Why are women tied to the bed? - Page 2

[ckhagen]

My arms were not strapped during surgery...

My spinal never properly took prior to the surgery and I was given a local anesthetic which also didn't work (or didn't work in the area where the OB made the incision anyhow). What follows is from my DHs recollection because the shock has totally blocked it out for me...

At the point they started cutting I threw both my arms to one side and used them to turn partially over on the table. The OB had to stop the surgery until the anesthesiologist could properly get me unconscious.

I'm pretty sure mine would be a case which they would argue that the straps are necessary.

[laralee16]

I had a emergancy section. I was given some kinda drug in my iv when I first got in the room (I freaked out and tried to run from the room when they put the iodin on me : ) It knocked me out, when I "came too" my one arm had been strapped down (I was trying to take my iv out) but as soon as they saw I was awake, they unstraped it so I could touch my son.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by ckhagen

At the point they started cutting I threw both my arms to one side and used them to turn partially over on the table. The OB had to stop the surgery until the anesthesiologist could properly get me unconscious.

I'm pretty sure mine would be a case which they would argue that the straps are necessary.

Actually, your case has convinced me that I will *never* have my arms strapped down for surgery, since it appears that the only thing that made them realize you needed more anesthetic was the thrashing.

[wifeandmom]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Actually, your case has convinced me that I will *never* have my arms strapped down for surgery, since it appears that the only thing that made them realize you needed more anesthetic was the thrashing.

From personal experience, I can assure you that it's quite simple to tell them 'I CAN FEEL YOU CUTTING ME.'

There's truly no need to risk thrashing around during surgery when they could EASILY cut an artery, your bladder, etc. Just knicking an artery can result in such significant blood loss that you're DEAD within minutes depending on how bad it's cut and where.

Not worth the risk IMO.

[lunar forest]

Originally Posted by Shelsi

They keep the spouses out of the room during things like an epidural/spinal in case they faint from watching it. Not every hospital has that policy but many do. About 2 years ago a woman was receiving her epidural...her dh was in the room and he fainted. On his way down he hit his head on a piece of equipment and died instantly. My dh and I were talking about my epidural the other day and he said it made him very queasy and light headed and he's not usually the squeemish type!

Yeah, and so there's no witness who can sue them.

[lunar forest]

Originally Posted by wifeandmom

From personal experience, I can assure you that it's quite simple to tell them 'I CAN FEEL YOU CUTTING ME.'

There's truly no need to risk thrashing around during surgery when they could EASILY cut an artery, your bladder, etc. Just knicking an artery can result in such significant blood loss that you're DEAD within minutes depending on how bad it's cut and where.

Not worth the risk IMO.

But there's always the possibility that they think they've given you all the medication that they can, and you still hurt/feel because some drug addicted medical personel has switch some of the meds with saline water.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by wifeandmom

From personal experience, I can assure you that it's quite simple to tell them 'I CAN FEEL YOU CUTTING ME.'

at myself. I, um, thought that Ckhagen had been under general anesthetic at the time, but now rereading she'd passed out after cause of the pain.

Couldn't they, oh, I don't know, lightly prick you with a needle or something and wait until you answer "feel what?" before they start cutting?

[MamaTaraX]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Couldn't they, oh, I don't know, lightly prick you with a needle or something and wait until you answer "feel what?" before they start cutting?

They do, usually. Though I'e noticed they don't really wait too terribly long for people to answer. Everyting from dentists about to drill to OBs about to deliver by c/s. They kind of go "can you feel that?" *cut* I guess they assume you said "no". I've known several c/s moms to tell me they started cutting before they had a hcane to asnwer.

I'm sur ethe roots of strapping down the arms comes from surgery under general anesthetic, so a lot of it is just habit. When you have any other surgery, genrall, you are pretty well secured to the table. They strap down legs, arms, whatever can flail or disturb a sterile field. They close and tape your eyes. Since cesareans are major surgery, they are treated like surgery. I think that I personally would be far more freaked out having my armstied down than having them free. Free I could willingly keep them from moving. Tied down I would feel scared and trappe and helpless and I'd certainly NEED someone there to reassure me of what was happening. I can imagine it to be a very helpless feeling to know your baby is being birthed and thereis no possible way for you to touch them. Even in a totally drugged vaginal birth, you stil have the chance to touch your emerging baby (though lots of care providers will bat your hands away, which btw, totally screws with that "sterile field" they try to create). I'd love to be one of those women who participates in her c/s birth, but for me, if I'm birthing in an operating room its probably such an emergency that I need to be knocked out and therefore strapped down.

: sapphire_chan, I saw your siggy has changed! Yay for you!! There's a pregnancy announcemtn I cannot wait to hear!

Namaste, Tara

[ashleyhaugh]

i hafta agree its probably routine.... i had a laparoscopy where i was completely knocked out, and they strapped my arms down. probably to control any random movements you might make

[Emilie]

Originally Posted by JustJamie

I was strapped down during my c-section. I think it was because I had a reaction to the drugs.

I was induced with pitocin, and given an epidural. When it was decided that I would have a c-section, I was given a 3rd drug to stop the contractions. The anesthesiologist gave me a local anesthetic when she finally believed me about the epidural not working.
With 4 different drugs going through my body, plus the adrenaline of being scared/tired/in pain, I started uncontrollable shivering/shaking. It was pretty bad.

Anyway, I think that's why I had to be strapped down. I have no idea about anyone else.

Hugs Jaime.....