Feb 14

“I’m So Nervous With All These People Watching Me.”

“I’m so nervous with all these people watching me.” – Anesthesia Resident about to place an epidural, commenting to the people in the room.

47 people dislike these words.

There are 19 comments to this post.

Dreamy had this to say, Feb 14, 2012 @ 2:48 pm (Quote)

File under: Thoughts You Should Keep to Yourself

[Reply]

Jerry had this to say, Feb 14, 2012 @ 3:17 pm (Quote)

Not to sickening of a comment, however I bet you aren’t half as uncomfortable as the woman receiving the epidural.

This kind of seems like on Friends when Rachel head buts Ross while she is in labor and he stand up and says, “You have no idea how bad that hurt.”

[Reply]

Jerry Reply:
February 14th, 2012 at 3:19 pm Jerry(Quote)

Oh, and I know that he didn’t say “uncomfortable” (he said nervous), but I count the two as the same thing.

If you don’t agree that they COULD be the related emotions then change my comment to “Not half as nervous as the woman who is about to have someone force her on her back (because of the epidural) only to then shove their hands onto (or into if you have a mean OB) her vagina.”

[Reply]

Dee had this to say, Feb 14, 2012 @ 4:18 pm (Quote)

One reason we did Bradley classes was I was absolutely terrified about the epidural. IF I’d had to have a medically indicated c-section, I could’ve dealt with it, but that was the only way someone was coming near my spine with that huge needle…so yeah, buddy, I would’ve been more nervous than you….PS: About 4 years ago, I had to have an epidural steroid in my cervical spine, and although it really helped with the pain, it hurt like the dickens (and I’d already had valium beforehand). Cannot imagine having to hold that still while in labor…although I know ladies do just fine.

[Reply]

Jessica had this to say, Feb 14, 2012 @ 5:31 pm (Quote)

Your amount of anxiety can in no way be compared to my amount of anxiety since I’m the one with the catheter in my spinal column.

[Reply]

Kristy had this to say, Feb 14, 2012 @ 5:47 pm (Quote)

Picture everyone naked…

Oh wait, the mom is already half dressed in the dorky hospital gown while everyone watches *her* go through a few dozen potentially embarrassing moments.

Nevermind… how about *you* take your clothes off and see how embarrassed you are then?

[Reply]

Kristy Reply:
February 14th, 2012 at 5:48 pm Kristy(Quote)

Correction: Strike the second ‘embarrassed’… see how *nervous* you are then.

[Reply]

Jane had this to say, Feb 14, 2012 @ 5:51 pm (Quote)

Because when you’re about to have a needle put into your spine, what you really find most reassuring is to hear how nervous the anesthesiologist is.

[Reply]

Kristy Reply:
February 14th, 2012 at 5:54 pm Kristy(Quote)

True… I couldn’t even handle my doc walking in reading the directions on the Rhogam shot while announcing “I haven’t done one of these in a long time!” (Posted here a few weeks back)

This would have had me freaked out to the point that he would *never* be able to get that needle in!

[Reply]

doulahead had this to say, Feb 14, 2012 @ 6:45 pm (Quote)

I’d be nervous too…all those people “watching” can be called upon as “witnesses.”

[Reply]

Katie had this to say, Feb 14, 2012 @ 8:33 pm (Quote)

“Then you need to get out and find someone else to do this.” -would’ve been my response! (As a side note, both of my births have been unmedicated because the idea of an epidural makes me want to vomit!)

[Reply]

Natalie had this to say, Feb 14, 2012 @ 9:01 pm (Quote)

I had a resident anesthesiologist actually puncture the dura and completely paralyze me for a critical few hours during my third birth, in 2005. (Thank goodness for pitocin and vacuums. Man once you start that cascade you sometimes need ‘em all.) My mother overheard him saying to the attending in the hall beforehand, “Oh yeah, I feel confident that I can do it now.”
But she had no idea what he was talking about. I can’t imagine lying there listening to the guy with the needle saying he felt nervous!

[Reply]

Jadzia@Toddlerisms had this to say, Feb 15, 2012 @ 4:25 am (Quote)

How confidence-inspiring! You know, I sometimes think that in stressful professional situations; for example, when I am in court.

I DO NOT SAY IT OUT LOUD, THOUGH.

[Reply]

Vy had this to say, Feb 15, 2012 @ 6:18 am (Quote)

That would have been the end of that epidural for me.

And seriously. At least you have your clothes on.

[Reply]

Sam had this to say, Feb 15, 2012 @ 3:22 pm (Quote)

“Then get out and find someone competent to take your place. I do not want a nervous nelly near my spine with a needle. I want someone who knows what they are doing. You prat.”

[Reply]

Ellen had this to say, Feb 15, 2012 @ 5:06 pm (Quote)

You mean you feel like exactly the birthing mom, surrounded by strangers in a completely unnatural environment?

Sucks to be you. Now go practice on a dummy or something.

[Reply]

Kristin had this to say, Feb 15, 2012 @ 5:51 pm (Quote)

I’m sorry, but to all the trainees in the world: I am not a guinea pig. I request that you simply observe while the doctor perform the task. If I even feel comfortable with a crowd of people looking at me at all.

I just… I dunno. I have nothing against learning, but I really have issues with being a “dummy” for students to practice on…

[Reply]

sarahp had this to say, Mar 5, 2012 @ 12:54 pm (Quote)

Oh man, I totally forgot to check this! This is mine, and to make matters worse, I’d just found out I’d lost my baby at 34 weeks, and was having a c section to deliver him, and she’d totally messed up my arterial line (which I needed due to a heart condition) previous to that after asking “where’s the rest of it” when handed the A-line kit. If I hadn’t been so freaked out by everything else, I would have said something. She messed up the epi I think 3 times before the head dude took over.

[Reply]