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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Am I likely to have to remove wedding rings for labour?

29 replies

preggersshock · 13/10/2012 22:08

It hadn't occurred to me until today when a friend asked me if I could get my rings off (swollen fingers!), that I might have to for labour... Guessing a natural birth I won't need to but if I need a cs is there a chance they would take them off me (cut them off?). Anyone got any experience of this?

OP posts:

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BiscuitNibbler · 13/10/2012 22:12

In my drug-addled state as I was being prepared for an EMCS I was absolutely adamant that I would not take off my jewellery as DH would not be responsible enough to look after them.

They humoured me and covered my rings and earrings with the stickiest sticky-plaster stuff I have ever encountered. Took me ages to get the sticky stuff off them.

NoodieRoodie · 13/10/2012 22:13

I'm not sure about a C section but I would doubt it.

Having worked in a Controlled Manufacturing Environment, no make up, perfume, jewellery, gowned up, etc... A single wedding band was allowed, no engagement or other rings though.

I would have thought that theatre was the same although they may want to tape over your wedding ring.

LeeCoakley · 13/10/2012 22:14

I remember being on a bed being rushed to theatre for an emergency cs and dp was running beside me shouting give me your WATCH! give me your EARRINGS! and I was bouncing up and down getting them off and throwing them to him. But in answer to your question I don't know what they would do with rings that won't come off.

PandaNot · 13/10/2012 22:17

They didn't remove mine for an emergency section but I think I left everything at home for the planned one.

Chubfuddler · 13/10/2012 22:17

I had to remove my rings for my elective c section. I think I wore them for my VB.

ChristineDaae · 13/10/2012 22:18

I got a plaster over my nose piercing i think... I'm sure they'll just cover it!

MrsShrek3 · 13/10/2012 22:21

If desperate need to do cs they'll tape them

SauvignonBlanche · 13/10/2012 22:21

Rings do not have to be removed, even for elective surgery, they would be taped over.

milkysmum · 13/10/2012 22:21

I have had two emergency c sections and with neither were I asked to remove ring

UmBongo · 13/10/2012 22:22

Wore my wedding band for both births, no-one asked me to remove them, but I was only in hospital 30 minutes before either baby arrived!

EdithWeston · 13/10/2012 22:23

They always ask you to take rings off for any form of surgery, but will tape over a plain wedding ring if you do no wish to remove it. I'd take off any rings with stones in or of a fancy design (even well before delivery, if they're likely to be stuck) and take the chance on taping for a wedding ring only.

You also need to take off all nail varnish (a bluish tinge is a sign of problems, and it is a check they use).

Chubfuddler · 13/10/2012 22:25

They told me to come in for c section without them. They would tape if I could t get them off but preferred they were off.

Original poster

preggersshock · 13/10/2012 22:25

Thanks everyone, they are staying on then! Good news, had visions of ice packs and soap and a lot of hours trying to prize them off, thank god for tape!

OP posts:

Gooseysgirl · 13/10/2012 22:26

My fingers were so swollen my rings were long gone off my fingers before the end of pregnancy! Was asked to remove other jewellery before EMCS which I gave to DH to look after.

Homebird8 · 13/10/2012 22:29

My DH took his wedding ring off and threw it across the room when I was in labour. In his defence it was because I was crushing his fingers around it during contractions and they were coming thick and fast at the end and he didn't have much time The midwife was until I laughed as he explained!

WillowB · 13/10/2012 22:52

I had a (very!) emergency section & remember trying to prise my rings off my fingers whilst having a consent form shoved in my face & my clothes pulled off. In hind sight I'd take them off and put them somewhere safe at 37 weeks. It's the last thing you want to be bothering about in labour. Nail polish is also a no no for a c section.

anongirl09 · 13/10/2012 22:56

Why do you need to take rings off for surgery? I can't think what problems they would cause..

StrawberrytallCAKE · 13/10/2012 22:57

Lucky ladies being able to keep yours on, I'm 33 weeks and have to wear mine on my necklace already

CharlieStinkySocks · 13/10/2012 22:59

Don't know if this is policy everywhere but at St Thomas' it is remove rings before surgery unless you can't remove in which case they tape them up- I was very relieved as my poor sister had her wedding and engagement ring cut off a few years ago for a section

MrsShrek3 · 13/10/2012 23:05

Anon afaik there's germ potential and also rings very easily get caught if/when the hosp staff move you during an op.

bonzo77 · 13/10/2012 23:25

I had all mine on for induction and emcs. Had to take rings off a couple of hours later as I suddenly swelled up due to the amount of fluids I was given. Just asked dh about my earrings but he couldn't remember either!

Splatt34 · 14/10/2012 07:28

Any metal has to be ideally removed or covered for surgery. main reason is that in the theatre there is a risk of burns from metal touching metsl. also they could come off & get lost.

I'd managed to get away without my fingers swelling but in labour my rings were intensly irritating so i took them off

BikeRunSki · 14/10/2012 07:41

I had mine taped over for both my emcs.

Smicha · 14/10/2012 08:05

I didn't have a section but did have to go to theatre for stitches and had to remove all jewellery and my contact lenses!! DH attached my rings to his key ring I noticed when he gave me them back I'm surprised they're not scratched to bits!

Marmiteisyummy · 14/10/2012 08:22

I work in theatres. They will just tape them but if they're already tight please consider removing them now. The swelling will just get worse to the end of pg and if you need a section and are poorly afterwards the swelling could get so bad you have to have them removed (cut off) to allow circulation to your fingers. I know it's hard to be without your rings but it's much better than the alternative.
If you're struggling to get them off then the best trick is to use lots of soap under and around the rings then remove with a turning/twisting action rather than trying to pull.
Good luck

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