Scared of possible c section

stormchasersbride · January 2012

Hi ladies

I am being induced on Thursday. My son is big according to my mfm. As of last week he was estimated at 7lb 13oz and today estimated at 9lb. The dr told me this am that my pelvis area is very small and we have a high possibility of a section.

I am not scared or worried about the surgery. I am terrified of them taking the baby away from me while they see me up.

At our hospital they don't allow baby to stay in the operating room. They say it is too cold.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to advocate for baby to stay in operating room with me. I really want to breast feed as soon as possible.

Any advice or words of wisdom would be great.

Thanks!

soveryexcited · January 2012

That is weird that they won't allow the baby to remain in the OR. I've had two c-sections and both times they allowed DH to hold our baby by my head while I was getting sewed up. They probably will not allow you to hold/breastfeed your baby until you are in recovery which makes sense since you will be flat on your back. They also put ''restraints'' (I use the term loosely- they were just velcro) on your arms I think to keep you from freaking out and doing anything; so that would also hamper you holding your baby. But I think its a little ridiculous that they whisk the baby out of the OR right away... I'd ask my Dr if they can make sure that the baby stays with your DH in the OR until you can be wheeled into recovery.

honkytonk_kid · January 2012

Tell your husband to pick up your baby and say, "No thanks." It is YOUR baby, what are they going to do? Grab LO from out of your husband's arms?

Sorry your hospital has crappy policies. Hopefully you won't need a c/s at all

JG362009 · January 2012

That happened to me during my c-section. They took the baby out of the OR right away and I didn't get to hold him for several hours until I was up on the post-partum floor and out of the recovery room. It seriously sucked. Some hospitals, like the one I delivered at, just have stupid, stupid policies. Hopefully it's something you can ask them not to do and they'll comply with your requests, but sometimes it's something their malpractice insurer requires so you can't do a ton about it. At any rate, it doesn't mean it's not a ridiculous practice to separate a healthy mom and baby so I really hope it doesn't happen to you.

hopkins5 · January 2012

If it's your hospital policy, there isn't much you can do, unfortunately. Regardless, I'd let all the doctors and nurses know ahead of time that you want to be with your baby as soon as possible. I wouldn't be too concerned about breastfeeding immediately, though. You have to wait for the freezing to wear off first. It took me about half an hour.

ETA: I see a PP mentioned "restraints." I've never heard of that before. I was told to lay my arms out wide, but they weren't held down by anything.

jb2rn · January 2012

honkytonk_kid:
Tell your husband to pick up your baby and say, "No thanks." It is YOUR baby, what are they going to do? Grab LO from out of your husband's arms?
Sorry your hospital has crappy policies. Hopefully you won't need a c/s at all

This!!! It's your baby. My dh went with our son to the warmer as they checked him out and then my dh held him right away. I was stitched up and then I got my baby when I was wheeled to my room, about an hour later. Once they close you, you should ve able to BF right away.

Daisy22 · January 2012

At my hospital, the daddy gets to take baby to the recovery room which is across the hall. With DS1, I was in there within 30 minutes. I saw the bath and everything else then I got to do skin to skin and try BFing. The same with DS2. I never had issues with either of my sons and BFing. The c/s didn't make any difference even when I had my c/s with DS1 and was midnight in recovery. I highly recommend doing skin to skin as soon as you can and keep doing it.

ETA: I did get to see the baby and kiss their little cheeks before dh headed to recovery with them. They pretty much pulled my boys out, wrapped them in blankets and handed them to dh.

nosoup4u · January 2012

honkytonk_kid:
Tell your husband to pick up your baby and say, "No thanks." It is YOUR baby, what are they going to do? Grab LO from out of your husband's arms?
Sorry your hospital has crappy policies. Hopefully you won't need a c/s at all

I agree with this. Also, can you talk to the OB beforehand and let them know you won't be letting your son leave the OR? Just make sure to have your DH or you stay polite and be firm about what you want.

And that policy is dumb - my MW put my first son on my chest after he came out, while I was still on the operating table (she was holding him also!). My DH then held him for the rest of the surgery - which kept him warm.

Good luck!

skio · January 2012

I don't buy the "it's too cold" excuse. Baby will be wrapped and held by daddy. I agree that you should play a little hardball. Talk to your OB about your plan to keep the baby with you while you are stitched so that you have him/her on your side. If there is no medical reason for the baby to go elsewhere, he/she should stay with his mother. It's the best thing for everyone.

That said, you won't be able to nurse until you're in recovery. You're flat on your back and not allowed to sit up at all or strain in any way. My arms were NOT restrained and I would've had something to say about it if they were. Stand your ground - change in how c/s deliveries are done can only come if strong women demand that their babies stay near them just like a vaginal birth. It has been proven safe (again, barring any medical need for baby to go elsewhere). GL!

cottonlily84 · January 2012

I would advocate more for not having a c/s and then you wouldn't have to worry about it

It's concerning to me your dr already seems to be doubting your ability to birth your baby. At my hospital babies are taken to the recovery room within the womens' OR suite with mom though I don't know how long they'll keep a baby in the OR since mine was taken to the NICU. I can understand them taking the baby out since the ORs are frigid cold, but they put babies in a warmer after birth anyway.

ar52kortlang · January 2012

I would send SO with the baby... You are lucky you know there is a chance, mine was completely unexpected! And I had to be knocked out for it so I was out of it. When you have a c section most of the time baby is taken out of the OR to be monitored.

momhardy · January 2012

The c-section is nothing to worry about. Talk to your doctor up front and make sure it's all laid out. I've had 2 c-sections. My husband took the baby out of the OR after I've seen them. I think it's nice for him to have a little time with them before I come to BF. Plus I've had them all to myself for the last 9 months so it gives him sometime with them. Rember it's just as important for dad to do skin to skin.

Don't worry in the end you'll have your baby and it'll all work out! Good Luck!

babymomma080912 · January 2012

I have had 2 previous c sections, the first time my husband got to hold our son near my head while i was being stitched up. The second time with our daughter, i didnt even get to see her, let alone hear her cry before she was gone, i was also never even told why she was whisked away so fast.. This time around I am really hoping baby can stay near me till i get to recovery.

But good luck momma and hopefully you dont need a c section

honkytonk_kid · January 2012

ar52kortlang:
I would send SO with the baby... You are lucky you know there is a chance, mine was completely unexpected! And I had to be knocked out for it so I was out of it. When you have a c section most of the time baby is taken out of the OR to be monitored.

Not necessarily. Actually, MOST of the time babies stay with mom in the OR. It depends on the hospital, and the circumstances of the c/s.

honkytonk_kid · January 2012

hopkins5:
If it's your hospital policy, there isn't much you can do, unfortunately. Regardless, I'd let all the doctors and nurses know ahead of time that you want to be with your baby as soon as possible. I wouldn't be too concerned about breastfeeding immediately, though. You have to wait for the freezing to wear off first. It took me about half an hour.
ETA: I see a PP mentioned "restraints." I've never heard of that before. I was told to lay my arms out wide, but they weren't held down by anything.

This is just absolutely not true. Sorry to sound like I'm bashing you, but this is the kind of attitude that keeps women going along with stupid, outdated policies. It is YOUR BABY. DH carrying baby out of the OR would be the absolute bare minimum I would accept. Unless your c/s was under general, or baby cannot be stabilized in the OR, there is absolutely no reason for mom and baby to be separated at all.

stormchasersbride · January 2012

Thanks for all the responses ladies. I feel much more prepared to advocate for the little one to stay in OR. I will talk to the OB if they determine I need a section. I am really fighting to have a vaginal birth, but if I end up needing a C-Section I feel much more prepared.

I will update in a few days, once my little guy is in my arms.

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