Can you have nails on for C-section ?

[Ghayx]

Hi all I have an elective C-section book in , in just under 3 weeks time .
I had an emergency section with my first & had acrylics on then.
just wondering what everyone’s experiences are with this ? do they check ect ?
I wouldn’t want to turn up to my pre op the day before and be told they have to come off , as it will give me no time to remove them 🙈

They should be asking for them to be off for the surgery, (they are an absolute nightmare from an infection control POV) but surely you would want them off anyway ? Newborns and acrylic nails are not a good mix.

I think that need them off so they can use the oximeter. So at least one finger needs to be naked

I had a c section.

No nail polish or anything that covers the nail bed as they need to see if they turn blue during the op.

Good luck

The usual reason given for removing them is so that the oxygen saturation probe can be put on your finger and pick up a reading, for continuous monitoring in theatre. However, if the hospital has ear probes, they can clip one of these on your ear lobe instead.
Why not just phone the unit in advance and ask for their policy?

Usually they only need one finger - the index finger - to be clean of any acyrlics/nail polish. Sometimes they can use the big toe...but worth checking with the individual hospital. Also sometimes easier to handle an awkward newborn with short nails so might help to remove them.

Thanks ladies .I’m not talking long acrylics🙈 I have them on regular , super short (hardly above the skin ) because of my job .will ring & ask tho x

Just wanted to let anyone know who has the same question , I asked my consultant at the hospital today & said they allow gel nails now. They can pop the probe on the side of the finger . Might be different at different hospitals tho x