Gentle C-sections

enigmaticjj

For those of us who have had c-sections before, and may be doing a planned c-section this time around (whether because you prefer that, or you and your doctor decided that may be safer than a VBAC), I wanted to bring up the topic of gentle c-sections. I'm curious if anyone has had one before (or knows someone who has) or is considering going this route. As far as I know they aren't very well known (at least in the US) - basically it's trying to make the experience feel like a birth and not just an operation (some doctors may allow you to have music playing, some may make modifications to allow you to see your belly while it happens, some allow you to hold your baby right away to do skin to skin as you would for a vaginal delivery, delayed cord cutting, etc.).

This will be my second child, and with my first I ending up having to have a c-section. It was pretty disappointing (I had been hoping to avoid one) and stressful (recovering from major surgery, etc.). What I disliked most about the actual c-section was I couldn't hold my baby right away, I got to see her and touch her, then she was taken away while I layed there being stitched up. This next time around I may do a gentle c-section instead of attempting a VBAC (the circumstances around why I needed the first c-section makes it sound like I might not be able to do a VBAC successfully). Gentle c-sections can vary greatly, but all I'm aiming for is being able to hold my baby right away (like with a vaginal delivery) so I can do skin to skin and start trying to breastfeed (instead of having to wait 30-45 minutes). My doctor seems on board with it, but I made a point not to use the term 'gentle c-section' per the mid-wife's suggestion as it seems some doctors might be weary of them because they can be a bit unconventional like letting the baby 'climb' out.

babybluu

So I believe I had something similar with my DD. I didn't get to see her being pulled out (which I'm more than okay with), but they gave her to me while they were closing me up, and let me hold her and try and breastfeed while on the operating table. My main issue is that they took her away from me while I was in recovery for like an hour. That was awful. 

This time im hoping for a VBAC but I'm not the most likely candidate to go into labor spontaneously, so if it doesn't happen, I hope for a c section similar to my
first one, without my daughter being taken while I'm in recovery if possible  

Gingermom15

@babybluu
I'm opting for a repeat c section this time because I don't want to vbac. My OB says they do immediate skin to skin and everything is done at my bedside for the baby while in recovery. So s/he won't have to leave my sight. Unless there are complications, of course. Maybe that is an option for you? A planned c section is much smoother than an unplanned/emergency. I would ask if that can be incorporated

livingthedream-3

I had 2 c-sections (both were breech babies), and at 2 hospitals and with 2 totally different experiences. What I've learned is it is policy at each hospital as to what they allow and don't. One didn't allow me to hold my baby until I was in recovery and one I was allowed to do skin to skin and breastfeed while they were stitching me up. The hospital that had the "family friendly" c/s has what are called stork nurses available and she was with me making sure baby and mama were ok. The other hospital didn't have these resources so it was to their risk to let me hold w/o back up in case something happened. I will be delivering at the hospital were I can do the skin to skin. Since I've had 2 c/s a 3rd is off the table. I would ask your OB what your hospital's policy is and if it's an option.

enigmaticjj

Yeah, so far I have the support of my OBGYN, but still keeping my options open for a VBAC (although I very much doubt I'll do that because I'd hate to end up with another C-section AND not have had it planned to be able to have adjustments made to allow that immediate skin to skin). But I know I need to / should talk to my doctor more to ensure there'd be no issues with the hospital.

@babybluu, yeah, it sucks having your newborn taken away for so long so quickly and as far as I know, they wouldn't do that for a vaginal delivery. So assuming you're in the right state of mind and able to hold them and they aren't in distress, why not let us C-section people hold them.

@livingthedream-3, that's great you have a place that automatically does that! Just curious, are you saying since you've had 2 c-sections already you'll be doing a VBAC instead?

ashleyf911

I had a planned c-section with my first (his head was 99th percentile and I apparently have a small pelvis) and for the most part I was happy with how it went. I'll have another planned with this little bean. To be honest (maybe this should be a FFFC) I'm not terribly emotionally tied to my birth experience - I know that some women really are and that's great, I'm just not wired that way, I guess. 

So, with my first c-section they took him out and weighed him and measured him quick (DH was right there and got to cut part of the cord) which took maybe 2-3 minutes and then they brought him over to me to see him while they were finishing stitching me up. DH then took him to the recovery room, and I met them there within about 15 minutes to start with skin to skin and nursing. For me, that was quick enough and I didn't have a problem with the wait.

The only thing I'd like to do differently this time is for them to drop the sheet when baby is coming out so I can watch. DH watched with our first and got some great pictures, but I'd like to be able to see babe as they're born.

livingthedream-3

enigmaticjj said:

@livingthedream-3, that's great you have a place that automatically does that! Just curious, are you saying since you've had 2 c-sections already you'll be doing a VBAC instead?

Sorry if I wasn't clear, because I've had 2 c/s I was not given the option to attempt a VBAC this time. After 1 my doctor was fine with attempting a VBAC, but my second ended up being breach so it was moot. This time he said he isn't comfortable with it, and after 2 I am ok with that.

I was asked if I wanted a stork nurse present to do skin to skin and breastfeed, and I was like hell ya! I was so excited since after my first I didn't hold her for almost an hour after she was born and it sucked.

enigmaticjj

@livingthedream-3, ah OK, makes sense.

@ashleyf911, I've also known people who were completely fine with however long it took before they could hold their newborn. I kind of envy that...less reason/chance for me to be disappointed.

lifeisbetteronthered

I have had a vaginal delivery and two c-sections.  My 4th will be a c-section as well.  A lot depends on your health and that of your baby.  I wasn't able to hold my daughter (vaginal delivery) for a while because i needed a major repair and she was born flat requiring resuscitation by the NICU team.  I also didn't get to hold my first son (c-section under GA) because both of us needed a lot of care.  My third was an elective c-section and we did skin to skin while I was being closed up.  All three deliveries provided me healthy children and I eventually healed so I'm happy with every one of them.  This one will be an elective c-section, and as long as I end up with the same result (healthy baby/healthy mom) I am a thankful mom.  I will get a lifetime of cuddles, even if i have to wait an hour for the first.