Elective c section embarrassing?

[ShSt]

Hi there really anxious about posting so any replies I will be really grateful for

Due to stuff in the past I'm really anxious about my body

I'm due an elective c section in a few weeks and have just moved and found out all of the drs and anethesiests are men but am too embarrassed to bring any of this up and ask for women (I know I should but I cant)

I was wondering

1)who puts the catheter in (midwife or the dr/surgeon),
2)where its put in (as in in a side room or in front of everyone),
3)whether you're completely bottom half naked in front of loads of strangers throughout the process,
4) if its put in before or after the anesthetic

Thanks

[trunumber]

I think the answers might possible vary according to which hospital you are in.

Mine was an emergency c section, but not an urgent one (baby was fine, I just wasn't dilating) Everything happened in one room - with everyone there, doctors, midwives, husband, students, etc

I think I was wearing a nightie but yes I was naked from the bottom half, I don't see how you can't be to be honest, they need to access that whole area.

[Screwcorona]

For me, my catheter was put in by a nurse. Did happen to be female.
Yes naked and all in the same room.
Can you ask for a cover for your legs and bits once catheter is sorted? Would that help you feel more comfortable? They will have seen so many peoples bodies they absolutely wont be judging what you look like

[blibblibs]

Mine were both a good few years ago but yes your naked from chest down. I had a hospital gown on that was just moved as required. Regarding the catheter, it was just there afterwards so I presume it was done at the same time. Spinal block was done in the operating room as well and hospital gown came in handy for that to.
They really have seen it all before but please do speak to someone before to put your mind at ease and DH was with me throughout so hopefully covid isn't preventing you having someone with you.

[PastMyBestBeforeDate]

I couldn't tell you. Mine must have gone in after the spinal block in theatre because I was totally unaware it happened. I had a gown on.

[NemoRocksMyWorld]

Hey,

I work at the hospital I had sections in, so I asked alot of these questions! Midwife puts catheter in. It usually happens in theatre after the spinal is in. I spoke to the midwife prior to the section at preassessment and she offered to put it in in private first. However.. I preferred to be numb for that particular procedure! The lovely midwife cleared the theatre of every unnecessary person before doing it though and did everything very sensitively.

Good luck!

[Whysotired]

1. A nurse did this
   

2. Was put in on the operating table
3. I think I was naked, tbh I didn’t care once the anesthetic kicked in
4. Was put in after this.

Honestly I wouldn’t worry if they are all men. Doctors/nurses will see this everyday. They won’t be looking at your body as you see it but as there job. There job is to get that baby out safely and to ensure your safe. Speak to your midwife if your worried. Good luck OP xx

[Bellabelloo]

I never felt horribly exposed. I had a gown on and they put a a screen up for 'down below'. I don't think it's as exposing as natural childbirth.

[elliejjtiny]

I had my elective section nearly 8 years ago now so might be out of date but here is my experience
1)who puts the catheter in (midwife or the dr/surgeon), - pretty sure it was the midwife but I couldn't see or feel anything down there so not 100% certain
2)where its put in (as in in a side room or in front of everyone), - in the operating theatre with the room full of people
3)whether you're completely bottom half naked in front of loads of strangers throughout the process, - for the catheter yes. Once they put the spinal in, you lie down on the bed and they pull your gown right up so you are exposed from the breasts down. They clip the bottom of your gown to 2 poles beside the bed so the gown acts like a screen. You are pretty much naked while they put the catheter in and then they put a green sheet with a hole in over you so it's just the bottom of your bump to the tops of your legs that everyone can see.
4) if its put in before or after the anesthetic - spinal first, then catheter.

[Anotherdayanotherdollar]

In my local hospital a midwife or theatre nurse puts the catheter in (can be either sex obviously), after the spinal anaesthetic is given. I had a hospital gown on which was pulled up to chest height, but there was a surgical drape hanging down at chest height too so everything that I could see was covered, and I could neither see/feel the catheter being inserted. Tbh I was glad it was this way as they were all my colleagues...

[Anotherdayanotherdollar]

Oh and yes, it's in a room full of people but everyone is just concentrating on doing their own job so probably nobody will notice. I'm quite often present for cesareans but not in a catheter related role so never see/am not interested in that procedure!

[FoxtrotSkarloey]

I've had two planned sections and both followed the same drill:

Anaesthetist and anaesthetic nurse both stayed up by my head.
Once the anaesthetic was in and I was lying down and the anaesthetist was happy it had taken effect, they raised the screen and moved my gown up,
A nurse put the catheter in, the surgeons were not yet in the room.

It honestly didn't even occur to me that I was bottom half naked because you can't feel anything apart from a bit of pressure which is all on your tummy.

Good luck

[SleepingStandingUp]

1)who puts the catheter in - I have no idea but it's more likely to be midwife / nurse
2)where its put in - in theatre
3)whether you're completely bottom half naked in front of loads of strangers throughout the process - I was pantless in a hospital gown but they do put sheets over you
4) if its put in before or after the anesthetic - after.

Incidentally it was removed in my room by a nurse

[Quit4me]

For me with my elective:
Nurse put catheter in after spinal.
They also have to shave you a bit down there (well they did for me anyway)
I was in a gown so yes that will have been pulled up and naked bottom half.
The screen was up so you can’t see anything and because your numb you can’t feel anything either.
Didn’t feel it going in really.
You don’t feel like you are naked because you can’t feel anything.
Please don’t worry, they really won’t be thinking about your nakedness or body, just thinking about the baby and how to deliver him or her safely.
I know that’s easy to say but it really it true

[Quit4me]

Forgot to say, they put the catheter in when you are laying in the operating table.
Feels very strange laying yourself down on the operating table. Really weird