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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:
tofuschnitzel · 22/09/2021 20:33

Please correct me if I have misread your posts. You are worried about having to wear a mask, you have checked with the hospital and they have assured you that you won't need to wear a mask, but you are not happy they won't make you wear a mask because you do not think they are following the guidance. So either way you are not happy with their conduct. What outcome would you like, OP, if they have assured you you don't need to wear a mask, but that is still not satisfactory for you? As another poster has said, guidance is just that, guidance. It is not law, and each trust can decide what they want to enforce.

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 20:39

@tofuschnitzel

Please correct me if I have misread your posts. You are worried about having to wear a mask, you have checked with the hospital and they have assured you that you won't need to wear a mask, but you are not happy they won't make you wear a mask because you do not think they are following the guidance. So either way you are not happy with their conduct. What outcome would you like, OP, if they have assured you you don't need to wear a mask, but that is still not satisfactory for you? As another poster has said, guidance is just that, guidance. It is not law, and each trust can decide what they want to enforce.
No. The hospital said it was their policy that I wear a mask. I told them I cannot and they said they are sure I can speak to a Dr and agree that I won't have to. That is not the same like saying that they don't make women wear a mask as per guidance. They have not reassured me at all. I am shocked by the fact they make women to wear a mask, against the guidance. If they dont have to follow the guidance, wtf is the point? Why does the NHS spokesperson say that EVERY trust in England should follow that? I dont think every Trust can decide what they want, there is very rarely a law involved in health care.
OP posts:
ajja2021 · 22/09/2021 20:43

I had to wear a mask during mine. Generally it was okay, there was a few times where I felt anxious and overwhelmed and lowered the mask to breathe at times, wasn't ideal but I was in a bit of a state.

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 20:45

@ReeseWitherfork

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.
Thank you. She was quite forceful. Doesn't matter. I feel very strongly about this and I am prepared to walk out tbf. Hopefully, a different hospital would take me.
OP posts:
ReeseWitherfork · 22/09/2021 20:48

I dont think every Trust can decide what they want, there is very rarely a law involved in health care. Unfortunately they can, guidance isn't a law.
But yes absolutely walk out if you're not happy. You can go to whatever hospital you want to. You may even be able to speak to a midwife tomorrow. You could probably even call an alternative hospital tomorrow and see if they can help.

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 20:48

@MummytoGeorgie @ajja2021
Terrible! I am sorry you had to do it! I have no issue with wearing a mask and I try to wear one in supermarkets etc for as long as I can. My DH can wear one all the time, lucky man, doesn't bother him at all. I just cant imagine wearing one during a section:(

OP posts:
Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 20:54

@ReeseWitherfork

I dont think every Trust can decide what they want, there is very rarely a law involved in health care. Unfortunately they can, guidance isn't a law. But yes absolutely walk out if you're not happy. You can go to whatever hospital you want to. You may even be able to speak to a midwife tomorrow. You could probably even call an alternative hospital tomorrow and see if they can help.
Can I? I am 39 weeks and the section is in 2 days. If I would know that I would transfer, but tbf it didn't even cross my mind that they would go against the guidance. Do you think I have the time? If I go into labour, can I just turn up at another hospital and they will do the section?
OP posts:
Scirocco · 22/09/2021 20:56

As a previous poster has said, guidance isn't legally binding - a hospital or trust or health board may decide that local factors mean they can't use a piece of guidance at a particular time (eg. if a hospital were based within an area experiencing a spike in cases of an infectious disease, they may deviate from their usual guidance and policies in order to help keep people safe and reduce the spread within that hospital and that area; or a trust may make a decision that they cannot offer a certain intervention because they lack the funding or resources).

If you are clear with your hospital that you can't wear a mask even if their local policy is to ask women to wear one during delivery, they can make contingency plans around that as you still need to receive healthcare. If it helps reassure you, you could ask for written confirmation of your exemption from any mask requirements during delivery and for written information about any places or times in which you would still be expected to wear a mask. That way you can avoid any ambiguity and just show people the written confirmation if needed.

Original poster
Loki01 · 22/09/2021 21:02

@Scirocco

Thank you, that is helpful. I am afraid it is a bit too late for me as I have the section in just over 24 hours but hopefully, someone else could do this.

OP posts:
CovidCorvid · 22/09/2021 22:32

If they try and insist don’t walk out. But equally don’t put a mask on. Stand your ground and if they get funny keep repeating that you are exempt due to pregnancy. Ask to speak to the labour ward manager if necessary. Good luck.

sarah13xx · 22/09/2021 23:02

I had a covid test 48 hours before. I wore a mask to go into the hospital and I had to wait in a bed in the recovery area before my section so I wore a mask the whole time I was in there. I walked round to theatre with it on and they took it off me on the operating table. They put it back on me as they wheeled me back round to recovery after but I took it off in the recovery bay as no other patients were in (I was last). I then didn’t have to wear one on the ward at all and only put it back on when I was going into the corridor or leaving

Kinsters · 23/09/2021 07:04

If you can't wear one you can't wear one. Wear it as long as you can but take it off when you feel you need to. Make sure your partner is aware and ready to advocate for you, they just need to repeat over and over again "sorry, she can't do that". That's exactly what a birth partner is for.

I had a d&c earlier in the year and actually forgot I had my mask on until the anaesthetist took it off to put the oxygen mask on my face. Everyone is different though.

Garman · 23/09/2021 08:32

I'm in Ireland, had a section yesterday, had to wear a mask. I'm fully vaccinated, clear covid test 2 days ago. I found it fine, I actually found the drape which was too close to my face at the start very claustrophobic but didn't even notice the mask.

Original poster
Loki01 · 23/09/2021 11:22

@CovidCorvid

That sounds like the best plan. I will try that if they insist. Thank you

OP posts:
India999 · 23/09/2021 11:38

I wore one walking down to theatre and then was told I could take it off during the section. This was 6 weeks ago. I threw up alot during the procedure so would have been hard to keep it on!!

Geamhradh · 23/09/2021 11:41

@tofuschnitzel

Please correct me if I have misread your posts. You are worried about having to wear a mask, you have checked with the hospital and they have assured you that you won't need to wear a mask, but you are not happy they won't make you wear a mask because you do not think they are following the guidance. So either way you are not happy with their conduct. What outcome would you like, OP, if they have assured you you don't need to wear a mask, but that is still not satisfactory for you? As another poster has said, guidance is just that, guidance. It is not law, and each trust can decide what they want to enforce.
This. You've resolved your doubts OP.
Original poster
Loki01 · 23/09/2021 12:19

@Geamhradh
That poster misunderstood my communication with the hospital. So no, not resolved.

OP posts:
Charliechoosecarefully · 23/09/2021 12:19

I had to wear a mask during my c section but this was in January so it may have changed

Original poster
Loki01 · 23/09/2021 12:20

@India999

I wore one walking down to theatre and then was told I could take it off during the section. This was 6 weeks ago. I threw up alot during the procedure so would have been hard to keep it on!!
Oh no, that doesn't sound pleasant!
OP posts:
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