Arm Restaints During C-Section?

sammyslick

Has anyone requested their arms not be restrained during their C-Section? I'm on the fence about this and I know it is part of the hospital procedure where I will be delivering.

mommygipp2

I have had 2 c-sec's and my arms were restrained during both. My first was an emergency, so i didn't really think anything of it. My second one was scheduled, when I asked, they told me it was procedure at my hospital as well. It's really not as big of a deal as it seems. Your baby's daddy will be able to eb right there with you and will be able to hold the baby for you as soon as it's born. No worries!! Hope that helps some, Good luck!!

mlf625

mommygipp2:

It's really not as big of a deal as it seems.

Ditto that.  In fact, I had no idea my arms were even restrained during my c/s with DS until this convo came up on these boards and I went back to check my pics from the OR.  Sure enough, they were strapped down, and I didn't have any recollection of that.  I remember his birth very clearly so I guess there was just so much adrenaline and excitement that I didn't have time to dwell on the arm restraints.  They must have removed them shortly after DS came out, because my arms were free by the time they brought him up for me to kiss and hold (with DH's help).

Of course, you can request they not do it ... but if that's the way it has to be, it likely won't matter much when the time comes. 

HarrietNJMommy

I haven't. But that's because I panicked during my first c-section and am always afraid I will panic again. I was fine during the 2nd and 3rd sections.

I do think I'll ask to have my arms free this time....... 

rubycitrine

My arms were not restrained. My hospital did not require it. Many hospitals will defer to the OBs, so I would discuss and request it from your OB prior to your c-section.

biblionerd

It's not policy at my hospital, but I would ask my OB to have them loose if it was. 

tawillers

I have had 2 c/s and my arms were not restrained for either c/s.  I did ask my doctor about it during a checkup in the 3rd tri with my first child and he said they generally do not restrain.

Talk to your doctor to see what he thinks.

rzte1106

My arms were not restrained durning my c-section. I didn't know they typically did that.

jb2rn

Mine were not. I guess I don't get why..you are awake and can control your limbs.

I did get very bad shaking (common narcotic side effect) so they had to hold my legs at the end, but I don't recall my arms shaking that much. Even if they had, it wasn't as if they were in the way.

monica92603

jb2rn:

Mine were not. I guess I don't get why..you are awake and can control your limbs.

Because you could panic and start trying to rip stuff out, pull down the sheet, panic more.

One I was under general and one I asked not to have them tied down.  They were really cool and just said "don't touch anything!"  I was too focused on breathing to think of doing anything else.

RayRay007

I had an emergency c/s and my arms were not restrained. Not sure if they routinely do it for scheduled c/s's. If you aren't prone to anxiety or panic, you may want to request that your arms not be restrained. I wouldn't have liked feeling tied down and they brought the baby over to me and I could hold her.

Five_letter

I had my daughter last July. I just read your post and had completely forgotten that my arms were restrained. If you had told me that mine were (before this post) I would have argued with you that they were just laid out on a crucifix, but not restrained.

Not a big deal at all. The whole thing is over before you realize it. 

aandg

I wasn't restrained at all. It must not be a policy at my hospital.

stemms8810

Mine were for my 1st one but not for my 2nd (different hospital).  It didn't really matter either way.  Both times my baby was brought to me right by my face so I could see them.  I personally don't think it's that big if a deal in the big scheme of things.  You see your baby for a few minutes right after birth and then you are reunited with them in recovery where you can hold LO and try to feed.  I really don't think the biggest thing on your mind during surgery will be that your arms are restrained.  There is way too many other things going on to worry about that.

sbartschke

biblionerd:

It's not policy at my hospital, but I would ask my OB to have them loose if it was. 

This

harmonicbabe26

Mine were not. But I had the IV in one arm and the blood pressure collar on the other so they were out stretched anyway...

Heather2256

Mine were. But then I'm happy they were because they were shaking so bad.

MrsCali_Bride

I had to lay my arms straight out but they weren't restrained. I'd ask for them not to be restrained, if possible.

mnbmonroe

I requested to not have them with my second, and the weren't with my first which was an emergency. I can handle all the aspects of the section except being restrained. That idea freaked me out and so it was better for all of us that they didn't strap me down. 

I guess if you don't notice or the idea doesn't bother you it probably is no big deal. Also there is so much going on when you are in there it is possible you wouldn't even notice. Really sure you will be fine either way  

 Best of luck!

ghdst1

I had them restrained both c/s.  I actually asked with DS2 if I could have my arms unrestrained and they told me no.  Possible chance of me contaminating sterile field if I knocked anything over or something.

aeh72

My arms were under restraints but not tight enough that I felt strapped down, meaning while I may not have been able to get them out of the restaints, I could move them. While it was uncomfortable in a way, there was so much more going on and I was so excited that I was about to meet my baby, I really didn't pay too much attention to my arms.

Mayfaerie88

Mine were not.  I think I would've been freaked out if they had been!  I had the shakes pretty bad, but still had enough control over them.

Kie310

Mine were not. I was handed the baby after they got him cleaned up with they were still closing me.

JennV514

Mine were during the surgery, but once he was out and I started getting panicky, I asked for the restraints to be removed. They were.

mandapie

I had an emergency c/s and didn't have my arms restrained. But I was so loopy from IV pain meds that they gave me before they called the section that I'm thinking they were pretty confident I wasn't going anywhere (I know there are other reasons for them, I don't know why they didn't do it). I was also in the OR for longer than usual, and about 30min in I was given Ketamine for intense pain under my sternum and don't remember anything after that. Maybe I was restrained after that...??

katmacwv

My arms weren't restrained during either of my c/s. I didn't have to ask for it though.