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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

C section Question-Are Your Arms Strapped Down During A C Section In The UK?

114 replies

Buffyjo · 02/02/2015 18:32

I am from the USA but am at the moment in the UK. One of my friends who is also from the US but recently moved to the UK is due to have a C Section In London. And she is very worried that her arms will be restrained or strapped down to the operating table during her surgery.

Over in the USA it is standard or routine practise in a lot of American Hospitals to strap down the mothers arms to the operating table during caesarean Sections, (C Sections) that are done while the patient is awake under a Spinal or Epidural.The mums arms are actual strapped down to the arm boards on the OR table.

And my friend who has Claustrophobia is very worried about this as she does not want to her arms strapped down.

As I am not familiar with UK hospitals having only been over here for a short time I really don't know what to tell my friend. So I just want to ask is it standard practise or do they strap your arms to the OR table during C Sections in the UK hospital. And if so what can my friend do to avoid it? Can she refuse this?

OP posts:
TheTravellingLemon · 02/02/2015 18:33

Definitely not standard practice in the UK. IIRC they ask you to clasp your hands on your chest.

blacktreaclecat · 02/02/2015 18:35

Mine certainly weren't but I had lines in both hands (high risk of bleeding) so couldn't move that freely

Elllimam · 02/02/2015 18:35

My hands weren't strapped down and I've never heard it mentioned.

WidowWadman · 02/02/2015 18:37

Mine weren't, neither with EMCS nor ELCS

PooFlower · 02/02/2015 18:37

I have had two C sections and my arms were not strapped down at all, got to hold dd2 and have skin to skin about ten mins after she was born.
I have never heard of anyone having their arms strapped down In the U.K

motherinferior · 02/02/2015 18:38

I suggests she rings the NCT.

AndThisIsTrue · 02/02/2015 18:39

No that's awful why would they do that? I can't really remember but I think I had my hands on my chest but I was able to move and touch DSs face when DH held him up next to me.

motherinferior · 02/02/2015 18:39

I've never heard of it either. Whenever I've written about C-sections nobody's said anything of the kind.

StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 02/02/2015 18:40

Arms always up on mothers chest, with a big iv line in one, so anaesthetist has access.

Brandysnapper · 02/02/2015 18:41

No! What do they think you'll do with them if they're free? Confused I've had two and hands unstrapped both times, did have a needle in one though. So hopefully you can reassure your friend Smile

meglet · 02/02/2015 18:42

no! free arms during my EMCS and planned cs.

Damnautocorrect · 02/02/2015 18:44

Gosh that sounds awful, no it didn't happen on mine. I was holding OH's hand during the beginning, then when DS was out busy chatting and gesturing with mine, i had an epidural

lljkk · 02/02/2015 18:47

That sounds barbaric (strapping down arms I mean).

SardineQueen · 02/02/2015 18:52

Sounds horrendous.

I've had a EMCS and ELCS and no bits of me were strapped to anything.

If you were freaking out or something and wouldn't stay they'd sedate you or give you a GA rather than tying you down I'm sure.

SardineQueen · 02/02/2015 18:53

Stay still that should say!

It just wouldn't be NHS procedure to tie people down sounds Victorian.

SardineQueen · 02/02/2015 18:54

Do you know why they do it in the US OP? Out of interest.

MrsNutella · 02/02/2015 18:55

I came across a really sad and disturbing article about giving birth in the USA and re way mums are treated. Reading this makes me really sad.
I'll have a Google and be back in a minute.

LadyRainicorn · 02/02/2015 18:57

I had dd1 in 2007 by elective cs. My hands were free but as mentioned I had an iv. I had dd2 in 2012 (vbac) and noone said while I was deciding which to do, btw we'll strap you down. I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen but get her to ask her midwife?

SofiaAmes · 02/02/2015 18:57

No not at all. In fact they handed me my ds to hold him and I think he even started breastfeeding (he was a piggy) while they were stitching me up.

Kewrious · 02/02/2015 18:58

No. I had lines in both hands (high risk delivery with a good chance of PPH) so couldn't move them and I got the 'epidural shakes' but my hands were free.

darlingfascistbullyboy · 02/02/2015 18:59

nope never heard of that - I've had 4 sections in the UK (1 emergency 3 elective) my arms have always been free to move around.

MrsNutella · 02/02/2015 19:00

Definitely don't read the articles on the link if you're a bit sensitive. Some of the women really have been assaulted by the medical "professionals" at their births SadAngry

www.improvingbirth.org

bonzo77 · 02/02/2015 19:00

Absolutely no way!!!

SpaghettiMeatballs · 02/02/2015 19:01

So shocked that any medical practitioner in any country would think strapping a mother down during a c section was a reasonable thing to do.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 02/02/2015 19:02

Both times I was holding hands with DH through the whole thing and had the baby handed to me right away while they were dealing with the placenta and all the other business.

Strapping arms down sounds downright barbaric.