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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Made to wear a mask during a c section?

44 replies

Loki01 · 22/09/2021 16:55

Hello,

just wanted to ask if anyone has been recently made to wear a mask during a c section? I am aware of the RCM guidance that says that no woman in labour should be made to wear one (natural or section) but speaking to midwives at my hospital, they said that they expect you to wear it. I have referred them to the guidance.

Wondered how everyone else's experience looked like?

OP posts:
EllaPaella · 22/09/2021 16:57

I work in a hospital and none of our patients are asked to wear masks. You will have a PCR before you go in and will be asked to isolate beforehand for a period of time as well. Usually just a few days.

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 17:13

@EllaPaella

I work in a hospital and none of our patients are asked to wear masks. You will have a PCR before you go in and will be asked to isolate beforehand for a period of time as well. Usually just a few days.
Yes, I am glad to hear that. I did have the test today. Asked the midwives and they said they were still expecting me to wear one. I seem to have a very militant hospital, we have no visiting the day you give birth or you are released, for example, it's frankly ridiculous. I could get over that but this really threw me off. I wonder what I should do. I have downloaded the guidance into my phone to show them but I am worried they will make women wear masks anyway.
OP posts:
CovidCorvid · 22/09/2021 17:20

I suppose they might argue a lscs isn’t labour. 🤷‍♀️

I had ankle surgery recently and was told if I had a spinal and was awake I had to wear a mask on the operating table. I thought that the mask would be the final straw for anxiety while being operated on so opted for a GA. if I hadn’t had to wear the mask I’d have had the spinal.

jessicakxx · 22/09/2021 17:21

Hi, do you have your PCR test at your pre-op or when do you have it? Mine is on the 8th October, when do partners have covid test?

Thanks

ReeseWitherfork · 22/09/2021 17:22

OP you can definitely ask to go to a different hospital, if it's feasible.

MissingCoffeeandWine · 22/09/2021 17:46

OP are you in the UK? I had to wear a mask during my section in Ireland - despite PCR test, double vaccination and previously having had covid!

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 18:05

@CovidCorvid

I suppose they might argue a lscs isn’t labour. 🤷‍♀️

I had ankle surgery recently and was told if I had a spinal and was awake I had to wear a mask on the operating table. I thought that the mask would be the final straw for anxiety while being operated on so opted for a GA. if I hadn’t had to wear the mask I’d have had the spinal.

No you cant. The guidance is clear.
OP posts:
latte101 · 22/09/2021 18:06

I also had to wear a mask during my caesarean.

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 18:07

@ReeseWitherfork

OP you can definitely ask to go to a different hospital, if it's feasible.
Unfortunately, my section is on Friday. I am concerned women are being made to wear a mask against an advice.
OP posts:
Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 18:08

I have downloaded the guidance but BBC published this.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57021736

It states what the guidance is and that it applies to section and natural birth.
I think other operations are different, this relates purely to a pregnancy.

OP posts:
Bananas52 · 22/09/2021 18:09

I didn’t for my csection in May

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 18:10

@MissingCoffeeandWine

OP are you in the UK? I had to wear a mask during my section in Ireland - despite PCR test, double vaccination and previously having had covid!
That is terrible. When was this? I am in UK, I am not sure if these rules are for England only tbh.
OP posts:
SunbathingDragon · 22/09/2021 18:11

Something that is guidance isn’t necessarily something that needs to be adhered to.

If your hospital expects you to wear a mask during an elcs and you don’t want to change hospitals, then I would prepare and expect to wear a mask so you aren’t anticipating anything different.

tofuschnitzel · 22/09/2021 18:12

I had a C-section in May, and I didn't need to wear a mask. I didn't need to wear one on the ward either. I was tested for covid before going in, and then during my stay as well. I haven't heard about any woman being made to wear a mask during the delivery of their baby, I think that would be highly unusual.

Cruiser123 · 22/09/2021 18:13

Just pull it down when the the section is starting , noone will notice and if they do, I bet nobody will dare to force you to put it back on or stop the c section 😁

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 18:13

@SunbathingDragon

Something that is guidance isn’t necessarily something that needs to be adhered to.

If your hospital expects you to wear a mask during an elcs and you don’t want to change hospitals, then I would prepare and expect to wear a mask so you aren’t anticipating anything different.

Not true: An NHS spokesperson said: “Guidance to hospitals has been absolutely clear that women who are giving birth are exempt from wearing a facemask, and every hospital in England should be following this.”

from
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/14/uk-women-forced-to-wear-face-masks-during-labour-charity-finds

OP posts:
Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 18:16

@Cruiser123

Just pull it down when the the section is starting , noone will notice and if they do, I bet nobody will dare to force you to put it back on or stop the c section 😁
Thank you! I called the ward and told them about the guidance and they said they wont make me. I am concerned about them asking women to wear one. I have done the test, I am double vaxxed. Its ridiculous. The RMC gave out this guidance as they believe that wearing a mask during childbirth is actually more harmfull. I am just shocked.
OP posts:
SunbathingDragon · 22/09/2021 18:20

The RMC guidance is just that, no matter what article you have found a quote from to say what should rather than what will or can be done.

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 18:22

@SunbathingDragon

The RMC guidance is just that, no matter what article you have found a quote from to say what should rather than what will or can be done.
I have the actual guidance. You can download that from RMC. Hospitals should follow that. Please stop arguing with me, I know how NHS works and don't need your comments. I asked for experience not for your opinion.
OP posts:
tofuschnitzel · 22/09/2021 19:11

It's really good that the hospital have said they won't be enforcing mask wearing. Has that allayed your fears, OP? I don't think you need to get annoyed with posters who are just trying to reassure you. We are all sharing our experiences with you, and no one has said that they have had to wear a mask, or that they have heard of that happening. People are just trying to help assuage your fears, there's no need to get annoyed.

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 19:50

@tofuschnitzel

It's really good that the hospital have said they won't be enforcing mask wearing. Has that allayed your fears, OP? I don't think you need to get annoyed with posters who are just trying to reassure you. We are all sharing our experiences with you, and no one has said that they have had to wear a mask, or that they have heard of that happening. People are just trying to help assuage your fears, there's no need to get annoyed.
It really hasnt helped tbf. I am still worried they will try to make me wear it and I am not happy they are going against the guidance in general.

The poster did not share her experience and wasn't trying to reassure me. The poster was trying to tell me I just need to get on with what the hospital says.
Also, one poster they had to wear a mask here....

OP posts:
Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 19:51

I also asked a friend who gave birth at that hospital and she was made to wear a mask. So I am understandably pretty anxious.

OP posts:
MummytoGeorgie · 22/09/2021 19:54

I had to wear one in March this year. Absolutely horrific I ended up taking it off. Muzzling you up when you're going through that is beyond me disgusting.

Thefaceofboe · 22/09/2021 20:03

I had one on Monday and didn’t have to, just my partner. I actually went to put one on out of habit really and they told me to take it off.

ReeseWitherfork · 22/09/2021 20:23

Lots of women have had to wear masks during labour over the course of the pandemic. Pregnant Then Screwed did lots of campaigning for it. I think the previous poster was just pointing out that it's guidance. Guidance doesn't have to be followed. Think... NICE guidance recommends women (who fit a certain criteria) get three rounds of IVF but the NHS don't generally provide three rounds. Guidance doesn't have to be followed. I don't think she was trying to be rude, just give you all of the information.