C-section mams whose hands were not tied down...

Sorry for some more questions. I found out my hospital has a policy of tying down your hands while you have a C-section and will not let them go until I am all sewed up- which could take upto 40 minutes. I don't really want to wait 40 minutes to hold my baby.

The lamaze coach suggested that I bring in some articles about tying hands down. Did anyone read anything about this before their C-section? Thanks!!

Re: C-section mams whose hands were not tied down...

My hands were tied down...but when they wrapped Jared up and brought him over to me, they untied my hands and I was able to hold him.

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With all due respect - I dont mean it as a judgemental question - but what is the big deal with the arms being tied down? Ive heard the Q raised before but never understood the issue. I had a c/s with my daughter and honestly cant remember if they tied them down or not. I think they were and my DH brought her up and held her on/next to me and then I was able to hold her shortly thereafter.

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I know why they tied me down...They must have been testing to see if I was numb and I freaked out because I felt something extremely sharp and my whole body jumped forward. I can laugh about it now...

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Thats the part I hated - my hospital had a policy of it as well, I didn't get to hold my babies until I was back in my hospital room. Which was like over an hour of waiting. They let my dh hold them next to me. I was really sad about it.

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My arms were NOT tied down, yet I still didn't get to hold Andrew until I was in my room, more than 3 hours later! DH cut the cord and then he was able to hold him for a bit and brought him to me, where I was able to touch his cheeck and give him a kiss.

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my hands were not tied down. but to be prefectly honest, it doesnt matter if they are or arent, imho. right after the baby was born, she was wrapped up and brought right over to me. my dh held her and i gave her a great big kiss on her face. and as soon as you are moved to recovery you can hold her. and that happens rather quickly. its going to be perfect!

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I haven't heard of many women with c/s that didn't have their hands tied down.

Mine were and my OB explained it was to help keep me 100% still since it's major surgery they are doing! I didn't care about it.

Right after Emily was born, they gave her to DH to hold. Since I was lying flat on a table I couldn't have really held her comfortably anyway, c/s or not.

Then, as they wheeled me down to recovery, I was able to hold her on my chest the whole way

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Mine weren't but I had seen it done on a baby story. To be perfectly honest it seemed awful to me and was sometihing I did not want done. Thankfully it wasn't and I was able to hold my baby immediately.

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I had mine tied down and as much as I hated it because I wanted to hold Emily right away I kind of understand why they would do it. I don't think I was thinking about it as major surgery but it really is.

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Mine were, but I have to say my arms felt weird and I would have never trusted myself to hold Damien until after the effects of the drugs wore off. My DH held him right away and brought him right to my face so I could kiss him.

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Mine were not tied down...and I delivered at the same hospital as Stefanie. I think you are right Stefanie - it may have had something to do with what happened to you.

My DH had told me beforehand that they tie you down so I was prepared for it but pleasantly surprised when they didn't. I didn't even ask. Anyway, I didn't get to hold my baby until recovery which happened quickly enough. I got to see him immediately, which was great. DH held him next to me and I think I remember giving him a kiss and touching him. But I was too weak to hold him at that point anyway...then I started shaking pretty violently from the drugs or whatever while I was being stitched up so I wouldn't have wanted to be holding him then anyway.

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My arms were not tied down, but honestly I was scared to move them, I tried to stay as still as possible. I was not able to hold my boys until 6 hours after surgery since they were in the NICU, so I am not sure if I would have been able to hold them in the OR or not, DH held them, and that was enough for me, they needed to be tested for a heart issue, so they were wisked away.

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Mine were tied down, and covered with a heated pillow type of thing. I really appreciated the heated pillow because I had a total panic attack right when they were giving me the spinal and started to tremble uncontrollably. Having my arms covered with the warmth really calmed me down.

It's true, your arms are untied before you know it, and you'll be holding your little one! While they stitched me up, DH was holding him right next to me. I didn't care if it were me or DH holding him, I was sobbing with relief that he was healthy and crying. It was a wonderful moment.

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I did not have my arms tied and was not able to hold her until recovery anyhow. I was pretty drugged up so it wasn't a big deal at the time, although I am disappointed when I think about it now.

Honestly, it would be a big deal to me if I were tied. I do not like the feeling of being restricted and freaked out not being able to feel my legs, so I'm soooo glad my upper half was mobile, not that I moved anyhow.

And to answer your question, I had never read anything one way or the other on the matter, although I probably will the second time around.

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I had them tied down for Patrick but, not for the twins. Either way I didn't get to hold them until I was in the recovery room.

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I REFUSED to allow it, plain and simple. Tell your doctor you will use a different hospital if the policy will not be changed for you.

It was a HUGE deal to me for personal reasons. I think it is AWFUL to force a women to have her hands tied down and not hold her baby. Why should I not be allowed to BF or hold my baby like other new mothers? SO much was already taken away from me with the c/s...I had to save some of it.

Re: C-section mams whose hands were not tied down...

Posted by michele31
It was a HUGE deal to me for personal reasons. I think it is AWFUL to force a women to have her hands tied down and not hold her baby. Why should I not be allowed to BF or hold my baby like other new mothers? SO much was already taken away from me with the c/s...I had to save some of it.

Message edited 3/26/2006 10:19:53 PM.

Re: C-section mams whose hands were not tied down...

I couldn't remember so I just asked my husband and he said he thinks just the arm that had the IV was tied, i was covered with a sheet because I was shivering and cold (probably more to do with the spinal than being cold)
I was trembling so much that honestly I am glad that they do what they have to do. What if I pulled something out? Or freaked on the table?
JMO But.... unfortunately this is major surgery, and I don't think the rules should be different than they would be for any other OR operation.
My DH held the baby and brought him to my face and I remember touching and kissing him then they both went off to the nursery, thats the last thing I remember til I was done being sewn up (30 minutes) and then wheeled back to my room.

They brought Aidan in about 10 minutes later.

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The fact is it's not like you are going to have all this room to cuddle your baby. You will be laying down & won't be able to feel 1/2 your body. The "holding" really is your baby lying under your chin w/ your hand at it's back. Not a full on cuddle & not for any real length of time. (Yes, it does REALLY su<k that we don't get the same priviligies that a new Mommy has when they give birth vaginally.) But, ALL the babies have to go to be checked out. So, no matter what they will be taken away for a bit. Then you get fixed up they send you into recovery & then you get to sit up & hold your baby properly. You can also try to breastfeed if you want. Is it fair who's to say. It is still the most awesome expierence you will ever have. And for some all this worry & anger over it goes away & the reality sets in that YOUR baby is here, healthy & all yours!

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I was NOT able to really hold Molly for almost 4 hours But my hands being tied down had to do with the fact that I am not a criminal and I do not want to be restained like that. I was upset enough..I didn't need no arm movements added to it. I BF'd in the OR. So that was important to me.
And I have never gotten over what I happened...I have just learned that I can't go back and accepted the fact that I hate what happened and I am okay with hating it now. Not sure if that makes sense.

But anyway...I am glad that I did not allow my hands to be tied down. IF it upsets you then refuse. They can't force you.