Epidural and c-section question?!?

Question

I just have a couple really random questions..
when you get a c-section, why do people say they strap your arms down? is that true? and if so why?!


also everyone always talks about getting the epidural, but what does it feel like when its taken out, or are you still very numb?!
thanks!

Answer 1

Yes, they do strap your arms down. They do this because some people have a natural urge to put their hands down in the abdominal region during the surgery, this would contaminate the sterile field. That is why the arms are strapped down. Your arms are put straight out, like you are making a T, they are not strapped tightly, and as soon as you are closed up, they are let free! I haven't personally had the epidural (will 8/24/09 for my c-section), but I have seen it taken out (I am an RN), and it doesn't appear to hurt coming out. Just a small tug!

Answer 2

During my c section my arms were not strapped down, but I was pretty calm. They did have my arms out like in a T but they weren't strapped down. I'm not sure if they even do that anymore.



And when the epidural was taken out, they stopped the medicine from flowing first. It took about 10 minutes for me to get feeling back completely but I was wiggling my toes as soon as they stopped the medicine.

Answer 3

I've had 2 c-sections and im still not 100% sure as to why they strap your arms down It could be to help circulation because I always feel like I can't breath after a certain point. It could also be to keep you from flailing your arms around, my second c-section was painful even after the epidual. How numb you are after the removal is based on how much you were given. With my 1st it took 2 hours to get my feeling back because I was numb from the neck down then I ended up having an allergic reaction to the epidual and itched for almost 2 days. With my second I believe it was 45 mins to an hour that I was still numb. Different strokes for different folks Im afraid.

Answer 4

I didn't have my arms strapped down. And I had an emergency c-section.



Yes when it is taken out you are still very numb. So you don't feel it when they do take it out. I was numb for 2 hours after my c-section. They told me I could sleep if I wanted to but I was talking their ears off for 2 hrs.

Answer 5

i had a c-section may 6th 2009 and yes they strapped my arms down.i`m not sure why but when they pulled the baby out and everything they undone them.i had a spinal block.and i was still very numb afterwards it just about an hour for me to get all my feeling back.i was so numb even my mouth was numb.but after i got my feeling back in the bottom of my stomach they took the straight to my room and give me pain medicine threw my IV.

Answer 6

I have had 2 c-sec and both times they strapped my arms down....maybe so you do flail around??? not sure..... you are a bit numb after the epidural comes out but then you gradually get feeling back

Answer 7

With my c-section they had me hold my arms out but didn't remember if they strapped them down. They have you do it so they can monitor you better. One arm has the blood pressure cuff on it, the other had my IV and the Pulse/Ox to monitor my oxygen levels and pulse through out the procedure.



It's pretty normal protocol.



I had a spinal with my second c-section (first was under general, emergent...no time), it's an injection so no catheter in place delivering IV, nothing to remove.



I had itching from the spinal because it had morphine in it, but that was about it.

Answer 8

Ive never heard of you getting your arms strapped down..... thats creepy and i dont think they would be allowed to do that... as for the epidural it all depends on how well the medicine worked for you. Most likely you wont feel anything at all when they take it out. :)

Answer 9

yes they strap your arms down to the table, it secures you to the table because it is a thin table. They tried to do 3 epidurals and none of them took.

Answer 10

For my c-section they didn't strap my arms down but made me keep them out to the side. I wasn't allowed to move them but no, they didn't strap them to the table or anything.

Answer 11

i get mine strapped down....i shake so much they barely get held down lol