C section question

[Strawberryshortcake28]

Ok I might sound so naive this is my first baby and I'm 30 weeks starting to think about my birth plan

I'm seriously considering an elective c section and have been referred to the consultant to discuss

I have numerous reasons for this but my main one really is I have a fear of being so exposed The thought of having to take my underwear off and spreading my legs and having numerous people looking at me up there makes me physically sick and would be very tramatic for me for Reason I'll not go into .I know this is a natural thing but I can't help but feel anxious. I know there will also be lots of times they will need to check me down there before birth IE sweeps checking how dilated I am If I need stiches

When I mentioned this to the first consultant she was so lovely but explained I would just be as exposed during a c section and will discuss at my next appointment in two weeks now I'm worried about that

What did she mean by that do you not keep your underwear on during the c section I know it can't be avoided but I want to minimise it as much as possible possibly with the same person caring for me

Hi I had an emergency section so had already been through labour but yes you will be naked in the section with just a gown on.

Also things like sweeps and examinations are your choice - you weigh up the pros and cons to having them and you can refuse to have them. I personally have declined all sweeps in my second pregnancy and said I want to keep examinations to a minimum.

However, I understand youve experienced something traumatic, but my experience was once you're in labour you do stop caring about things. And if breastfeeding I spent much of the time post labour topless.

You'll go in to theatre wearing a hospital gown (no underwear). After the spinal you'll have a catheter inserted, which from my experience means laying there whilst they move your legs so they can get access to insert it. After that I've no idea what happens as the partition sheet is raised and they start the incision but I assume the gown is just shoved to the side.

Unfortunately there isn't much dignity but it's not your main concern when everything is going on. I'm not a huge nudity fan but I was mainly focussed on the surgery.

Once you've had the baby and are able to move, someone will also need to remove the catheter.

A c section incision is quite low down, just at your bikini line, you wouldn't be able to keep underwear on. You would have a gown on and they wouldn't expose your lower half until they have you and the operating table prepped and ready to go, so once they have the curtain up and you can't see what's going on down below (this is in my experience at least). You'd be numb from the waist down and probably not even aware that you're exposed until they tell you that you are. No one will be 'spreading your legs' as such though if that provides any comfort to know, there's no reason for them to be up there. Write down any questions you have and chat to your consultant about it.

Someone else posted a very similar thread a few weeks ago - AS for it

Sorry for your trauma. For a CS you’ll need a catheter insterted but worth discussing with your midwife for the method with the smallest audience

From what I recall, definitely no underwear and I did have a catheter inserted which was removed a few hours after surgery. They also had to shave a little bit (DH got told off as I'd asked him to make sure it was tidy as I couldn't see or eww he ) Unfortunately some degree of exposure can't be avoided, but perhaps a section will make it feel more controlled?

You would be naked from the waist down for a C section. The incision is very low and you would need to have a catheter inserted. Possibly also a pain relief suppository at the end.

For a planned section I imagine the staffing might be a bit tighter too. My EMCS was two consultants, a nurse, two midwives and the anaesthesiologist in the operating theatre.

I had an elective section 2 weeks ago.

You’re technically just as exposed but not really aware you are, if that makes sense. So in that regard it’s probably going to be much easier for you. It’s also less invasive as nothing really goes up your vagina - it’s just the catheter insertion.

They insert your catheter while you’re spinal is taking effect but there’s a screen and you’re pretty numb. Your legs are sort of in a bit of a frog leg position quite a lot do the time I think - at least they are afterwards when you can see them again.

Then they regularly check your bleeding as you have a sheet/pad under you with no underwear on for a while - but it’s more of a quick check and swap so again not invasive. After 6 hours they take your catheter out - mine was done standing up, it’s very quick and again doesn’t feel invasive.

Once that’s all done unless you’ve got complications that’s about as exposed as it gets. Honestly though there’s so much going on you don’t really think about it.

I hope that helps you make an informed choice.

Ah yes I think I was given a suppository with my first. I probably was with my second but have no idea. You probably won’t even know!

If you can, it sounds like it might be best to maybe go down the birth centre birthing pool route, home birth or even a private midwife? This would minimise the number of people. I had two C-sections, first for transverse baby and second for 11lb baby, and I personally only cared about getting the baby out as I was so uncomfortable being pregnant, but in a C-section while you're not legs up etc you are basically naked and there are up to a dozen people in there in the bright lights. You then need to be nursed and catheter removed etc as you can't feel your legs for the next several hours. Sadly there isn't much dignity in any option and the NHS is far too stretched to guarantee continuity of staff. Definitely speak to your midwife.

I've had two vaginal births and one elcs. I felt much more exposed with my elcs - you're bare from your bump down and there's loads of people around. With a vaginal birth you can wear a long loose night shirt and you may get away with very few checks if you talk to your midwives about your worries and there may only be one midwife in the room. If you give birth standing or squatting then you might be pretty covered up almost all the time. It's defiantly worth talking to your midwife about it. Good luck

I think I'd feel more exposed during a c section. Your naked down below with a catheter and there's way more people in the room than with a basic natural labour. Also you can't feel anything so aren't really aware what they are doing down there iyswim?

I requested no vaginal examinations with my labour and its certainly not routine to have a sweep- you just hear about them as overdue ladies obvs post a lot more.

Completely naked except the gown.

I am not judging your decision at all, but from you reasons I think a elcs prob isn't going to stop you feeling exposed.

There will be more people in the room. Hands in your insides, catheter changes, exposed with no feeling in lower half.

Also most normal births aren't like you see on American TV. You most likely won't be flat on your back with your legs in stirrups. Better position is "upright, forward and open". I think a lot of women give birth in a sort of tilted all fours position so hands and knees but hands much higher up.

I hated my vaginal births, much preferred the c- sections as it was much more controlled and dignified. They put up a huge screen so you cant see whats going on and you cant feel anything.

I'm considering an ELCS for my second baby in a few weeks. This issue isn't something I'd actually thought of and it sounds like I'll be much more exposed than I realised.

My first birth was a complete mess but was similar to what it seems I'd expect from an ELCS as I was in a gown due to my waters soaking my own nightwear. I had an epidural and spinal so was flat on my back, catheterised with a lot of people looking at me. There must have been almost a dozen people in that room. At least I could have the gown pulled down over my stomach though.

I don't have any advice really but as anything could happen during the birth, you just have to go with the flow of what's happening and exposure is unfortunately a given.

I work in obstetric theatres. Emergencies, but Electives are very similar.

Unfortunately it's impossible to keep your underwear on for a C-section. Not only is there the placement of the catheter, but there is also the cleaning of your bump before the drapes go up. There's also a "clean up" of your vagina afterwards to remove any accumulated clots and waters left behind. It's also to check there isn't further bleeding coming down out of the uterus. If you consent, most people also get a diclofenac suppository at the same time (have had 2 myself, do recommend).

We can put up a screen to stop you seeing the catheter going in, and the drapes are still up at the clean up and suppository stage. Any other time we keep you covered as best as possible. But for the cleaning, we need to completely expose everything below your breasts for a minute or two to allow for the cleaning, and for the solution we use to dry.

There's at least 5 people in theatre for the catheter, everyone (at least 7) for cleaning, and 6 during clean up. This isn't including you or your birth partner. Those that don't need to be down the bottom end try their best to not be down there, but will still have jobs to do inside the theatre, so can't really leave.

If it helps any, during my vaginal birth, I had minimal examinations. I can only remember 3-4 total, 2 of which were for the pessaries as I was being induced. I was covered throughout, unless moving around, until the time came for pushing, and the only people present then were the two midwives (required a second as had had diamorphine) and my two birth partners (pre-pandemic).

Have a chat with your midwife and consultant about it, and hopefully you'll be able to come up with a plan you're happy with. I'm always happy to answer questions.

@Dyra that’s so interesting, I had an EMCS and had no idea that half of that happened! Particularly the bit about them checking your vagina!

You should do an AMA

You’re very exposed with a c section. No knickers, possibly a suppository up your bottom and the bleeding afterwards is such that the midwives come round and change the pad you’re sitting on since you won’t be capable of doing it yourself.

Definitely more exposed in a c-section hun, more people in the room and bright lights pointing down at you.

@Dyra gives such an excellent explanation.

I’m a midwife and I think it’s really important women know all parts of the procedure so I make sure I explain about that the surgeon will use a swab in the vagina to ensure all blood clots are removed and also about the diclofenac suppositories and from a few comments on here it’s interesting a lot of women don’t know these things happen. OP I was conscious about feeling exposed, the members of the team that care for me during my Labour and emergency c section are my colleagues who some I socialise with also out of work and the thought of them seeing me in that way made me feel nervous but just to reassure you, we do everything to preserve a persons modesty at all times! Simple things like using a towel to cover mum right up to the point the surgeon needs to come and clean the abdomen.

Thank you i didn't realize I would be so exposed but the screen and not feeling anything would help it was a four year battle to get this baby Im just worried that something will go wrong at this stage
My worst fear it's tearing and having to get stiches down there are there any scenerios where they would have to stich you in a c section

@Strawberryshortcake28

I really feel for you, my c section was a really positive experience and the screen and numbness helped me zone out. Do you mean is there any reason you’d need vaginal stitching during a c section? No, absolutely not. I think being well informed and understanding the process will help you prepare.

You will have moments of being exposed but I promise you are being treated by professionals doing their job that will treat you with dignity and respect🙂

I assume you mean perineal/vaginal stitching? In a regular C-section, no.

The only reason I can think of is if there had been an attempted forceps delivery first, which caused a tear, but then needed to proceed to a caesarean. The times I know of, they were very, very minor tears.