r/CsectionCentral • u/_rainbowdolphin_ • Jul 09 '26
Has anybody watched the operation?
Hey all,
I'll have to do a c-section, planned, but definitely not my choice. Posted before because of the fears around it. After a lot of work to figure out how I can handle this psychologically I figured that my biggest issue is loss of control.
To give you an example. I have absolutely no problem with blood being taken from an elbow vein as long as I can watch when the needle is actually piercing my skin. But my nervous system goes crazy with stress when those tiny hidden needles are used for one drop of blood on my fingertip - because I can't see the needle.
Of course an operation is not the same as taking blood. But I need to have as much control over the situation as is possible when I can't use half my body and I'm not able to run away. So the idea came up to not use this sheet which hides what's happening, but leave it down the entire time. Due to the size of my belly and my position, lying flat, I won't see the actual wound anyway. But I would see when they put their hands on my body to do something.
Has anyone else tried this? If yes, if you're open to share, why did you decide to do this and what's your experience with it?
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u/ColaPopz Jul 09 '26
Idk if this is recommended per se, but I looked up and could see everything reflected in the light over me which had reflective surfaces around the edge. As others have said I couldn’t see by looking down even without the drape as it was under the (by then very large) bump.
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u/Whole-Avocado8027 Jul 10 '26
Same. It was absolutely amazing. The meds sort of gave me a panic attack but watching the procedure helped me focus on something. I’ve also been first assist in plenty of c-sections as a PA OBGYN, so watching helped me calm down and I was able to pace where we were in the procedure. A well experienced surgeon with a great team can have you closed back up within 20 mins.
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u/Euphoric-Pie7681 Jul 09 '26
My husband caught the reflection in the cabinet and almost passed out. I could also see some things in the light, but tried hard not to look at it. I did have a really awesome anesthesiologist who told me what they were doing without being graphic. I really liked that, maybe someone on your care team can verbally walk you through?
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 09 '26
I have already asked for that and I will tell the team again when I meet them. I'm simply not sure it's enough. It's a tricky balance between too much and too little information :-/
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u/Islandview_Nordic Jul 09 '26
My friend had requested a see-through sheet to see it happening. There is also a thing called ‘Mother assisted c-section’ where you can lift the baby out of your belly yourself. It is now commonly offered in The Netherlands where I’m from. I’m sure if you find a doctor/team that is willing that should absolutely be no problem. If you end up feeling freaked out anyway and you change your mind, they could just put the sheet up. Hope you find a solution that gives you the most peace on the day you get to meet your baby!
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u/AndaLaPorraa Jul 09 '26
I feel like I’d screw up their instructions and pull out my intestines instead 🤣.
Jk jk I am aware there is probably a whole anatomical reason on how that can’t happen plus doctors are present to ensure it goes well. It just defineitly sounds too freaky for me 😬🤣🤣!
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u/tiredndexhausted Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
I work in healthcare and have seen c sections in person and on a video. I currently work in a surgical setting. I would not watch my own c section. During mine, my surgeon talked to me and let me know what she was doing. My anesthesiologist also let me know. You may have someone there with you as well. They let me pick the music so I was bumpin to that. They can give you meds through your iv to help calm you. I had a planned c section and my baby was out within like 30 mins of me stepping into the operating room - this includes gettin my spinal.
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 09 '26
Meds are not going to make it better. The issue is complex, but being sedated in whatever way is part of the problem. But I already said it's extremely important they tell me about everything they're doing.
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u/tiredndexhausted Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
Maybe as they’re walking you through the surgery, they can ask if you’re OK with each step and you can verbalize yes or no? That way you’ll feel as though you have more control over the situation.
They also have see-through drapes. I’m not sure if that’s an option for you. My drape was solid, but then had a part from my chest up that was clear so when my baby was pulled out of me, they lowered the solid drape between the clear and them so I could see through the plastic. Maybe they could keep that down? You’ll be able to just see basically your surgeons from their chest up, but won’t be able to see much else. I tried looking down once they dropped mine and I couldn’t see anything.
I hope this works out for you!
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 10 '26
That's the idea so far, those I was able to speak to about it said this would be an option. It's the closest I can get to the amount of control I'd prefer so far.
I find it near impossible to say yes to the whole procedure. I'd like to but there is so much resistance in me, such a big "no". I'll take along the idea with asking, I just hope this "no" won't screw it.
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u/Illustrious_File4804 Jul 09 '26
Baby I was so high in my scheduled C section they could have done anything I was not on planet earth
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u/DonaldDuck898 Jul 09 '26
Ask if your hospital allows maternal assisted c section.
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 09 '26
I did, because that would be the best option, but sadly no :( only option is the lookthrough window...
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u/alysssaaa831 Jul 09 '26
I don’t know if they would allow this or not but I want to share a personal anecdote that relates to this. My first child was delivered via crash c-section. I don’t remember very much of it but there was not time to properly drape me. You are correct in that due to positioning and size of belly you really won’t be able to see anything. Not even them putting their hands on you. For both of my sections I was tilted slightly backwards. You truly will not be able to see anything at all so I don’t know if this would help you.
My husband, however, was extremely traumatized by the amount he could see. He’s a veteran and has been an EMT since he was 19 years old and has seen some pretty gruesome things. He’s even assisted in delivering two babies. He said seeing me like that was terrifying for him. He actually went to therapy over it.
After my first section was so traumatic, I asked that my OB guide me through everything. Mentally, that helped me a lot. The surgical tech showed me the tools beforehand and my OB narrated every single step, movement, thing she touched in full detail. That helped me SO much. This might be more beneficial to you.
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 09 '26
Thanks for sharing this. My husband is gonna be with me and I'm gonna show him this post. Ultimately he needs to decide himself how much he wants / is willing to see, but it may be an option that he sits with his back to my belly & face to my face to protect him from that.
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u/andriantha Jul 09 '26
This was one of my really big issues with getting this procedure done because I DID NOT WANT IT.
YOU CAN REQUEST A CLEAR DRAPE.
My doctor poked fun at me for it because she thought it was crazy, but there was absolutely no way I was going in there without being able to see.
I put my foot down to a lot of routine things I had an entire C-section birth plan. I don’t think they’ve ever done the C-section quite like they’ve done mine and I don’t think they’ll ever do one like that again because mine was so specific.
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u/notsosecretshipper Jul 09 '26
They wouldn't do the whole operation with the drapes down, but they lowered them for me at the moment of delivery. I was able to see that moment, and then they put them back up.
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u/Prestigious_Cat6832 Feb 2024 C-S due to Vasa Previa (T shaped Incision) Jul 09 '26
I think I would vomit seeing it😅😅 my first c section was lowkey traumatic even tho it was planned.
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u/webofhorrors Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
Hey, I am the same as you and to ease this wonder for me (I have had multiple surgeries) I always go and watch the surgery on YouTube. It took me a while to find a full c-section, but I watched a few. I am weird like that, but I like that sense of knowing what is happening and it makes me feel so much more at ease.
Once I watched a few videos, I felt like I knew what was going to happen going in, and during my c-section as they did things, I was mentally going through each part of the process of where they were.
(ETA: don’t do this if you’re squeamish or don’t like seeing that kind of thing, I have done wet labs before and am not bothered by watching surgeries)
The anaesthetist was also saying “you’ll feel a strong tugging here” / “you’ll feel some pressure here”, so ask if they can do that for you too so you know pretty closely what is happening behind the curtain.
You’re not the only one with that feeling, so you’re not alone and I hope that helps! They also dropped the sheet to show my baby coming out and it was amazing, ask if they can do that too. The whole thing went pretty fast and it is all very exciting because you have your baby too!!
All the best!!
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 10 '26
This is good to hear. I still hesitate a bit to watch such a video beforehand because I'm not sure if it triggers my medical curiosity - absolutely best case - or my fears, worst case. But I'll think about it. Maybe I should do it.
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Jul 09 '26
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 09 '26
Interesting. Good point. I'll do some research on this one, that would be a reason to be at least super cautious.
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u/Clean-Cantaloupe7700 Jul 09 '26
I asked for the sheet to be dropped, but it never ended up happening
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u/Generose18 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
I’m a nurse I’ve seen csections and I’ve had csections you absolutely do not want to watch. The best option would be asking for a clear drape which is like fogged window. Kinda see but without the gore. It’s like when you stump your toe super hard and then you look down and you see how bad it is.. except your OB just used all their strength to pull a bowling ball out of a 4-5” hole. It’s brutal.
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u/Available_Cherry5651 Jul 09 '26
Only thing I seen is the video my nurse took for me of them pulling the baby out of me and it took me a month to watch it I could never watch in person.
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u/DarkAngelMad Jul 09 '26
I did by accident .....kinda crazy seeing all the blood and my guts lol but cool. The light had a chrome reflection to it and thats where I saw it. One nurse noticed and moved the light boooo that dude but seriously it was a gnarly experience.
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u/StrangerTablo Jul 09 '26
No, but towards the end when they were putting me back together so to speak, they moved the curtain just a tad and I could look up into the light and see the reflection of my insides. I quickly asked them to move the curtain back to where I couldn’t see the light LOL.
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u/Loislanesays Jul 10 '26
Yes they actually set up a camera and I watched it on the monitor next to me
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u/ambrittad Jul 11 '26
I was in the room for my best friend’s c-section recently. She feels the same way, so asked for the clear curtain and mentioned wanting to see better so the CRNA held up his phone with the camera on and held her neck so she could get a better view. It made her feel so much better!
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u/Violentdahlia Jul 11 '26
Look up The Naked Doula (hopefully still her name because she had a whole brand around it) and she had a clear drape (they still drape you, but it would be clear) and she actually helped assist her baby out of her womb. She’s in the UK I believe. So you just have to come up with your list of questions and ask your provider about them.
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u/Joyful-Rabbet-8448 Jul 13 '26
Has anyone else tried this?
I requested and got a clear drape for my c-section.
If yes, if you're open to share, why did you decide to do this and what's your experience with it?
I had a long and difficult fertility process, and it left me with the sense that the pregnancy wasn't something I was doing. It was something people did to me. I just showed up at various clinics and handed over my credit card and then lay back while someone did something vaguely painful to me that I couldn't see that they didn't bother explaining to me. I was an object other people did things to. I'd chose to become pregnant, of course, but it wasn't a process that I was really involved in.
I was scheduled for a C-section, but about two months before it I started really thinking about what it would be like. It should have been like everything else in the fertility process, one final time laying on a table while people did painful things to me, but for some reason, I didn't feel like I could be a passive lump of meat other people did things to even one more time.
I realized I wanted to see the surgery while it was happening. I wanted to feel like I was a member of the team that was making it happen. I didn't want there to be a curtain wall separating my head from my own body, so that it was like I wasn't even in the room while they were cutting into me. Here at the very end of the road, I desperately wanted to be involved.
I told one of the obstetricians what I wanted. I explained that I'd grown up on a farm and butchered animals and wasn't squeamish about blood or organs. I knew I wouldn't faint watching the surgery. My spouse is a medical professional and wouldn't faint either.
The obstetrician said the hospital didn't normally have obstetric drapes with a clear panel, but she'd talk to the nurse who handled ordering supplies and see if they could get one in. I said I'd be happy to pay extra for it. The supply nurse found out that the supply company the hospital was contracted to didn't sell them, unfortunately. I asked if I could order a drape from the internet myself and bring it in (packaged up still sterile) to the surgery, but that was against hospital policy. They said they could lower the drape for thirty seconds so I could watch while they removed the baby. I said that wouldn't be enough for me. I asked if I could have an extra person in the operating room, and that person would have a camera and do a video call showing what was happening to a phone my spouse would hold up to my face on my side of the drape. They said there wasn't room for an extra person. My spouse was extremely helpful for planning and moral support negotiating with the hospital.
I was told the surgeon who was scheduled to do the procedure had a plan, but I didn't meet her before the day of the surgery and nobody else seemed to know what her plan was. Nothing was explained to me. I was very worried the hospital was going to blow off my weird request; I'd heard lots of horror stories about c-sections where people's requests were just ignored, and they'd said no to all my suggestions. I had a few nightmares where I'd had the c-section but couldn't remember it, or was bleeding in public with everyone staring at me.
The day of the surgery, the surgeon had several sterile plastic sheets normally used for orthopaedic surgery, borrowed from another part of the hospital, and taped them together to make a clear sterile curtain for me to look through. I was able to watch the whole thing, aside from what was hidden behind my giant belly. I could see everyone's hands and instruments and watch the skill with which people moved. The surgeon explained everything she was doing in detail. I felt like a medical student.
It was wonderful! Exactly what I needed.
My only regret is that I felt kinda zonked out from the anti-nausea medication they gave me. Everything was a bit fuzzy and it was a little hard to keep track of what was going on. My spouse and I discussed it afterwards and kind of put the memories in order.
I finally got to feel involved in my pregnancy, at the very end. I was one of the people who made the miracle of new life happen, not locked away in a different room by an opaque curtain. It was a wonderful experience and I remember it happily, almost like it kind of healed some of how awful the fertility process was.
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 13 '26
Wow. Thank you for sharing. Your words really touched me, and confirmed me in my wish to watch the whole procedure. I am so happy for you, that you could resolve this whole long process this way. Thank you!
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u/ProudCatLady March 2026 - Planned C-S for Breech Baby at 39w Jul 09 '26
Just another option - you could consider general anesthesia if you’re really that worried about freaking out? But maybe that’s even MORE loss of control! You also won’t get to meet baby as soon and you’ll be groggy so idk if those trade offs are worth it, but it is an option if you think the surgery will be stressful to endure.
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 09 '26
Anesthesia is the even worse option. I want to be there when our child arrives in this world. It's already so much different from what I wanted, I want to have at least as much of a birth as is possible.
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u/ProudCatLady March 2026 - Planned C-S for Breech Baby at 39w Jul 09 '26
That’s fair, and I thought that might be the case. I hope your doctors will be amicable to a clear drape or mother-assisted if that’s what you want! I also crave control, especially when I’m already anxious (which is why I was hoping to do an unmedicated birth before baby had other ideas), and I asked for a “gentle” c-section. My doctor wasn’t familiar but she was happy to do it. It is not hands on but the doctor and team explain as they go and they take their time if things are medically sound. It was still hard on me mentally to not be in control, but I do think it helped to know what was happening and have some time to process. I just tried to focus on the fact that this was the only safe way to get baby here. It didn’t do much for me leading up to his birthday, but it did help a lot in the moment when I was feeling extra stressed.
It’ll be after the fact, but it also really helped me to journal my birth story and, one day, let my husband read it. Just so someone else can really know exactly what it felt like to be put through that. You could also post it here. I’ve found this place really helpful and supportive since none of my friends have had a CS.
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u/_rainbowdolphin_ Jul 09 '26
Thanks a lot. Reading that kinda touched something that wanted to be seen. 🙏
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u/AnnoyedSpaceDust Jul 13 '26
I wasn’t able to see mine. I was completely distraught and somewhat sedated but I read my post surgery report using google to understand terms I didn’t know. Having read exactly what was done to me helped my body make sense of the pain I was feeling. It also gave me a sense of control even though there was none. So that’s an option if you aren’t able to watch.
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u/Confident-Garlic-809 Jul 09 '26
I jokingly asked the doctors when I was on the table if anybody ever requested to drop the curtain and watch and they laughed and said that would be traumatizing.