I'm six weeks pregnant and starting to feel a little queezy periodically throughout the day. It comes and goes really and I've been trying hard not to think about it much, but once in a while the nausea starts to get more bothersome, especially if I get too warm (which is weird because I'm usually ALWAYS cold. I can deal with it ok now since I'm on a pretty slack IM rotation, but in one week I start OB (ironically), and I heard that you're in the OR almost every morning. This is my second OB rotation (but at a different hospital) so I'm familiar with the OR setup and surgeries, and starting to get really really nervous about what will happen if I start feeling sick in the OR, especially since it's easy to get overheated in those scrubs and standing on your feet in one place. I had this awful dream that I vomited right into an open belly!!!! :yikes: uuugghhhh. I'll be first assist every surgery, so it's not like I can just excuse myself and scub out! I also would really rather not tell my attendings about the pregnancy, but realize I might have to if the nausea gets worse. I can't switch the rotation, so any other ideas? I've stocked up on saltines, gingerale and ginger snaps and peppermints already. The nausea truly isn't that bad, I'm just worried that it will get worse at the most inopportune time!

If you think you really might get sick in the OR, I'd tell my attending--it's OB, right? It's better they know beforehand. I'm sure they're used to med students fainting, puking, etc. If you really don't think you'll get sick, keep it quiet and see how it goes. My experience is that ORs are freezing cold, FWIW.

My husband and I used to joke that morning sickness should be renamed "The Sickness" since it happens all day. "Oh, you have The Sickness? I'm so sorry."

If you have to step away from the table, excuse yourself and step away. A good OB can finish a c-sec with a good scrub nurse if the 1st assist has to leave.

Drugs. Seriously... if it is an issue, go medicated.

I agree. Zofran is your best friend. I would also tell the attendings ASAP, if only to avoid unannounced X-ray exposures and such.

Also, typically if any of the scrub nurses even get a whiff of queasiness they rush to your side and insist you either exit the OR or sit down. I also liked Reglan (cheaper but a little more controversial). Whatever you do, DON'T take phenergan - it is soooo sedating!

Thanks so much. I'll talk to my OB this week about getting some Zofran or Reglan in case I need it. I hope it just gets better though, but that might be too optimistic!

My OB gave me Zofran without much hesitation so that's a huge relief--although I'm still nervous about not being able to have my hard candy in the OR! That seems to be the only thing that controls the nausea.

Yea for Zofran! Just watch out for constipation if you have to take it regularly. Pop your candy in your mouth right before you scrub and don't be afraid to ask to scrub out for a break. As an OB, I would feel terrible if someone who was pregnant needed a break and didn't feel they could ask. We would definitely rather have you step out than pass out!

So far so good...two days of surgery without feeling nauseous--hoooray! (and no Zofran needed!) I've felt a million times better the past few days (knock on wood), and even though I'm THRILLED not to be feeling sick anymore, now I'm a bit paranoid that something is wrong with the pregnancy since the morning sickness just disappeared after a week. The ultrasound last week looked good though--fetal heart beat at 130 at 7 weeks. Just keeping my fingers crossed things continue to go well...