for c-sections, why don't they let husbands into the OR until after spinal?

annaelizabethgrace · November 2011

hi ladies. i'm in the final countdown to my scheduled c-section next friday, unless my baby girls decides to flip out of the breech position (i'm not holding my breath). in talking to my doctor this week about what to expect, she said my husband will be able to sit with me in the OR after the anesthesiologist and nurses get me prepared/give me the spinal. i didn't really think about this until i got home, but does anyone know why the husband can't come in until after the spinal? it certainly doesn't seem any more invasive than the c-section procedure itself, and i would imagine a lot of women would like having their husbands there to support them through the prep. anyway, i'm not planning on trying to challenge hospital policy or anything, just curious.

tinydancingqueen · November 2011

It might be because there is limited room in the OR for everybody, and the prep nurses and Anesthesiologist need the room to work on you.

erinemcg · November 2011

For many surgeries anesthesia is the riskiest part of the surgery often an audience is not desired in the event that alternate procedures need to be explored quickly as some people randomly have bad reactions to anesthesia.

Also, in my hospital they have had a fair number of husbands pass out during this part and they don't want to have to care for him when they are worried about you!

Froggy76 · November 2011

My hospital doesn't allow anyone in the room when an epidural is being given. I guess a lot of men pass out from seeing it and they don't need the doctors' and nurses' attention taken away from what they should really be focusing on (YOU!)

JG362009 · November 2011

I'm just lurking. I asked if my husband could be in the OR when I got the spinal and they let him, but he is a doctor and they were like, "well I guess he can since he's a medical professional.".

EllasMommy2010 · November 2011

I actually find it kind of odd. I had a vaginal delivery with DD and had an epidural. DH was right there with me when they did it.

kamedio · November 2011

We just had our childbirth class today and the RN went over this scenario and said it usually is because they want to get you set up properly and there are typically a lot more people in the room getting prepared. She said this isn't always the case but sometimes it is and just to be aware. As OP has said (and our RN) it can also be because some men get squeamish at the size of the needle and they don't want you to not be the focus of their efforts bc your husband passes out etc. Hope that helped!!

LittleMonkeys3 · November 2011

It might depend on your hospital because DH was in the room both when I had an epidural with my 1st and for my spinal with my c/section with my 2nd. In fact he was holding me/supporting me while they placed it but I was leaning too much so they had to place it a second time with one of the anesthesiologists holding me in a better position. But they also didn't worry when my DH wanted to look over the curtain to see the baby being pulled out.

OurJellybean · November 2011

It has to do with room constraints and ensuring things stay sterile. Ur husband will be able to come in once your all set up and they are making the first incision pretty much. It goes fast

tartaruga · November 2011

They made my H leave the room when they gave me the epidural, which was ridiculous. They claimed it was for "sterile" reasons, but that made no sense at all given the circumstances. I highly suspect it's for liability reasons - if something goes wrong, your H is not there to witness exactly what happened. Same reason they don't allow videotaping of births in some hospitals.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · November 2011

For a c-section, they don't set up the sterile barrier until you are lying down. You can't lie down until the spinal is in. Once the drape goes up and they have the sterile area set up below where the curtain goes, he can come in. Makes sense to me.

Nichole06 · November 2011

I don't know why. When I had my epi with DS my anesthesiologist asked my mom and DH (who were in the room at that time) if they wanted to come around to my back and watch. He showed them how he did it, and explaned what it was doing. When I ended up having a c-section DH was allowed in once they had me situated on the table and preped. I would just ask the hospital just so you know. They would be able to tell you : )

getnmarried910 · November 2011

Froggy76:
My hospital doesn't allow anyone in the room when an epidural is being given. I guess a lot of men pass out from seeing it and they don't need the doctors' and nurses' attention taken away from what they should really be focusing on (YOU!)

I've never had a c-section, but my husband has been made to leave the room when I've had my epidurals.

sydsmom04 · November 2011

EllasMommy2010:
I actually find it kind of odd. I had a vaginal delivery with DD and had an epidural. DH was right there with me when they did it.

Just a lurker, but I have experienced both. I had vaginal deliveries with both DDs. The first time DH was asked to leave, the second time he was standing right next to me. Maybe it depends on the nurse?? I don't know. Good luck!

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for c-sections, why don't they let husbands into the OR until after spinal?

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