Cried in the OR... Please Tell Me I’m Not Alone
Vulnerable moment: SOOO I cried in the operating room the other day...
Not because I was overwhelmed.
Not because I was exhausted or embarrassed or mad.
It was during a C-section.
I don’t even know how to explain it. It was just... beautiful. The baby, who literally seconds before had been inside her mom, was suddenly here. The whole room was silent, holding its breath, waiting for this tiny human to cry, to breathe, to do something.
And then she did.
And then I cried.
That sound meant she was okay. It meant everything had gone right. And I think something about knowing this mom had waited nine long months for this exact moment... growing a whole person, preparing to meet her for the first time... it hit me. Hard.
I was standing there in full PPE, behind my mask, tears pooling in my eyes, just completely overwhelmed by how unreal all of this is. How unreal the human body is. How lucky we are to witness it.
It wasn’t dramatic... no one even noticed. But it was one of those moments I know I’ll never forget. It reminded me exactly why I wanted to go into medicine in the first place. Not for the white coat or the credentials, but for moments like this.
It was the rawest reminder that we are made so incredibly. That our bodies move and function and grow and heal in ways we don’t even think about, until something goes wrong. And how COOL is it that a woman can literally grow a perfect human who could go on to change the world? Invent the lightbulb? Go to space? Who even knows.
And don’t get me wrong, this was NOT my first OR cry, and it will definitely not be the last.
There have been tears from being overwhelmed. Tears from messing up. Tears from trying really hard and still feeling like I missed the mark.
But there have also been tears like this. Happy ones. Grateful ones. The “I can’t believe I get to be here” kind.
So if you’ve ever cried in the OR (for any reason)... you're not the only one.
Let’s normalize the tears. Medicine is emotionalllll. But I think that's why I love it. Plus I went home and rewarded myself with a bowl of ice cream LOL
Someone please tell me I'm not the only whose cried in the OR? Any stories?
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Crying during medical procedures, especially in the OR, can happen for various reasons—joy, relief, and even overwhelming emotion. For many healthcare professionals, these tears reflect the profound connection between life and death they witness daily. Each operation, particularly life-changing ones like C-sections, carries immense significance. When a baby enters the world, it symbolizes hope, renewal, and the power of the human spirit. Understanding why such moments provoke deep feelings can lead to a greater appreciation for those in the medical field. The experience reveals the raw reality of health care, which is often masked by the clinical environment. By embracing these emotions, practitioners can foster resilience and empathy, ultimately enhancing patient care. The journey of becoming a healthcare professional often includes learning to balance emotional responses with clinical responsibilities. Sharing stories of emotional experiences can create solidarity among peers. It highlights the importance of mental well-being in such a demanding field, and the continuous need to support one another among colleagues. In addition, normalizing emotional responses like tears in the OR can contribute to a healthier workplace culture. It invites open conversations about the challenges faced while maintaining patient care. Whether it’s the selfless act of a C-section or the silence that follows a successful surgery, these moments showcase the beauty and complexity of human existence. So, to all the medical professionals out there, it's time to recognize that these emotional responses are not signs of weakness but instead testament to the deep connections we forge with our patients every day. Let's keep sharing and supporting each other.
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