for you and/or your baby. I'm sure you get your regular OB care, but maybe it would be a good idea to schedule n earlier appointment with your OB to discuss this.

I haven't been pregnant in nursing school, but when I was pregnant with my first for the final month I kept getting headaches, feeling faint, and overall feeling unwell. I thought it was just last month fatigue as my body prepared for labor and delivery. Mt BP was a little wonky at my weekly appointments, but I never mentioned anything else, so my OB was not very concerned. 4 days after my due date I went to the hospital not in labor because I just didn't feel right. My BP was 142/112 and it bought me an admission to an induction (something I wanted to avoid). Lab tests came back with all kinds of lyte imbalances and possible undiagnosed pre-e that crept in at the end, but that was never confirmed because the baby was born before 24 hour urine catch and other labs could be done.

Not saying anything is wrong with you, but even something that seems minor, COULD be something more serious. Especially in pregnant women. If I were in your shoes, I completely understand the want to power through after all the work you have put in and having already taken time on, but yours and your babies health are more important than graduating 6 months sooner ( and I am not implying you would risk health in any way). GL

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Specializes in Surgery.

Hmm. I also nearly passed out but I was early on at about 8 weeks. Blood supply to you and baby are obviously well established in the 3rd tri. Any other symptoms along with feeling lightheaded? SOB? Palpitations? A little concerning with your PE history..

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You really need to consult with your OB ASAP considering your history of PE.

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Thanks for the replies! I have spoken to my obgyn, and have an appointment in a day to discuss this all further. Definitely will be getting their opinions, and if they tell me that I need to stop, I'll stop. I was just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation, even though my situation has been pretty extreme. :)

And here I am at 12:30 am working on a project for Pharm 2.

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Well, I almost passed out at 16 weeks during a rotation. I hadn't told the school I was pregnant yet. It was so embarrassing. I was helping with a c/s over the heat lamp for the baby. I have fainted enough times before in my life and usually get an aura before I pass out. I felt it coming and kept trying to hope it would go away and then finally said don't be stupid tell the nurse you have to step out. I had to sit down for quite a while before I felt better. I agree with everyone else though considering your history I would not dismiss it no matter how many replies you get having similar experiences.

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Well now i have failed the first 2 exams of the class (something that I've never done), so i feel like i'm stuck between a rock and hard place. Do I continue to push through clinicals and class & hope I can make it through clinicals and do better on the next 4 tests or give up now and count my losses?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Well now i have failed the first 2 exams of the class (something that I've never done), so i feel like i'm stuck between a rock and hard place. Do I continue to push through clinicals and class & hope I can make it through clinicals and do better on the next 4 tests or give up now and count my losses?

Maybe a medical leave of absence

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