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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

If you needed stitches in theatre.....

27 replies

PushkinTheCat · 19/11/2019 09:28

....were your partner and baby allowed to accompany you? Am trying to decide between VBAC and ELCS, and this is a scenario I’m concerned about. Consultant midwife last week said I would have to go to theatre alone if I had a VBAC and needed repairs post-birth. I’d welcome hearing about other people’s experiences as the thought of this is quite anxiety-provoking.

OP posts:

DivGirl · 19/11/2019 09:33

DS came with me to theatre all bundled up in blankets (theatres are cold). He just slept in the corner and then we were wheeled to recovery together. That was because terminally ill ex DP had already gone home for a sleep and there was no one else to watch him. I think under normal circumstances I would have been in there alone.

Stitches themselves were fine, although it is an odd situation.

TotheletterofthelawTHELETTER · 19/11/2019 09:41

I had a 3rd degree tear during labour and had to go to theatre. I was taken on my own, baby & OH left in birthing suite.

For me, it was scary. However, I was very well looked after. The midwife who delivered baby came with me to theatre and stayed talking to me, explaining what was happening and keeping me calm.

Lj8893 · 19/11/2019 09:44

Fortunately 3rd/4th degree tears are rare so it’s not likely to be a situation you will find yourself in.
Most tears can be repaired in the birth room.
But lots of hospitals allow your partner and baby accompany you to theatre if you need to.

Saisong · 19/11/2019 09:46

I went alone for stitching, but I did get an hour of skin to skin and first feed before they wheeled me off. DP and MIL were left holding the baby. I was more annoyed about needing a spinal block after managing the whole labour and birth on g&a.

AnotherQuirkyUsername · 19/11/2019 09:47

No , DS stayed in the delivery room with OH. My mum was allowed to accompany me into the theatre to be put to sleep (I decided on this rather than a spinal block, she would have been allowed to accompany me with either) as I have a huge needle phobia (can push a 9lb7 baby out , can't get a cannula ) but was asked to leave once I was asleep.

FWIW I had spoken about this all throughout my pregnancy with the midwives and they were aware that I can literally pass out from fear so I'm not sure if this impacted their decision - they are a really lovely a team.

AnotherQuirkyUsername · 19/11/2019 09:50

Thought I'd add that I also had an hour skin to skin before being took to be stitched , it's not an instant thing IME.

Hope this helps

lumpy76 · 19/11/2019 09:57

I had a emas with my first and then forceps with my second. Wasn't taken to theatre for stitching. Mind you that was 17yrs ago and protocol may have changed.

lumpy76 · 19/11/2019 09:57

Emas = emcs - new phone and autocorrect sorry!

AutumnGlitterBall · 19/11/2019 10:26

I had a third degree tear after a waterbirth so had to wait for an hour to dry out before going to theatre. Once everything was all set up, DH and the baby were allowed in.

Gingerninja01 · 19/11/2019 10:33

I gave birth to DD in theatre with ventouse (has been taken to theatre as they were preparing to do EMCS) and OH and DD were taken into a separate room. I got to hold DD briefly before they went into another room while I had stitches.

happymrsc · 19/11/2019 10:38

Where I used to work baby would come with mum into theatre for skin to skin if you wished, dad would have to wait in the room/recovery but you'd have a midwife with you just for company, to support you with baby and documenting procedure (not too strenuous once started) so you're not alone

DieHardISaChristmasFilm · 19/11/2019 10:45

Not usually, but frankly a lot of women just fall asleep once the spinal/epidural top up is in.

Dyra · 19/11/2019 11:09

I didn't need stitches in theatre myself, but I do work in obstetric theatres. IME, the woman is always given the option of having their baby and partner present. So long as a general anaesthetic isn't required that is.

Some come alone, some bring just baby, but most bring partner and baby.

Seems like the consultant midwife has made a statement, that you'd have to go alone to theatre, but not explained why. See if they will explain the reasoning behind it at your next appointment.

PlugUgly1980 · 19/11/2019 11:47

I had stitches in theatre with a spinal block. Baby stayed in delivery room with OH. The wonderful midwife who delivered baby came to theatre with me and was so reassuring and looked after me, whilst another lovely midwife kept an eye on OH and fed him tea and toast whilst I was in theatre!

20viona · 19/11/2019 14:50

I was taken to theatre for retained placenta so my partner and daughter couldn't come. They were allowed into recovery afterwards which was lovely. My husband had given her her first bottle by the time I was repaired.

Stegosaurus1990 · 19/11/2019 14:53

My husband was in theatre with me anyway.

Original poster

PushkinTheCat · 19/11/2019 21:23

Thank you to everyone who’s responded. I’m a bit frustrated because I was due to be given a tour of the delivery unit and operating theatre but the consultant midwife said we couldn’t see the latter (but didn’t explain why).

Apparently I would have to go alone to theatre after the birth because it’s a smaller theatre - but the thought of being in any theatre, never mind alone, is really freaking me out, especially if a spinal is involved.

OP posts:

whatisheupto · 19/11/2019 21:28

Both times my stitches were done in the delivery suite by the midwife

sproutsandparsnips · 19/11/2019 21:34

I went to theatre pretty much straight away for repair because it was free. Ds and dh stayed behind and dh had tea and toast! Tbh it wasn't a big deal - it's such a rollercoaster you don't really think about it.

Original poster

PushkinTheCat · 19/11/2019 21:40

Yeah, I’m sure I’m overthinking it now but I had PTSD after my first birth and I’m just really concerned being in theatre will be massively triggering. I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for different scenarios so I don’t end up freaking out on the day. Hence not automatically planning ELCS as I’m really keen to stay out of theatre!

OP posts:

Majorcollywobble · 19/11/2019 21:40

I was DDs birth partner and as such was allowed to come to theatre whilst she was undergoing stitches after an episiotomy.
The consultant who attended and decided that she needed this procedure came into theatre and kissed her on the forehead as she lay there. Will never forget his kind words to her .

Stegosaurus1990 · 20/11/2019 09:30

I was so out of it I had no idea I was even being stitched!

Bluebelltulip · 20/11/2019 09:37

I had to go to theatre on my own to repair my 3rd degree tear. DH stayed on delivery suite with DD, I went to sleep once the spinal was in and DH said he enjoyed some time alone to bond with DD. I did skin to skin before I went down.

georgiams · 20/11/2019 11:48

I was happy to go alone midwife insisted baby and partner came with me I fell asleep after the spinal block.

Autumntoowet · 25/11/2019 08:19

I had an assisted delivery and after baby was out and he was on my chest and they were doing checks the doctor did the stitches and both baby and DH were there.

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