Ever gotten woozy at a birth?

sjistarr · 02-20-2006, 04:53 PM

I attended my third birth (first waterbirth) yesterday. Everything went beautifully, perfectly, couldn't ask for better. Mom, Dad, midwife, me and then a 10lb. baby girl.

After the placenta was delivered, my ears began ringing, my vision started to fuzz like static and I began to feel nauseous. I drank some ice water, but it was getting worse. The activity in the room had increased with nurses attending to baby, dad taking pictures, so in the bustle, I quietly slipped out of the room and into a storage area to get my head together. I was gone for a total of 5 minutes, no one realized I was gone.

I had a couple of energy bars and plenty of water throughout the day, so I don't know what got into me. I'm worried, although this has never happened before. I usually feel euphoric after a birth, not woozy.

Has anyone ever had an unwelcome reaction such as this?

Sakinah

motherwise · 02-20-2006, 05:13 PM

Hmmm, how long was the birth? a couple energy bars may not be quite enough. also, sleep deprivation? I don't get woozy, but I get terrible headaches at every single birth. I think it's the emotional roller coaster, blood sugar problems, sleep deprivation sometimes, and also the chemicals used for cleaning the hospitals and the smell of the hospital really get to me. The only time I ever felt a little woozy, was at a twin birth where they did high forceps on first and breech extraction on second baby and no episiotomy-mom had 3rd degree tear. mom/dad/babies were doing great, OB asks if I want to watch her stitch up (I want to be a midwife...OB didn't even know that though). it was my first time up close and personal with such an extensive repair...i felt a little woozy so I looked away, took a couple of deep breaths, let my clinical mind set in and then finished watching. Anyway, that little anecdote is a little irrelevant since it doesn't sound like that is your problem

Just thought I'd share.

at long births, I totally get the ringing in the ears and static feeling (I feel like my whole body is 'buzzing') but I never eat enough and I think the sleep deprivation may be part of it too.

sjistarr · 02-20-2006, 06:08 PM

No, your anecdote is very relevant and I appreciate your sharing.

I got the call at 7:30AM, I was with mom for 12 hours, from 9AM to 9PM. I had my full 8 hours the night before, and there was an hour-long period where mom and dad were in shower; needed privacy. Nurses were ordering in lunch, so ate a balanced carb/protein lunch. No hospital smells; birth was at a fabulous birthing center, they're very concious of that.

I watched the very extensive repair of a 3rd degree tear during the first birth I witnessed late last year... and that was of a close relative. So I don't think I freak at the sights and sounds of birth. I'm really at a loss to what came over me.

Thanks for your insight. And best of luck with the path to midwifery!! Yesterday's birth was also my first experience working with a midwife and it was a relaxed and glorious atmosphere when compared to the hospital environment!

Sakinah

DL · 02-20-2006, 06:19 PM

It's weird.... my boys can get cut and I often become nausiated and feel like I'm going to pass out, but (so far) nothing about birth has bothered me physically. I've mentally thought "oh my"

before (watching high forceps with 4th degree repairs), but that's about it.

Kim Trower · 02-20-2006, 08:15 PM

I get blurry vision and headaches sometimes...it sucks.

motherwise · 02-20-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjistarr

No, your anecdote is very relevant and I appreciate your sharing.

I got the call at 7:30AM, I was with mom for 12 hours, from 9AM to 9PM. I had my full 8 hours the night before, and there was an hour-long period where mom and dad were in shower; needed privacy. Nurses were ordering in lunch, so ate a balanced carb/protein lunch. No hospital smells; birth was at a fabulous birthing center, they're very concious of that.

I watched the very extensive repair of a 3rd degree tear during the first birth I witnessed late last year... and that was of a close relative. So I don't think I freak at the sights and sounds of birth. I'm really at a loss to what came over me.

Thanks for your insight. And best of luck with the path to midwifery!! Yesterday's birth was also my first experience working with a midwife and it was a relaxed and glorious atmosphere when compared to the hospital environment!

Sakinah

Thanks

hmmmm, well no more rays of insight from me really

ya know, sometimes I swear those hormones rub off or something. I don't know if it's just the intense nature of what we are doing -giving of every aspect of ourselves, or whether it's just some kind of birth voodoo

1stimestar · 02-20-2006, 10:06 PM

Sometimes our adrenaline just gets a bit high is what I think. I remember worry a tad in the first c-section I attended. I peeked over the curtain a time or two before actually looking to make sure I would handle it ok. I mean, I have held in guts from a knifeing victim but this was different. Anyway, I didn't get woozy so was thankful for that. If you were well nourished, well hydrated, and well rested, I would just consider it adrenaline. Unless you are pregnant yourself? lol

sjistarr · 02-20-2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar

If you were well nourished, well hydrated, and well rested, I would just consider it adrenaline. Unless you are pregnant yourself? lol

My hubby said that if I kept hanging out with all these mommies I was gonna "catch a baby"!!! We weren't planning on taking the goalie out of the net until this summer... but I wouldn't mind...

Luv2bemommy · 02-21-2006, 12:03 AM

This is one of my worries since I've never seen a live birth other then my own 3!! I'm so glad you all are sharing, makes me feel better in case I do get sick or woozy! LOL

loveslabor · 02-21-2006, 05:12 PM

Adrenaline? Or maybe you had your knees locked somehow?

I sometimes get woozy and faint in my day to day life. Fresh air and some food suually do the trick.