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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

If you had to undress in front of someone in an emergency would you be ready?

342 replies

Roggers · 01/03/2023 10:01

Another one inspired by the emergency thread as this still mortifies me now last year I was taken to hospital unexpectedly after a car crash. I had to be topless for the ecg, and then someone helped me into a gown after. When I fake tan I usually only do my arms, legs up to the bottom of my bum cheeks, chest to nipple line and neck as that's the only bits that ever show so why would I waste time faffing doing the rest. Her face when she saw my weird tan lines was a real treat. I hadn't shaved my armpits or legs for about 4 weeks (it was winter alright) and I was also wearing the biggest, most unflattering pants you've ever seen as I'd been at the gym

Now I wonder if I should be more prepared for if something like that were to ever happen again. Although I'm sure they've seen it all and much worse before anyway so if something similar happened to you would you be embarrassed or are you always perfectly presented?

OP posts:

Bamboux · 01/03/2023 12:17

Roggers · 01/03/2023 12:15

@Bamboux fair enough. I also didn't agree with the poster who said they'd heard HCP's bitching, as I've never ever experienced that. It was another poster who agreed, so maybe you would like to call them out on that. And I've said many times that I know they didn't care what I looked like. It was me that did.

Er, it was definitely you. Here you go, as it must have slipped your mind:

Roggers · Today 11:13

@torquewench come on now that's clearly made up. Didn't you know emergency staff never notice any of these things and would never even think of commenting on it. Has this thread not taught you anythingWink

Original poster

Roggers · 01/03/2023 12:18

@Bamboux that wasn't about HCP bitching about people. It was in response to the poster saying they made a funny comment about their clothes

OP posts:

soleilblue · 01/03/2023 12:19

Bamboux · 01/03/2023 11:59

This is bollocks.

You wrote in your op

Although I'm sure they've seen it all and much worse before anywayGrin so if something similar happened to you would you be embarrassed or are you always perfectly presented?

and your thread title asks

If you had to undress in front of someone in an emergency would you be ready?

And you said yourself it was inspired by the thread about being ready for an actual emergency e.g. fire.

You're saying now it's just about your personal preference, but the entire premise of your thread is to tell other women that they should be embarrassed if they are not 'perfectly presented'.

Those are literally the only two options you gave.

You can try to pretend it was something different now you've had a lot of negative reactions, but your op is crystal clear.

Show quote history

I agree I think your OP could have been worded better if you weren't trying to make people think they had to be ready for an emergancy

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 01/03/2023 12:20

"Why do you have a "hospital bag"?

@VanGoghsDog I'm epileptic.

AngelinaFibres · 01/03/2023 12:21

When I was about 6 I drew a flower around my tummy button with permanent marker pen , because I felt like it. Had to go to the doctors. He thought it was hilarious. My mother still brings it up now and I'm 57.

Fladdermus · 01/03/2023 12:23

I am fully prepared in so much as I always have clean, undamaged underwear on. Only because when my friend was rushed to A&E she realised she had on that old pair of knickers that you only wear when you haven't done the laundry for a month. You know, the pair where the elastic is coming away from the fabric. She was in agony but all she could focus on was the fact the dr would see that her knickers were falling apart. Maybe that was a good thing, taking her mind off the pain. I dunno, but it made me go out and buy some new ones.

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 01/03/2023 12:24

OutOfThisState · 01/03/2023 10:17

I really don’t think anyone would think much of fake tan lines, no different to actual tan lines that people have depending on what clothes they were wearing when they caught the sun. And some body hair and underwear. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Its quite sad that if in a real emergency, people are thinking about what they look like or how tidy their house is, rather than solely focusing on the issue at the time. I can’t imagine that to be honest.

Sometimes you focus on small things like that. When I was in A&E with severe abdominal pain, on morphine and had decided I might die, I got very concerned about showing DH how to unlock my phone so he could check the app for the gas & electric. Hardly the most pressing issue if I was going to die imminently, but there you go.

GarveySister · 01/03/2023 12:26

After childbirth and various other hospital horrors, I have no fucks left to give.

In an emergency you’ll have to take me as you find me - clean and washed, but likely with hair legs, bushy bikini line and ugly feet unless it’s summer and I’ve been arsed to shave and get a pedicure.

I do always give my fanj a trim and shave my legs for smear tests, though. Not that they give a toss, but I feel it’s only polite .

Jellyphants · 01/03/2023 12:27

I had to chip in because I think women are socialised to internalise this stuff about their bodies being less than. Like they need preparation and adjustment before being seen by the outside world.

Reminds me of that ‘are you beach body ready’ campaign from a few years ago that rightly faced a backlash. Yes, everybody’s body is ready to hit the beach/get naked in A&E no matter what it looks like, daft tan lines and all.

Wonder if as many males out there consider whether they are ‘ready’ to strip down to their undies in an emergency situation? Doubt many give their tan lines or hairy arses a second thought.

I remember when I was a teen reading some advice in a women’s magazine which said something along the lines of ‘always wear nice knickers in case you’re in an accident. You wouldn’t want a fireman to see your old granny pants!’. At the time being so young I thought this was a fair point but now I realise it’s saying women must always look good for the benefit of other people, and feel shame if they’re caught out looking less than perfect. F that bullshit.

HarlanPepper · 01/03/2023 12:28

I am heavily tattooed - both arms, legs, backpiece etc, but when I'm fully clothed you wouldn't know, as I don't have piercings or dress in a particularly 'alternative' way. I have had healthcare staff be visibly (and audibly) surprised when I've had to strip down for hospital examinations. One consultant said 'it's always the people you least expect'! which made me laugh.

soleilblue · 01/03/2023 12:28

@Jellyphants That's exactly it - it's like the being beach body ready

Hearmeout · 01/03/2023 12:30

Bamboux · 01/03/2023 11:44

I don't think that being lectured about how I should feel shame and embarrassment about my body if I haven't had a full beauty treatment before a medical emergency is much fun.

Clearly we have different ideas of what counts as enjoyment.

Show quote history

CLEARLY.

Natsku · 01/03/2023 12:30

I don't worry about the state of my body hair or anything like that but I have a vague worry that I'd have to go to the hospital so suddenly in the middle of the night and have to go in my pyjamas so not have a bra or a jumper or anything.

Mentalpiece · 01/03/2023 12:30

They would have to take me as they find me.
Unshaven anything, big knickers and grey washed bra.
Though I would have had a shower, brushed my teeth and run a comb through my hair.

Chocolatefreak · 01/03/2023 12:32

I wasn't in an accident but admitted to hospital in the late stages of pregnancy due to pre eclampsia. Usually when being examined I would wear a sensible pair of knickers but at that time I was wearing a low cut pair well under the bump, which meant pubes sprouting over the top. While under investigation I was well scrutinised by a roomful of student medics, not my most dignified moment! Made a mental note to tidy up before d-day. Of course then all dignity was well and truly forgotten.

G874 · 01/03/2023 12:33

I was admitted to hospital when i had covid with complications, i can't remember exact time frames but i hadn't washed in at least 8 days if not more and by washed i don't just mean a bath/shower, i mean any kind of hygiene like brushing teeth, deodorant etc. The covid/complications meant i physically didn't have the energy to move, i crawled to the toilet twice a day minimum and spent the rest of the time in bed sipping water (but not too much because i couldn't face mustering up the energy to go to the loo!) I was constantly hot and cold and sweated loads so there is no possible way i didn't smell (obv I couldn't smell anything at the time)
Thankfully after a few days in hospital i could just about get enough energy to have a shower, but i dread to think what anybody who came across me before I'd had that shower must have thought at the sight/smell of me. I did have to remove my top half of clothing for tests/x-ray and i cringe at the thought of that now.

The only plus side is that if i am ever unlucky enough to need to be admitted to hospital again I'm sure I won't be able to top that! 😂

quinceh · 01/03/2023 12:34

I think the worry about being in a car crash would supersede embarrassment about what pants I was wearing.

Littlefaeries · 01/03/2023 12:34

Well I took the post as light hearted. There’s some miserable buggers on here taking everything too seriously.

Yes I would be slightly embarrassed if I was wearing old pants in an emergency or had hairy legs.
A friend of mine got burgled whilst on holiday and her main worry was that because she’d taken all her nice knickers with her the police would think she only owned old tatty knickers. 😂

Okunevo · 01/03/2023 12:35

I don't fake tan and I don't see body hair as a problem or either sex, I shower daily so nothing to get 'ready'.

Magentax · 01/03/2023 12:37

Wonder if as many males out there consider whether they are ‘ready’ to strip down to their undies in an emergency situation? Doubt many give their tan lines or hairy arses a second thought.

No they don't because men's bodies are fine as is but women's are embarrassing without some alterations.

I remember a story from a midwife on here a while back about trainee who made a note that a woman being examined was unkempt (as in a cause for concern about her welfare) and the midwife making her remove the comment. The woman just had unshaved pubes.

CornishGem1975 · 01/03/2023 12:41

In a genuine emergency I should think I wouldn't care!

Wrongsideofpennines · 01/03/2023 12:42

Recently ended up in maternity triage and needed a VE. I was not beach ready. What made it even worse was the fact I knew the blooming doctor! She did offer to send someone else in but after 3.5 hours waiting for her I just had to roll with it.

Okunevo · 01/03/2023 12:45

Dibblydoodahdah · 01/03/2023 12:47

I’ve got a bit of a thing about wearing matching pants and bra - doesn’t have to be a “set” but, for example, I can’t wear black pants with a white bra…it’s irrational and a bit ridiculous but I feel anxious if they don’t “match”….just in case…

NeonBoomerang · 01/03/2023 12:48

As someone who works in A&E I can assure you the the staff don't give a flying fuck about anything like that.

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