“I went a month without being intimate with my girlfriend.” With this statement, a Cuban nursing student encapsulated the shock he experienced after witnessing a childbirth during his hospital training, in a video that has gone viral among medical students and professionals in Cuba.
The reel was shared by Leonardo Sánchez, who posts content on Instagram under the username @leonardosanshez and identifies himself as a "Future Nurse." In the video, he humorously describes the reactions his classmates had during their rotation in the obstetrics and gynecology department.
Unexpected Reactions in the Delivery Room
Sánchez explains that during these sessions, the students stay in the delivery room and witness the entire process of caring for pregnant women.
After the shift, he notes, the feedback was quite diverse.
“The girls said they would never give birth, that it was disgusting, and now they understood all the hard work women go through,” he laughs.
But, he adds, some of his male classmates were also deeply affected by the experience.
“No, man, after I left the delivery room, I couldn’t have sex with my girl for a month,” he recalls one friend confessing.
Leonardo’s reaction was immediate: “It traumatizes you.”
Then he lightens the mood with humor: “But not completely bald.”
At the end of the video, he invited other medical and nursing students to share their experiences from the same rotation.
An Outpouring of Experiences
The post sparked dozens of comments from students and professionals who said they related to the experience.
“Eyes that saw me go never saw me return,” wrote one user.
Another summed up his experience with a blunt statement: “The obstetrics rotation is the worst thing on Earth.”
One of the most notable comments came from someone claiming to be the friend Leonardo mentioned in the video.
However, not all experiences were negative.
One student stated that the rotation ended up being one of the most rewarding parts of her entire education.
“I just moved from fourth to fifth year and can’t wait to go back to the obstetrics department. Watching babies being born is the most beautiful thing in the world.”
Criticism and Debate
The video also sparked a debate about the care pregnant women receive in some Cuban hospitals.
One user claimed that what shocked her most was not the birth itself, but the way some patients were treated.
“I was traumatized. They treat women like animals, and when the baby was about to be born, I was stunned,” she wrote.
Other comments focused on academic aspects. A student corrected the content creator by pointing out that the gynecology rotation is part of a different year in the curriculum than mentioned in the video.
The profile @leonardosanshez, with about 10,000 followers, frequently shares content about the education of nursing students, hospital shifts, side jobs, and the everyday experiences of healthcare workers in Cuba.
The reel has garnered hundreds of reactions and dozens of comments. One of the most popular comments jokingly summed up the story's impact: "The best contraceptive method."
Understanding Nursing Student Experiences in Cuba
What impact did the obstetrics rotation have on Cuban nursing students?
The obstetrics rotation left a significant impact on Cuban nursing students. Many found it shocking and challenging, with some even avoiding intimacy afterwards. However, others found it to be a rewarding experience, highlighting the beauty of childbirth.
How did the video by Leonardo Sánchez influence viewers?
Leonardo Sánchez's video resonated widely, sparking a mix of humorous and serious discussions among students and professionals. It highlighted both the intense and rewarding aspects of obstetrics training, prompting many to share their personal experiences.