Q for ladies who have had a scheduled c section

caz_mama · December 2013

I'm a sort of lurker. I posted an intro a little while back and I have been moderately active since.

Here's my question. I was explaining to a coworker today that my doc scheduled me for a c section on jan 8th due to a breech. She told me that when she had her daughter (emergency c section) that they liked tied her arms down to the bed in the OR. Does anyone know if this is a normal thing during a c section? This is really freaking me out. I am already a little nervous as this would be my first time ever having surgery and the idea of being not only conscious but also physically restrained is really messing with my with my calm.

caz_mama · December 2013

@jessicabcairns her daughter is 1 today. Glad to hear your experience was different! The thought of it makes me really uneasy.

chelle_chelle5487@hotmail.com · December 2013

I had my daughter 2 years ago and my arms were straight out. They didn't tie them down but they did lay something "heavy" over them to keep me from moving them. It wasn't scary just kinda weird.

erika_sue · December 2013

I had one emergency c/s and one unplanned c/s in two different hospitals. During neither of them was I restrained.

LadyJ2949 · December 2013

I also have a c-section planned for January 8th and it is my first baby. I have had abdominal surgery before but I was not awake for it so I can sympathize with how you're feeling. The thought of being awake during it all does freak me out a little, too.

To ease my concerns, I took a c-section class to learn more about what happens. In my hospital, they do restrain your arms during the surgery and until after the baby is born. I asked why and she said it is because you could get excited in the moment and accidentally place your hands down on your abdomen, causing issues during the surgery, etc.

To ease your mind, they told me that it takes them five minutes from the time they make the first incision to the time your baby is born. They show you the baby and while they are still working you are distracted because you are ogling your little cutie for a few minutes. Once things are back in order they will then release your arms so you can hold your LO. It may or may not be different at other hospitals. I hope this helps!

ETA: words are hard.

buckeyebride22 · December 2013

At our hospital your arms are strapped with a velcro strap. It depends on the anesthesiologist.

Jackapatamus · December 2013

My arms were out on a board, and secured with Velcro.

caz_mama · December 2013

chelle_chelle5487@hotmail.com That sounds way better than being tied down! i'd much rather have that.

caz_mama · December 2013

erika_sue good to hear! I'm glad that there is a chance I won't have to go through this.

ang.ela23 · December 2013

Jackapatamus said:

My arms were out on a board, and secured with Velcro.

caz_mama · December 2013

LadyJ2949 said:

I also have a c-section planned for January 8th and it is my first baby. I have had abdominal surgery before but I was not awake for it so I can sympathize with how you're feeling. The thought of being awake during it all does freak me out a little, too.

To ease my concerns, I took a c-section class to learn more about what happens. In my hospital, they do restrain your arms during the surgery and until after the baby is born. I asked why and she said it is because you could get excited in the moment and accidentally place your hands down on your abdomen, causing issues during the surgery, etc.

To ease your mind, they told me that it takes them five minutes from the time they make the first incision to the time your baby is born. They show you the baby and while they are still working you are distracted because you are ogling your little cutie for a few minutes. Once things are back in order they will then release your arms so you can hold your LO. It may or may not be different at other hospitals. I hope this helps!

ETA: words are hard.

Hey! Birthday buddies!

The idea of being awake freaks me out. It's not that I would want to be unconscious. I definitely want to be awake and experience his birth. Having surgery in general weirds me out and now I'm going to awake for my first ever. In my head I picture them talking all medical to each other like they do in TVs show while I stare at a sheet and wonder what's going on down there. Just makes me feel out of control of the situation. The idea of being restrained just compounds that for me. I'll have to call the hospital in the morning and ask them what their policy is. At least then I will know what I'm in for. Thanks

caz_mama · December 2013

buckeyebride22 said:

At our hospital your arms are strapped with a velcro strap. It depends on the anesthesiologist.

Yikes. Did it make you uncomfortable or was there just too much going on for you to be bothered by it?

jnevin123 · December 2013

In all honesty I have no clue if my arms were strapped down or not. I'm willing to bet that when you're in the OR you won't be worried about it! Also, I wouldn't be too worried about the medical jargon- we had a lighthearted conversation with anesthesia and my docs throughout the procedure. They would occasionally ask for a piece of equipment but then jump back into the conversation!

caz_mama · December 2013

jnevin123 said:

In all honesty I have no clue if my arms were strapped down or not. I'm willing to bet that when you're in the OR you won't be worried about it! Also, I wouldn't be too worried about the medical jargon- we had a lighthearted conversation with anesthesia and my docs throughout the procedure. They would occasionally ask for a piece of equipment but then jump back into the conversation!

I am definitely hoping that if they are strapped down I will be too distracted to let it freak me out too much. Hopefully my guys are like yours and talk to us during the procedure. That sounds much more pleasant than what I've been picturing in my head. Thanks

Tcbrannon222 · December 2013

I have had 2 c/sections and I was not strapped down either time. There was a board they asked me to keep the arm with the Iv on but never strapped it down.

caz_mama · December 2013

esd said:

I've had 2 c/s and I wasn't restrained during either one. This is one thing I discussed with my dr before my c/s. I also think it depends on hospital policy.

I'm definitely going to add this to my list of things to talk my doc about the next time I see him. Thanks

CopperT0p · December 2013

With DS, they gave me the spinal then I laid down and put my arms out on the boards. They weren't going to strap them down, but then when the doc pinched me to check if the spinal took and I shouted "ouch!" they figured out it hadn't taken at all. The anesthesiologist then said he would have to strap my arms down since I was going to have to go under general anesthesia.

Had I been awake, no strap, but since I was going to be out cold they had to strap me down just in case I jolted.

caz_mama · December 2013

CopperT0p said:

With DS, they gave me the spinal then I laid down and put my arms out on the boards. They weren't going to strap them down, but then when the doc pinched me to check if the spinal took and I shouted "ouch!" they figured out it hadn't taken at all. The anesthesiologist then said he would have to strap my arms down since I was going to have to go under general anesthesia.

Had I been awake, no strap, but since I was going to be out cold they had to strap me down just in case I jolted.

That's interesting. I hadn't thought about that. Thanks

caz_mama · December 2013

Thanks so much ladies! I feel better knowing there is a chance I won't have to do this. I'm looking forward to talking to my doc and my hospital to figure out the policies so I know what is going to happen. Thanks again for all of your help!

cnwilbur1030 · December 2013

I was velcroed down with DD. I really didn't notice. But after 18 hrs of labor and 2 hrs of pushing, I would have let them string me up by my feet to get her out!

caz_mama · December 2013

charmingthemoon said:
Good to know about this. I will have to ask my doc. Kinda freaks me out that this is a possibility!

Yea that's exactly how I feel. It never would have occurred to me they would tie my arms down until this woman mentioned it to me. I really hope my doctor and hospital tell me that this isn't the case. Fingers crossed that neither of us have to!

aessary03 · December 2013

I've had 2 emergency c/s' s and I have never been restrained.

pejay · December 2013

I was not restrained with my c/s. My arms were out to either side and honestly I didn't even think about it. Previous posters are correct ~ it is actually a fast procedure and you will see your baby within a few minutes of starting the procedure and forget about everything else. There was no medical convo during mine, the anesthesiologist and DH stayed up by my head and could look over the sheet so they would give me updates like "breathe" or "just another minute" etc. My Dr asked a couple times how I was doing. I didn't really respond too much or ask questions; I think I was caught up in the anticipation.

I was awake but felt nothing-one thing I will share with you is that you will honestly feel NOTHING! But it is very akward because you can feel them "tugging" or "pulling" as they get ready to pull baby out. That's when they kept telling me to breathe

Make sure someone in the room with you has a camera because pictures are definitely allowed And I don't know about your hospital but mine only let 1 person into surgery room with me.

Good Luck!

MiaMyPuggle · December 2013

I asked if my arms can remain free and they were completely fine with it.

Mommasay0 · December 2013

I think a lot of women think their arms are tied down but they are not. With the spinal you seriously can't move them or lift them. I thought I was strapped down with my first c/s asked DH and he told me I was not.

Mommasay0 · December 2013

I didn't mean for that to sound bitchy, if it did.

caz_mama · December 2013

Mommasay0 said:

I didn't mean for that to sound bitchy, if it did.

No, not at all!

Mommasay0 · December 2013

I do think they do strap down some women depending on hospital policy but I also know I was convinced I was restrained bc I couldn't move my arms, legs, really anything below my neck. So it does feel like you are restrained.

MiaMyPuggle · December 2013

Mommasay0 said:
I do think they do strap down some women depending on hospital policy but I also know I was convinced I was restrained bc I couldn't move my arms, legs, really anything below my neck. So it does feel like you are restrained.

Your spinal must have been pretty strong!! Did you have a tough time breathing? Like your chest was heavy?
An old coworker said that I'll be dealing with that, but I could breathe fine and I could move my arms. Just not my legs. They make you wiggle your toes a few hours later to make sure you get the sensation back.

am0138 · December 2013

All I know is that I will FLIP OUT if my arms are restrained!

Mommasay0 · December 2013

MiaMyPuggle said:

Mommasay0 said:
I do think they do strap down some women depending on hospital policy but I also know I was convinced I was restrained bc I couldn't move my arms, legs, really anything below my neck. So it does feel like you are restrained.
Your spinal must have been pretty strong!! Did you have a tough time breathing? Like your chest was heavy?
An old coworker said that I'll be dealing with that, but I could breathe fine and I could move my arms. Just not my legs. They make you wiggle your toes a few hours later to make sure you get the sensation back.

The spinal is pretty rough on me. I seriously can't move a muscle. And it's almost instant. And I think how well your spinal works determine if they strap you down or not. The first time I didn't have any heavy ness in my chest or difficulty breathing. The second time I thought I was going to throw up, my blood pressure dropped really low then spiked up.

Want a personalized experience?

Q for ladies who have had a scheduled c section

Re: Q for ladies who have had a scheduled c section

Choose Another Board

Search Boards