C-section birth plan questions

Stasi · May 2012

Hi ladies!

I'm not having a planned c-section for the birth of my baby, but I would like to have a short birth plan together just in case something occurs that would warrent me to have one. I have no idea on what to ask for specifically? I'm guessing whether DH can be present, what kinds of meds I would want for pain afterward, breastfeeding and bonding as soon as possible...thats all I can think of so far.

Can anyone who has had a c-section or who planning on having one offer some advise?

Thanks so much!!

juliane2004 · May 2012

I didn't think about it for my first baby, since it was an emergency c/s, but here's the one I did for DS (all of it, not just applicable to c/s - also applicable for post-birth):

Anesthesia
- Catheter inserted AFTER anesthesia.

During the Procedure
- Prefer arms to not be strapped down.
- If possible, I would like to HOLD the baby, not just be near him after he is born.
- Would like someone to take a family photo of the three of us.

Newborn Procedures
- Baby?s blood sugar checked ASAP.
- Baby to be fed by Similac Alimentum formula ONLY.
- Baby to be given pacifier supplied by mom or dad ONLY.
- Would like husband to stay with new baby at all times.

Post-Op & Recovery
- Request to be allowed to stand/walk as soon as possible, whenever it is safe.
- Request to be told what I can do to aid in recovery (example: drink lots of water to urinate enough to be allowed to have catheter removed ASAP).
- Would like to have all allowed drugs (Tylenol, Advil, Colace, etc) as often/frequently as allowed, without waiting for my request.
- Would like to have the IV removed ASAP.
- Would like catheter removed ASAP.

eav2c · May 2012

juliane2004:
I didn't think about it for my first baby, since it was an emergency c/s, but here's the one I did for DS (all of it, not just applicable to c/s - also applicable for post-birth):

Anesthesia
- Catheter inserted AFTER anesthesia.

During the Procedure
- Prefer arms to not be strapped down.
- If possible, I would like to HOLD the baby, not just be near him after he is born.
- Would like someone to take a family photo of the three of us.

Newborn Procedures
- Baby?s blood sugar checked ASAP.
- Baby to be fed by Similac Alimentum formula ONLY.
- Baby to be given pacifier supplied by mom or dad ONLY.
- Would like husband to stay with new baby at all times.

Post-Op & Recovery
- Request to be allowed to stand/walk as soon as possible, whenever it is safe.
- Request to be told what I can do to aid in recovery (example: drink lots of water to urinate enough to be allowed to have catheter removed ASAP).
- Would like to have all allowed drugs (Tylenol, Advil, Colace, etc) as often/frequently as allowed, without waiting for my request.
- Would like to have the IV removed ASAP.
- Would like catheter removed ASAP.

Great advice... Make sure that you get that family of 3 picture. Seriously, things go so quickly in there that there is hardly enough time to think. We didn't get one (emergency c-section and I stupidly didn't have a birth plan) and it is my BIGGEST regret. Our first real family picture came days later... If there is one thing I always tell my friends after my experience is that make sure there is someone who can capture that first moment as a family of 3.

jb2rn · May 2012

Hi, I didn't expect my c section, but when the decision was made to go to the OR, here is what was important to US:

-if baby needed to go to NICU, dh went with him

-no sugar water, bottles, paci's if he needed to go to NICU

-baby on Mom's chest ASAP in recovery to BF and do skin to skin, Dad holds baby until Mom can

those were my big ones. good for you for thinking of a plan B! Best of luck for an easy delivery!

nealbl · May 2012

I felt pretty good with the way things went with my emergency Csection. So here are things I would want to repeat

Arms not strapped down

Hold baby as soon as possible. LO needed some oxygen and suction for about 3 min but then DH brought her to me and they took our picture.

Someone to explain the whole time what is happening. My anesthesiologist was amazing and stood by me the whole time telling me everything that was happening.

DH carries baby to nursery for bath, weight ect.

Baby is brought to me as quickly as possible while I am in recovery. I requested to see her after about 30 min and they were ok with that. This time I will make it known ahead of time that baby is brought back to me quickly, plus DH will be there to remind them. I was ok with her going to the nursery for the things they needed to do. I needed to get stapled up and DH talks about the moment he got to carry her down the hallway all the time. It is a moment he will never forget and I am ok that he got that moment. They took a picture of him carrying her and the look on his face makes me tear up everytime. He was soooo proud.

Besides that I can't think of too much else. It was kind of a whirlwind since it was emergency but I felt like it went really smoothly and I was not disappointed with my birthing experience.

rockychryslerb2010 · May 2012

I had a scheduled c-section (well, scheduled 3 days before I had E), and here is what I wish I would have thought about:

1 - explain what you are doing with the spinal. That was the scariest part for me, and I think part of it was because they were messing with my spine and I had no idea what exactly they were doing

2 - tell me when LO is born, if he can't be by me immediately, at least show him to me before taking him to the warmer

3 - place warmer by my head so I can see him while they are finishing up with me

I had a good experience with everything else - my arms weren't strapped, DH, E and I all went to recovery together, so I was able to do skin to skin and breastfeed within 45 min of E being born.

homediva · June 2012

I had an unplanned csection. Next time I will ask for:

-skin to skin contact as soon as possible

-dad to call out the sex!!!

cmytutu · June 2012

This was mine. I attached it to 2 dozen doughnuts. They read it and stuck to it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. We truly appreciate your efforts.

We would like the mother to have a Spinal for the procedure.

Please put the catheter in place after the spinal is complete.

In the operating room, we would like only Mother and Father.

(My name here) would like a verbal play-by-play from the nurse.

(My name here) would like to wear her own gown if possible.

We do not want a mirror to view the procedure. No screen dropping is necessary.

Please leave one of (My name here) arms free while in the operating room. (They did not do this)

(My husband's name here) does not wish to cut the chord.

We have no preference of music or level of chatter during the procedure.

Please take as many pictures wherever and whenever anyone can. You can obtain a camera form (My husband's name here).

Please feel free to clean the baby and perform any necessary tests before handing him to the new parents.

We do not want to view or save the placenta.

(My name here) would like dissolving sutures or glue. (Dr. did not do this, but I'm glad)

We would like the father to accompany the baby if he must be transferred to another facility.

Please remove (My name here) catheter as soon as possible. She would like to attempt to walk.

We would like to stay on top of all pain with oral or IV medications as needed.

We would like the baby to be in the nursery during the nights and in our room during the days.

During post-op procedures the baby should be with (My husband's name here) or hospital nurses.

(My name here) will not be breastfeeding; therefore the use of formula is authorized and encouraged.

Please do not use pacifiers.

We welcome all visitors unless otherwise indicated.

We would like our son circumcised.

Want a personalized experience?

C-section birth plan questions

Re: C-section birth plan questions

Choose Another Board

Search Boards