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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Theatre wardrobe for elective

16 replies

redzuleika · 14/03/2008 13:04

What does one wear for an elective Caesarean...?? I had an emergency one last time, so went in wearing a big t-shirt (they obviously removed my enormous floaty trousers).

I've looked at previous threads and they suggest that you put on a hospital gown, but they presumably all do up at the back, which is not much use if you want skin to skin as soon as possible after delivery.

Last time, I was too exhausted to trust myself to hold the baby while they were stitching me up, but did breastfeed in the recovery room. Obviously I don't know how I'm going to feel this time, but don't want to reduce my options. A hospital gown just seems a bit dated and inappropriate for what is after all a birth, rather than just a surgical procedure.

Thanks.

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VictorianSqualor · 14/03/2008 13:10

I think if you want the skin-to-skn you can ask for the gown to be tied the other way.
Just have a word with the surgeon beforehand.
I had an el cs and wore a hospital gown but I remember feeding in recovery, maybe they just pulled it to one side? I'm really not sure.

Smurfs · 14/03/2008 13:14

painted toenails and a bikini wax were my wardrobe selections prior to my 2 electives

MrsBoo · 14/03/2008 13:15

Check with the hospital. I wasn't prepared to have to walk to the theatre, and hadn't brought slippers (dont own any) or anything. So had to walk in hospital gown, and outdoor sandals!
Was OK for the skin-to-skin thing, sure they are big baggy things anyway.
Good luck, my el cs was fantastic!!

VictorianSqualor · 14/03/2008 13:16

Painted toenails?
I thought nail varnish was not allowed as they need to be able to see your nails?

Original poster

redzuleika · 14/03/2008 13:17

The wax I fully understand, but aren't painted nails verboten in surgery...?? I'm sure the leaflet they've given me expressly precludes a full manicure and pedicure.

If you do the gown up at the front, isn't your bump hanging out with all your bits...?

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Swedes · 14/03/2008 13:21

If you are having an epidural or spinal they normally put the gown on with the slit at the back to give easy access to the anaesthetist. The gown is offered merely for your benefit - for modesty and warmth I suppose. I'm sure you can be enitirely naked under a sheet if you want to be.

Moomin · 14/03/2008 13:23

Wasn't allowed painted toenails and they did the old ladygarden tidy-up as I was lying on the table. They really aren't that interested in whether you've got a precise 'runway' or not.

Had to wear theatre gown as I remember it being open at the back for the spinal but somehow also managed some skin contact after both births - can't really remember how that worked - was so blissed out on morphine I really didn't give a monkeys. Maybe it was pushed up round my neck?!

Original poster

redzuleika · 14/03/2008 13:23

I have heard of someone delivering into their tights. Can only assume labour was moving along quickly.

I don't think I want to get naked... just get my tits out (as it were).

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Smurfs · 14/03/2008 13:24

I was allowed them as they monitored my blood saturation ??...I think thats what they were doing through my finger nails didn't need to do both.....and they did look oh so pretty With the waxing I wanted to get the sacr as straight as possible!

PortAndLemon · 14/03/2008 13:25

You can have clear nailpolish, I think.

Smurfs · 14/03/2008 13:25

scar....of course

Swedes · 14/03/2008 13:32

Why don't you take the Peek-a-boo surgical gown to the Dragons' Den? It might be useful in both hospitals and sex shops; we could all use a break from the nurse's outfit.

LiegeAndLief · 14/03/2008 13:34

I had a hospital gown done up at the back, then went down to theatre with another one over the top worn the other way round to protect what little remained of my modesty. Maybe you could do the same but the other way round? Although the gowns are very baggy and I assume they lift them up over your bump anyway to do the op, should think you could easily move it for skin to skin.

pollyblue · 14/03/2008 15:28

I was given a hospital gown - done up down the back (if it's elective and you'll be walking to theatre you might want a robe to put on to protect your modesty in the corridors....!)and the nurse untied the top ties in recovery, so it could be pulled low-ish on my chest for skin-to-skin.

carolcupcake · 14/03/2008 15:36

Hi, I had a section last time and they used my gown to make the "screen" between me and the surgery bit. That must have been a lovely sight for my fiance walking into theatre and seeing that!!
In recovery they put me into my own nightie and put the baby underneath.
I'm having an elective this time too.

Original poster

redzuleika · 22/03/2008 21:35

Resurrecting this thread...

Thanks for replies. Have been on holiday - mulling over a pre-elective bikini wax.

How long before the operation did you have this done, if you didn't go down the Bic route? I would be waxing over an old (well-healed, non-problematic) scar, but I assume that's not a problem for the salon (given that so many women end up with sections these days).

Had to laugh at the Peek-a-boo surgical gown... although the juxtapositioning of eroticism and surgery rather gives me a shudder.

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