YouTuber Irfan’s case: doctors elaborate on the intricacies involved Premium

YouTuber and food vlogger Irfan’s latest video of his newborn in an operation theatre: Incident raises questions on current practices in private hospitals, safety, and ethical concerns; Chennai’s senior obstetrician-gynaecologists delve into intricacies involved

YouTuber and food vlogger Irfan’s latest video of his newborn in an operation theatre (OT) has set off debates on and off social media. With the incident raising certain questions on the current practices in private hospitals, safety, and ethical concerns, some of Chennai’s senior obstetrician-gynaecologists delve into the intricacies involved.

Kanimozhi N.V.N. Somu, obstetrician and gynaecologist and Rajya Sabha Member, said there was no hard and fast rule on whether a husband should or should not be allowed into a labour room. It solely depended on the doctor’s discretion. It was not the right of a patient or attender. “The emergence of boutique hospitals and the concept of birthing suites in the last two decades brought in the culture of allowing husbands into the delivery room for vaginal deliveries. If the woman lands up for a caesarean section, the doctor and hospital alone can decide,” she said.

Jaishree Gajaraj, senior consultant, obstetrician and gynaecologist, said: “For a vaginal delivery, more and more doctors are now allowing husbands into the labour room. I am uncomfortable to allow a man enter the OT as he could be intimidated by the wires and monitors. If a woman is awake during a caesarean section — under spinal anaesthesia — then her partner can be allowed as she is aware and her respect for privacy is maintained. If she is under general anaesthesia, only medical and paramedical personnel are allowed. We need clarity on this aspect. This used to be the practice when I worked in the United Kingdom; allow if a woman is awake and absolute ‘no’ if she is not. At times, a husband is allowed to sit by her head for emotional support after she is draped.”

Some doctors do allow husbands to cut the umbilical cord, if they ask, in case of vaginal deliveries, they added.

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No more is obstetrics seen as a pathological condition, but it is looked at as a normal physiological process, added Dr. Kanimozhi.

“As a result, a number of hospitals do allow husbands into the labour room as a source of encouragement for their wives as well as to be aware of the pain she undergoes. Allowing/restricting husbands at OTs during caesarean section is based on the doctor and hospital’s discretion. An OT is a critical area and needs to be sterile. It is a dicey situation as husbands may not be able to cope in an OT, where a surgery is being done. This is a debatable question.” she said.