Help me with my post birth expectations

robynlynn83 · October 2011

This is my fourth c-section but my first three were preemie and had to be checked out by NICU right away and I couldn't see them for awhile after birth as a result. This time around, I want to be able to enjoy my time with LO right away obviously barring him needing NICU)

Can baby stay in the OR with me and go right to recovery or does he have to go to nursery to do his first bath etc?

Can you do skin to skin soon after c/s?

Anything else I am missing?

jesusita2002 · October 2011

With my c-section, after they delivered him, they allowed my hubby to stand up and see him behind the curtain then whisked him away to be examined (they had seen merconium when they broke my water). My husband was able to join them in that room (off of the OR) after aspirating him and while they were weighing, doing the footprints, etc.

Hubby came back, they brought Jer in the OR for hubby to hold and me to see him. They took baby back while they stitched me up and then had me "hold" him in the bed as they transferred me to recovery. He was in recovery with me the whole time and we could do skin to skin right away (though I was way too out of it due to a myriad of factors) So we did it after 30 mins or so and I was able to breastfeed him then too. They also had me "transfer" him in my bed as we moved up to the postpartum room

hopkins5 · October 2011

Every hospital's policy is different. Your OB will be able to give you specifics.

In my case, DD and I were always in the same room. SO stayed by her side as she was weighed etc. while I was stitched up. The three of us went to recovery together.

My hospital doesn't have a nursery. DD was given her first bath in the room with us the next day.

I had to wait for the drugs to wear off before I could bf, but SO was still able to lay her on my chest shortly after she was born. It wasn't skin-to-skin exactly because I was still laying on the operating table unable to hold her, but it was close enough for me.

mrsseguin · October 2011

At the hospital I work at the baby can remain with the parents till the baby is 1 hour old, then goes to the nursery for it's bath and assessment. Often times the baby can go to the recovery room. Some moms breastfeed right away, others prefer to wait. It all depends how you feel.

MeghanF13 · October 2011

DH was with DD the entire time. DH and DD went to recovery to wait for me while I was stitched up, and then I got to hold her and BF her. Our hospitals don't have nurseries (just a NICU) so baby rooms in witht he parents. She never left our side.

catrinawaves · October 2011

My c-section was due to fetal distress (the cord was wrapped around DS' neck) and DS stayed with me the entire time. I didn't get to see him right away, but they gave him to me to hold on the way to the recovery room, which is where DH met us. I did attempt to BF while in recovery, although I was a wreck so that didn't work too well.

nosoup4u · October 2011

Like everyone else said, you'll have to check your hospital's policies. But FWIW, my husband held DS1 for the rest of my surgery after he was cleaned up and weighed. They offered to put him on my chest, but I was too out of it to do it. I breastfed (and probably could have done skin-to-skin if I asked?) in the recovery room. I hope you get your requests!

HBaylies · October 2011

DS stayed in the room for an initial check up and swaddle and some pictures. Then DH wheeled DS to the nursery to get better cleaned up and whatever else they do. I don't even really know. Once I was finished in the OR, I was put in a recovery room and they brought DS in within like 10 minutes. I got skin to skin and attempted bf'ing them. So maybe 30 minutes after he was born I got to be with him?

sabrina69barnes · October 2011

robynlynn83:

This is my fourth c-section but my first three were preemie and had to be checked out by NICU right away and I couldn't see them for awhile after birth as a result. This time around, I want to be able to enjoy my time with LO right away obviously barring him needing NICU)

Can baby stay in the OR with me and go right to recovery or does he have to go to nursery to do his first bath etc?

Can you do skin to skin soon after c/s?

Anything else I am missing?

Both of my boys were able to stay with me in the OR until I was ready to leave. DS2 never left my side. DS1 got to stay with me an hour and then had to leave for two. It was the hospital's policy.

FYI: just because it's the hospital's policy to take baby away doesn't mean you have to let them. I was told by the hospital where I delivered DS2 that if baby doesn't need to go to the NICU that it's illegal to take baby away from the parents if they don't give permission. I really wish I would have known this with DS1. I haven't had to test this and depending on the hospital you may have a fight but you do have a choice.

I'd check with your hospital a head of time so you can be prepared for what their policies are.

Want a personalized experience?

Help me with my post birth expectations

Re: Help me with my post birth expectations

Choose Another Board

Search Boards