C-sections
Gabbabridge
member
No Skin-to-Skin in OR?
Gabbabridge
member
in C-sections
I met with my OB yesterday to prepare for my scheduled C-section next week (baby is breech). She said I wouldn't be able to do skin-to-skin in the operating room because they'll be stitching me up. When I then asked if the baby could do skin-to-skin with my DH, she also said no, no skin-to-skin until we get to the recovery room. If everything goes smoothly, LO will be in the same room with us the whole time and I can hold him/her (team green) and we should be in the recovery room within an hour of the surgery. Just want to make sure this all sounds normal, or do some hospitals allow skin-to-skin sooner?
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Re: No Skin-to-Skin in OR?
I've never had skin to skin in the OR. Only with my 4th c-section was I allowed my baby in recovery (they changed the rules). With my first 3, I was not allowed to see the baby until AFTER I was out of recovery and in my room.
GL!
With my first 2 children as soon as baby was out and I got to touch their hands they were shipped off to the nursery. Until I was out of recovery NO ONE except the nurses were allowed to touch baby and baby couldn't come out of the nursery.
At a separate hospital for #3 they let my DH sit next to my head the whole time holding him but I wasn't allowed to do anything more than use my free hand to stroke his head until they were all cleaned up.
BFP #2 11/30/09 EDD 08/12/10- Sophia Grace born 8/1/10
BFP #3 11/16/10 EDD 08/04/11- Samuel Richard born 7/28/11
BFP #4 01/04/12 EDD 09/19/12- Simon Nathaniel born 9/6/12
BFP #5 03/27/13 EDD 11/25/13- Savannah Lee born 11/18/13
This. My surgery took a little bit longer since I had my tubes tied and my uterus didn't want to start contracting back like it should have. Aria's daddy was in scrubs so no skin to skin there. I watched her being cleaned up and weighed and daddy then got her and held her by my face so I could snuggle and touch her with my hands as best as I could being all spread out and mostly numb. Recovery was in my own room so I was with her within an hour of surgery. Someone in the OR took pics for us, though, which was really really nice of them.
This was my experience also.
This does sound normal, but some OB's out there are more "natural" c-section friendly. Some do allow it, you just have to find the right one early on. I don't really think you would have the time to look and switch if you are scheduled for next week. I also had DS scheduled b/c he was breech as well and I was allowed to have him in the recovery room, but I didn't really know much about the skin-to skin stuff, so I never asked. We went on to breastfeed fine though
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I plan on VBACing next time, so skin-to-skin is a def as long as everything goes well. However, when I am doctor shopping this time I will find a doctor who is comfortable with a "natural c-section," just in case it happens again.
**Make sure you get an ultrasound right before they wheel you back...babies can still flip pretty late. Sometimes even experiencing labor for a little bit can cause baby to flip. Have you tried any acupuncture or seeing a chiropractor? They can really help baby possibly flip. I didn't do any of this and regret not trying and just scheduling the section b/c of being breech. C-sections are no cake walk. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, just asking if you have tried this stuff so that you could possibly avoid the surgery.
Mom to Carter (6), and Calianne (1).
Proud VBAC, natural birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering momma!
I had skin-to-skin in the OR, but I also had my MW with me who just made it happen. It might take you 20-30 minutes to get to the recovery, and you DH should have baby during that time (usually waiting for you in recovery). I don't see why he couldn't do it while they waited for you.
ETA: I just remembered I didn't exactly do skin-to-skin in the OR, but we did try bf'ing in the OR before DH took her. And then we cuddled skin to skin in recovery.
bfp#4 3/19/2014 edd 12/1/2014 please let this be the one!
beta @ 5w0d = 12,026! u/s 4/22/14 @ 8w1d it's twins!
Oh goodness, yes. Acupuncture, moxibustion, chiropractic, spinningbabies, ECV consult, you name it. Our LO just wants to be bull-headed (he/she will be a Taurus, after all) and start dictating things right away!
Awe....yep my DS was the same way!! Still is! Lol. Good luck hon, just try to push for what you want as long as everything is going well.
Mom to Carter (6), and Calianne (1).
Proud VBAC, natural birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering momma!
All of this. I didn't have skin to skin until recovery but I wouldn't have felt physically ready on the operating table. There is so much going to you that's it's probably not a good idea anyway. You will have plenty of snuggle time after your surgery is over.
I had an emergency c-section and my midwife was in the room - i had stated in my birth preferences that if a c-section was necessary - that i wanted skin to skin in the OR. they were very accommodating - they put the sensors on my back and near my shoulders so that my chest was clear - I did not have a gown on - only a cap on my head.
Baby was removed - cleaned - and then put on my chest without being bundled or capped - and had a towel over her and she was against my bare chest - she went immediately for the breast and i was able to have her latch while i was getting stitched up. she was handed to my husband for a minute as they transferred me off the table - and then gave her back to me and we were wheeled into our room - no separate recovery room - about an hour later a midwife came in to weigh her. it was a great experience - given the circumstances.