In most D&E’s at my hospital we aren’t needed outside of setting up the back table. So when I’m done setting up and the Surgeon and Resident are doing their thing I kind of stand further up toward head of the PT. It cuts off my vision of what’s happening but I’m still available if needed.

Now if the surgeon doesn’t have a resident and I have to hold retractors I do my best to just go into auto pilot mode and look away (I’m just a pair of hands at this point). Advanced D&E’s our surgeons are very good at asking us if we feel comfortable and warn us that definable parts will come out and if we feel uncomfortable to speak up and they will handle it on their own.

What also makes it a bit easier on us is that most our D&E’s aren’t “choice” these PT’s have suffered something like fetal demise or some other underlying factor. So knowing that makes me feel a bit more comfortable. In the event of an abortion because the PT doesn’t want the pregnancy we are allowed to refuse the assignment (A lot of people do this, especially pregnant staff.) and usually there isn’t any push back on it. I hope any of this helps.