dignity - scared about loss of....

[xenabelly]

Hi all

I'm due to have a c'section with baby no 2 in 5 weeks (eek!). Pregnancy has all been v straightforward and while I'm nervous about c section, am happy with the decision and ok about the operation.

However, after my 2nd birth I felt traumatised by the lack of dignity. The hospital were pretty good really and I imagine it is so much worse if you have a natural birth (had a csection) but basically I had to have a bed bath. I said I didn't want one and the nurse told me 'don't be daft, won't take long' and washed me down, including my breats and armpits. I felt like a huge lump of meat and totally violated and humiliated - it makes me want to cry just thinking about it. (she was v gentle and only lasted 2 mins). I realise this is a 'problem' I have but I am scared to death of having another bed bath.

A friend has just had a csection at the same hospital and told me that the morning after the op, the midwives take you for a shower and come in the shower room to help you and make sure you don't faint. This horrifys me!!

Help!I know I am being totally stupid and it's no big deal to the nurses or anyone else etc etc but it really is to me.

Can I tell them I don't want them to come in with me for a shower? or ask if they can wait till my husband arrives later in morning and he can come in with me? Can I refuse a bed bath?

I feel pathetic that this is my main concern when I'm having a major op and a beautiful baby (hopefully!) but am sure there must be people out there who have similar 'trivial' concerns.

xenabelly - this really isn't something you need to worry about. Just tell the staff about your concern and they will respect your wishes. You could have it written in your notes for reassurance too that your wishes are communicated.

Err, why is it necessary to have a bath so soon after labour? Its NOT. I gave birth at 6pm at a lovely midwife clinic. They helped me and my baby to bed. They didnt wash my baby until the next day, and I stayed there for 3 nights. On the second night, the midwife casually said that she didnt mind watching my baby if I wanted a shower.
They gave me some wipes to clean my private parts, but that was it.

I'm sorry Sakura, nothing personal, but that's just disgusting!

not disgusting ....my baby didn't get washed for several hours after birth, probably around 10 hours... i wanted a bath as i gave birth in the summer...very hot in the labour ward, and quite a lot of blood on my legs and on my belly from where she was placed on me.....

if you aren;t sweaty & bloody...why not get tucked up in bed with baby, if that;s what you want? or even if you are sweaty and bloody !

After my sections I had showers the next day and alone. After the vag births I had a quick bath a couple of hours later. It made me feel much better to be clean. No one washed the babies ever. I waited 'till I got home. Babies don't need washing, just top and tailing for the first week or so.

I had an em cs under GA at 6 pm. The next day, I was still in the bloodstained nightie, which was absolutely caked and dried with blood from theatre. A night nurse might have sponged me below but I was too out of it to notice or protest. Nobody mentioned a bath, except that I should take my dressing out on day 2/3 in the shower.

I was asked if I wanted a bath with ds1,at 3.30am(!!) after 24 hrs in labour, no food and nothing but sips of water, i was blody exhausted and no one was going to make me go in the bath till Id had a good sleep!

Have never had a c-section or a bed bath but I would do what is right for you - you are perfectly entitled to refuse a bed bath.
(FWIW In our hospital the c-section ladies were told to shower the morning after their op, after the catheter etc has been removed. But they were not forced to the shower ASAP - there weren't enough staff for that!)

Hi,
I dindt get a bath till 24 hours after dd was born and no one came to remove my catheter either or change the filthy sheets I was lying in-it was Boxing day last year and I think they were understaffed.I was really upset by it as I was desperate to be clean and felt really ignored..And now I think about it and it makes my blood boil really as its bit gross to be left in your own muck all that time..
On the flip side no one can make you have a bed bath or whatever-but I felt so vulnerable after birth that I would have done whatever I was told wether id liked it or not and if you get a bit of a brusque m/w it can be a bit scary..sympathy to the OP..You will have to be as brave as you cna and say no to the bed bath when they come round!