Do they um.. keep you covered up?

rwri10 · August 2011

I was watching a birth story show on TV and the woman giving birth was like spread eagle and bearing it all in front of like 5 people she had in the room....They showed another lady doing the same. I always thought they kept blankets/hospital cloths or whatever kind of draped over your knees- do they? I was planning on having DH and mom in the room but may be rethinking..

cszlachta · August 2011

I would say you are pretty much dangling in the wind from the waist down, but honestly...labor tosses your modesty out the window.

Matt Dvorak · August 2011

I think that you should only have people in the room who you are comfortable with seeing you down there - although I'm a FTM, seems that this will be different that a gyno exam - they need to do more down there!

iris427 · August 2011

If you don't want someone seeing your vagina, don't have them in the room when you're giving birth. It's pretty much impossible to be modest or covered up when a human being is coming out of your lady bits.

Tigerlilym15 · August 2011

It sounds so cliche, but believe me: you won't care. I was moving around quite a bit in labor. I walked, sat on a birthing stool, sat on a birthing ball, etc. For the first part I kept a sheet wrapped around my waist (I labored wearing just a bra, the gown seemed so restrictive) but there was a point where it just wasn't worth it. When it came time to push I tried many different positions... it just doesn't make sense to be covered up and by the time you get ready to push you really won't care! The only thing that matters at that point is getting the baby out.

xtencornfield · August 2011

Yeeeeah, no, you're not covered up. I agree with only having family/friends you really don't mind baring it all to in the room with you.

I had a cavalry of people in my room because DS needed to be sent down to NICU but I didn't know any of them. DH was my only personal-relation present.

Corbin30 · August 2011

In my experience, by the time I hit transition I ditched one article of clothing for each centimeter I dilated. By the time I started pushing I was stark naked, way too hot and way too in-the-moment to care at all.

If you want to be draped ask (I have seen moms do this when I worked on OB). But more than likely, you won't care. I tend to dress so modestly that I have people ask if I have some sort of religious thing going on. I don't, I just prefer to be covered up. But in labor? All bets are off!

etoyama · August 2011

Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.

chillyupnorth · August 2011

etoyama:
Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.

This, times about a bazillion. I don't even want my mom in there watching, so I can't imagine my male relatives would want to witness me being spread eagle all over the place.

christiney06 · August 2011

trust me, you'll want YH there! i can't believe that you are even thinking about not having him in the room b/c your vag. will be exposed! has he never seen it?? he can stay up by your head if he is squeamish.

Melett · August 2011

During the labor part for both of mine I was covered the whole time, I mean I had my gown on and my legs had a blanket on them I think, I was cold at times, I think during the pushing part I was mostly covered or partially I can't remember. Dh stayed at my head and couldn't see much except the baby coming out..I am pretty modest and weird tho you probably won't care much during the pushing or realize what's happening with keeping covered..

adri77 · August 2011

I was not covered up at all below the waste. And for DS#2, there were probably 7-8 med students in there watching....no one bothered to mention it or tell me who they were before hand. It was no biggie during pushing, but b/w contrax, when I realized they were there, and there I was spread eagle in stir-ups, looking around at all of their faces staring at me....umm, that was a little bit uncomfortable!!!!

FlashMeyer · August 2011

When you're in active labor and pushing you simply do not care about showing your stuff. Anyways, the doctor and nurses see it all the time so it is not a big deal.

mandyhall2882 · August 2011

etoyama:
Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.

Yes This!

Definitely only me, DH, and the medical staff will be in the delivery room.

nic326 · August 2011

You can go ahead and throw all modesty out the window during delivery. DH and our nurse were in the room. Doc didnt come in until 5 minutes before I delivered. So not too many people but still - you're not all covered up but you're in labor so being embarassed is the last thing on your mind

soulmates04 · August 2011

iris427:

If you don't want someone seeing your vagina, don't have them in the room when you're giving birth. It's pretty much impossible to be modest or covered up when a human being is coming out of your lady bits.

THIS!

SailorGray · August 2011

adri77:
I was not covered up at all below the waste. And for DS#2, there were probably 7-8 med students in there watching....no one bothered to mention it or tell me who they were before hand. It was no biggie during pushing, but b/w contrax, when I realized they were there, and there I was spread eagle in stir-ups, looking around at all of their faces staring at me....umm, that was a little bit uncomfortable!!!!

They didn't get your permission first? That's weird. We were asked if they could have one med-student in with us and I said yes. She was a really sweet girl named Alison and I was happy that DS was the first birth she saw. Plus, she got me wet rags when I needed them : )

OP, pp are right in that all modesty goes out the window once you walk into that delivery room. Since giving birth, my relationship with my H has become a little, for lack of a better word, less censored. It def brought us even closer together...haha.

TanyaKM · August 2011

christiney06:
trust me, you'll want YH there! i can't believe that you are even thinking about not having him in the room b/c your vag. will be exposed! has he never seen it?? he can stay up by your head if he is squeamish.

That was my first thought too...

lildevil968 · August 2011

You're out in the open for all to see. Honestly you won't even care when it comes to push because the end is in sight. I had my mother, MIL (at the head of the bed), and a class of 10 student nurses all watching, and I didn't give a crap.

mrsmikeyray · August 2011

I'm not looking forward to being strapped down to a table baring it all for my c/s.. but I'd rather it be that with just the hospital staff and DH in the room. Not having my mom and MIL see all there is to see by delivering vaginally.

water-fairy · August 2011

Nope, it all in the open and you won't care anyway.

water-fairy · August 2011

etoyama:
Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.

WHAT? Who wants a male (other than SO/DH) present during delivery?

water-fairy · August 2011

etoyama:
Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.

WHAT? Who wants a male (other than SO/DH) present during delivery?

JhawkCE · August 2011

My knees were as close to my chest as they could get them, there's not really any way to cover that up without forcing the Dr. to work in the dark which they tend to frown upon.

While I agree that you don't care what happens in the moment and you won't even think about it at the time, I'm a shy kind of kid and I would be completely uncomfortable afterward knowing anyone but my husband and the medical staff was there.

Our family friend was my anesthesiology. He was respectful and left the room every time they checked me and when I started pushing and I appreciated it.

emmyloustu · August 2011

During pushing I ended up ripping my gown off and just pushing in my sports bra. I honestly did not give it a second thought. Dh, my mom, my nurse and my male MW were all present.

rwri10 · August 2011

Thanks all.... I guess I have seen too many movies where the doctor is popping his head out from under blankets and just assumed. Not rethinking DH of course but maybe my mom... I'm super modest... But she is an RN at the hospital where I'm delivering so I think it'll be good for her to be there. Hopefully I won't care like everyone says and my modesty will go out the window!

Sorry if this seems silly! But thanks I know what to expect now

adri77 · August 2011

SailorGray:

adri77:
I was not covered up at all below the waste. And for DS#2, there were probably 7-8 med students in there watching....no one bothered to mention it or tell me who they were before hand. It was no biggie during pushing, but b/w contrax, when I realized they were there, and there I was spread eagle in stir-ups, looking around at all of their faces staring at me....umm, that was a little bit uncomfortable!!!!

They didn't get your permission first? That's weird. We were asked if they could have one med-student in with us and I said yes. She was a really sweet girl named Alison and I was happy that DS was the first birth she saw. Plus, she got me wet rags when I needed them : )

OP, pp are right in that all modesty goes out the window once you walk into that delivery room. Since giving birth, my relationship with my H has become a little, for lack of a better word, less censored. It def brought us even closer together...haha.

No, they did NOT ask permission first! I would have said yes, whatever....but I did complain on the eval forms they send you after you have the baby.

Corbin30 · August 2011

water-fairy:
etoyama:
Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.
WHAT? Who wants a male (other than SO/DH) present during delivery?

I have promised that if there is a male student nurse on clinicals when I go into labor, I will allow him in. Why? Because when DH did his nursing clinicals he didn't get to do anything at all. He understood, but I felt bad that he missed out on one of the coolest things in health care. So, if there is a male student, I am inviting him in. If he is professional about it, it will be fine. If not, his teachers need to know so they can throw him out! Stick out tongue

JhawkCE · August 2011

Corbin30:
water-fairy:
etoyama:
Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.
WHAT? Who wants a male (other than SO/DH) present during delivery?

I have promised that if there is a male student nurse on clinicals when I go into labor, I will allow him in. Why? Because when DH did his nursing clinicals he didn't get to do anything at all. He understood, but I felt bad that he missed out on one of the coolest things in health care. So, if there is a male student, I am inviting him in. If he is professional about it, it will be fine. If not, his teachers need to know so they can throw him out!

You're a better person than I. Both my husband and sister are physicians and my other sister is a nurse there will be no students or residents in my room and my sister also stipulates no students or residents. Of course they all agree that that their maternity rotation was their least favorite. I think my husband has blocked the whole thing out.

Corbin30 · August 2011

JhawkCE:
Corbin30:

water-fairy:
etoyama:
Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.
WHAT? Who wants a male (other than SO/DH) present during delivery?

I have promised that if there is a male student nurse on clinicals when I go into labor, I will allow him in. Why? Because when DH did his nursing clinicals he didn't get to do anything at all. He understood, but I felt bad that he missed out on one of the coolest things in health care. So, if there is a male student, I am inviting him in. If he is professional about it, it will be fine. If not, his teachers need to know so they can throw him out!

You're a better person than I. Both my husband and sister are physicians and my other sister is a nurse there will be no students or residents in my room and my sister also stipulates no students or residents. Of course they all agree that that their maternity rotation was their least favorite. I think my husband has blocked the whole thing out.

DH was a paramedic and got to "catch" four babies in the field. He loved it...but then he just loves babies. He is the biggest "baby peeker" I know, pointing them out in the mall etc.

SoDoMojo · August 2011

By the time you get that kid out you won't be able to count on one hand how many people see your bits. And you probably won't care. There's no room for modesty in the delivery room IMO.

ShawMich · August 2011

cszlachta:
I would say you are pretty much dangling in the wind from the waist down, but honestly...labor tosses your modesty out the window.

This.

Trust me, you won't be concerned about who is seeing what at that point.

cfitz16 · August 2011

I know that right now it's almost impossible to believe, but I SWEAR you won't give a crap. They don't really keep you draped all the time because you are moving around (hopefully) and trying to make yourself comfortable, so it's not really on your radar...but certainly you are in a hospital gown.

mabma80 · August 2011

When I was having DS1, the first thing the doctor told me "No modesty here." I responded, "Modesty is the last thing on my mind right now. Plus, that went out the door a while back." Smiled and continued to push.

It's only DH, myself, and the doctors/nurses in my room. But no, they don't cover you up.

CircleInTheSea · August 2011

iris427:
If you don't want someone seeing your vagina, don't have them in the room when you're giving birth. It's pretty much impossible to be modest or covered up when a human being is coming out of your lady bits.

This. Also, be prepared for the possibility that you will detest any and all clothing. I was all about being naked. I could not STAND the hospital gown. It really isn't as bad as it sounds, etc. and as many ladies have stated, when you're in labor, your modesty really does go out the window. Really. I mean that nicely & not to scare you or be snarky

bre86ann · August 2011

No they don't keep you covered but at that point you really don't care.

water-fairy · August 2011

Corbin30:
water-fairy:
etoyama:
Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.
WHAT? Who wants a male (other than SO/DH) present during delivery?

I have promised that if there is a male student nurse on clinicals when I go into labor, I will allow him in. Why? Because when DH did his nursing clinicals he didn't get to do anything at all. He understood, but I felt bad that he missed out on one of the coolest things in health care. So, if there is a male student, I am inviting him in. If he is professional about it, it will be fine. If not, his teachers need to know so they can throw him out!

I don't have a problem with medical staff being there. The pedi at DS' delivery was male and it's fine with me. I don't know him and I don't care. He works in a hospital and had seen it all before. But I do have a problem with father/brother/FIL or whatever male I know or is part of the family. Never in a million years would one of them be there while I give birth.

Aknight1986 · August 2011

I gave birth at a teaching hospital and they asked if the student nurses could watch. I was like sure why not. There was probably 15 people in the room when I gave birth. Some of the nurses were men.

varkeyr · August 2011

They do drape your legs but it is more like each leg separate(less clean up) with nothing in the middle. Trust me keeping that area private won't be an issue at that point. You will be wanting that baby out. Besides its not like they(doctors, nurses DH and Mom) haven't seen it all before.

Ritzy19 · August 2011

etoyama:
Yeah expect to be fully exposed from the waist down. This is why I find it mind boggling when people want their fathers/brothers/FILs present for the birth. I think I'd rather die, thanks.

Agreed. DH says that he's still scarred from the things he witnessed the first time around. lol