To think the gynae might have said something or anything during CS.

[Cricketsong]

Had a CS a few days ago, wheeled down and gynae was already scrubbed up ready to go. He performed the section, didn’t say ‘oh baby is out’ or anything, heard him obviously ask the team for tools etc but then stitched me up washed his hands and walked out 😂

I just thought this was really impersonal and a bit strange. I know it’s not a jolly to have a chat but to not even say one word throughout the birth seems really odd.

I would say that perhaps they are used to only dealing with unconscious patients but that wouldn't be the case for most CS. It was rude of the surgeon and not acceptable.

That’s a bit miserable I would expect at least an introduction. I had one recently and the consultant and anaesthetist were super
lovely - anaesthetist in particular chatted away throughout. As others have said important thing is obviously safe delivery of baby (and care of you!) but would be nice for them to at least put you at ease.

Id just rather they do what they're doing in whatever way that let's them focus/ concentrate/ make sure they do it right. I'm not there for the convo 🤣 and it kind of suits me not to make small talk.

I had a ventouse delivery.

First the doctor complained she'd nearly made it out of the door before hearing the beep.

Then she complained about getting blood all over the trousers that she hadn't had time to change.

Then as she was stitching up she complained that I was "very sensitive down there."

Still the baby is now at university so I guess the safe delivery is all that matters!

But it's not just a random man is it? It's a surgeon, in a hospital, with other people around, and OP knows what she's there for. He's probably busy, tired, just getting things done before moving on to something else .

Was it a Mrs R? If so, she was great with us - she waved her scalpel towards my husband's nether regions after a complex CS and said 'No more babies!' I was a bit scared she'd find out we had another a couple of years later 😀

I've had two c sections, cat 3 so semi elective, first was a failed induction but no real emergency. The surgeon wasn't there when I went into theatre, I wasn't aware when she arrived initially as she didn't introduce herself. Obviously I then heard her asking for things from the team as you did. She then left without saying a word and I didn't see her again.

Although I didn't expect a conversation I thought she might have introduced herself but thought this must just be the norm, until I had my second. Absolutely lovely surgeon introduced himself and explained again why a c section was recommended this time, that he would cut out my keloid scar etc. He spoke to me before leaving the operating theatre and explained a few things (lots of internal scar tissue), he also saw me on the ward the next day to follow up. Two very different experiences. They are obviously doing a very important job requiring a great deal of concentration, but I do think it's reasonable to expect an introduction. I can't think of any other instance where (barring an emergency) it would be ok for a healthcare professional to not introduce themselves to a patient.

The thing is, surgeons’ brains do not work like most people’s - most people cannot cut up another human being cheerfully. Their brains being different is what makes them good at their job.
I’m not saying there aren’t a few that can do both, but i’m willing to bet they are rarer than those that can’t.
Do you want them to be friendly, or do you want to come out alive, infection free and neatly stitched is the basic bottom line.

I had a horrible experience with my EMCS for my oldest, can't remember the surgeon saying much but she had an awful junior doctor with her who in retrospect I wish I'd made a complaint about.

DS was an ELCS and the surgeon was wonderful, he held DS above the drape like Simba from the lion king and announced his name 🤣
He also revised my scar from the previous section to make it neater and had me come back so he could remove the stitches and check the wound himself rather than the community midwife do it, then told me off for leaving the baby with DH as he wanted to see him.

Sounds like your surgeons because manners could be improved on but if baby is well and you were otherwise well looked after don't let it dampen your experience. Congratulations on your new baby.

YABU. I would rather a surgeon did an excellent job, in silence, and just focussed. They are there to do a job, not be your BFF.

Patients always send cards, always? You know this for a fact do you?

Yeah - surgeons prefer their patients unconscious 🤣🤣

Tbf I've had fantastic experiences with paediatric surgeons who came and spoke to us afterwards and explained exactly how the surgery had gone, and gave advice for the next 4-6 weeks. I don't see why a surgeon wouldn't take one minute to at least say "that's all gone exactly as I hoped, this amount of redness and swelling is normal, here's what you should do if you notice X, Y, Z".

When I had my CS for youngest DC the surgeon didn't speak to me. I didn't care. All I wanted was a healthy baby and to be sewed up well and no infections afterwards.

Not CS. During COVID lockdown I was have a tumor removed from my breast.
Surgeon came into the room and all I saw was her eyes.
Repeat a month later for more surgery and again just her eyes.
The only words on both occasions was not spoken to me but the anethatist.

I know that sounds great - but I wouldn’t want my body to be the one any kind of record was made on. I’d rather them take their time because they had time than test their speed…!

I think her nurse and consultant wanted a card. Probably had some bad feedback to offset 🤣

2 Sections - different hospitals both lovely, chatted beforehand - anaesthetists and surgeons - and very quick!

The first time was in a Teaching Hospital so about 30 students watching with a huge sign on the opposite wall ( about yard high letters) THE PATIENT IS AWAKE. Not one of them said a word!

Once my DD was delivered, my obstetrician gave my DH a tour of my insides, until one of the other medical people told him to stop.

To be fair, DH was quite interested and isn't squeamish and we had already discovered that the obstetrician was a bit odd during my prenatal care.

I always think that the anaesthesiologist/nurse is your friend in that situations. When I’ve been in theatre with a spinal block, or that sort of anaesthetic, my relationship is with the people at the top end.

I think it's kind of essential to the job really. It is pretty hard to slice someone's flesh and grub around in their insides whilst maintaining eye contact and a cheery dialogue. Maybe some people can do it but I have always found that a level of detachment is necessary when hands on with someone (rarely necessary in my current job)

Quite. Surgical skills and the bare minimum of common courtesy are not mutually exclusive. YANBU to expect at least an introduction imo unless it's a touch and go emergency situation.

I'm still just a tiny bit disappointed they never showed me my placenta. I was intrigued to see that. 😂

I had the same consultant deliver both my babies 7 years apart. We had a good chat as I had the chance to meet with him regular, we had a laugh at times too. I'm sorry you experienced that but I had to have consultant led due to my poor health situation and I'd much have rather had no issues and limited Dr involvement. So its good everything went smooth for you and baby, so congratulations 🎊

Think I had an unusual consultant too. Rather appreciated him as he made things feel so much lighter for me. People thought he was odd who worked with him , he called himself eccentric or something.

I done remember speaking to my surgeon at all, but my anaesthetist was an angel.