Dissapointed

Zimger

My second C-section has been scheduled. I'm fine about having another C-section but there are several differences that are making me feel nervous and slightly bummed out. It's a different state, hospital, and of course doctor.

-I have to have my arms secured, which means I can't hold DS after he is born like I could with my first son

-The time between delivery and recovery can stretch to 2 hours...before I can hold my son, which I think is outright ridiculous.

-They don't encourage room sharing in the hospital. I was told that they had to take him on occasion in order to check his vitals, warmth, ect. (this was all done when my first son was in my room)

My doctor is not very understanding when I shared my confusion and concern. He has a crappy bedside manner. I trust that he delivers well because he has a good history but still.

Sorry I guess this is just a vent. But if anyone has any words of wisdom or has experienced a similar delivery I would be happy to hear it.

zbeesma86

Do you have time to find another doctor that understands what you want?

I had one arm secured (the arm with the IV and the other arm had a BP cuff) they still set DD on my chest once she was wrapped up so I could kiss her and see her. The other arm that wasn't secured I was able to touch her and assist DH in holding her on me.

Zimger

I wish I did. We live in a very rural area. I didn't learn until recently that only one hospital is more "family friendly" as far as C-sections go. It's about 2 hours away. Unfortunately they are not willing to transfer me at this point.

It's my understanding that DH will be able to stay with the baby. I just feel like bonding is really interrupted. Hopefully it will still be a positive experience.

juliane2004

I had my arms NOT strapped down for C/s #2 and #3, because I asked. The 4th was different because I was more anxious and kept moving, but for #2 and 3, when I held still, they didn't strap them down.

ejb23

I was in a family friendly hospital but had to get strapped down due to really severe shaking. My DH brought DD over to my face so we could bond by nuzzling and then he took off his shirt and did skin to skin with DD in recovery room until I was rolled in and allowed to hold her. I think this helped a lot as DD was ready to nurse right away and never had any BFing issues. Good luck!

slwprincess

I was also going to suggest talking to the nurses during pre op and ask them if there can be some "give" on the rules. This is pretty out of date procedure as far as c/s go these days. I'd be surprised if you were the first to ask. Sorry you are dealing with this- I'd be dissappointed too. It's not much consolation but at least you know about it ahead of time- I'd be really ticked if I showed up and THEN found out :-(

nosoup4u

Yeah, I'd push back on all those policies, none of them are necessary for anyone's safety.

You called the other hospital to see if they'll take you, or your current practice is saying you can't transfer? Can you switch to a different Dr in the same practice?

spinsoffresonance

I had my arms tied down during the c-section. But I had asked to do skin to skin with DD as soon as possible in the OR. So after she got checked out by the pedi they brought her to me, set her on my chest and untied one arm so I could hold her. DH was also holding her securely on me. She stayed on my chest the entire time they finished the surgery,about 30min. I would definitely talk to your Ob again about this, and also ask the anesthesiologist and the nurses when you get to the OR.

Zimger

nosoup4u said:

Yeah, I'd push back on all those policies, none of them are necessary for anyone's safety. You called the other hospital to see if they'll take you, or your current practice is saying you can't transfer? Can you switch to a different Dr in the same practice?

The other hospital doesn't transfer patients once they are so far along (20 week mark). I tried giving them a call but had no luck.

Zimger

Thanks everyone. It looks like maybe I will have to talk to the rest of the team once I get in there. Maybe I can at least talk them into untying me once they get to a certain point. Any little bit helps. Hopefully all goes well. If it does then the max stay is two days.