So today I was lucky enough....

[blessedatlast]

To go to theatre and be present for 2 c sections and a laporoscopy It was so interesting and it was such a privilege to be present for these babies births. Anyway, I was hoping I wouldn't be traumatised and I am a bit, but only because the bubs were delivered and taken to be checked by the doc, then wrapped up before being given to Mum.. If it were me I would have wanted skin to skin ASAP... Anyway.... I started a thread a while ago about forceps being used in C sections, here So I got to have my question answered.. 1st C section bub was pulled out with HANDS and I though Yay! 2nd one though, I saw the Dr struggle a bit to get Bub out and sure enough he used forceps. It was really quick though and as soon as bub was easy to hold he did, so although not ideal, I think they must only be used if Bub is really hard to get and it's not like they bub is being held by forceps for long.. So... I'm just praying that little Button will be low and easy for Dr to grab! I still don't like the idea of cold metal being the introduction to the outside world!

[jax]

I am having a section in 4 weeks due to previa and have asked for both skin to skin and 1min delay cord clamping and have been told flat out no. Too cold in theatre and no we dont delay clamping for sections Really hoping forceps wont be used as well.

[Danielle_NZ]

I was told I could have immediate skin to skin in theater. Although I asked for baby to be checked over first and cleaned a little, but that was a personal choice. I brought it up once in a OB appointment but can't remember how that went but the midwives on the day said it's the norm and of course I could have the skin to skin as long as baby was ok

[Me+him+bub]

i didnt get skin to skin, i didnt even get to hold him they wrapped him up worked on him a bit, wasnt breathing well apparently, "showed" him to me as they walked past and then my DF left to be with him in special care as his sugar was a little low, and I was left there being stitched up all alone with strangers, I didn't even get a picture with him they said to me they dont allow any of that at this particular hospital, all c section bubs go straight to special care to be checked then u see them back at your room, I didnt see him again for approx 3 hours, please make sure u DEMAND to hold your bub and at least have a photo!

[jax]

i will push it more and bring it up with the midwives as i have heard of lots of people getting skin to skin.

[Snacks]

i will push it more and bring it up with the midwives as i have heard of lots of people getting skin to skin.

Surely they could place a blanket over you both as you cuddle? That's how they've done it in the birthing suites for my VBs. It's cold in there too.

[forshelby]

They used forceps to deliver my DS during a c/s. I could hear them panicking a bit, and when they asked for forceps I wanted to scream. My sweet little boy was torn out of me in the worst way possible, and ended up with a little bruise on his cheek. I don't doubt that it was traumatic for him. I was upset by it and I knew what was going on, so I can only imagine what it was like for him to be separated from me in that manner. Poor little muffin.

[Teeki]

Wow Blessed, what an incredible experience that would have been! Granted I probably would've fainted almost immediately lol, but I'm guessing training to be a nurse you're a little more into it Also good to hear the forceps seemed to be only as required and only quick. I'll be hoping little Button is nice and low and easy to get out for you!

Jax, I'd bring it up again too if I were you. I'm going to a very small local hospital, and they're very accommodating. The midwives have told us that if a c-section is needed, they'll still try to adhere to our birth plan as much as possible - skin to skin contact immediately (as Snacks said, just with a blanket over both Mum & bub same as with a vaginal birth - I can't imagine it would be so much colder in theatre than the delivery room) and delayed cord clamping if possible. She did say the cord may need to be cut, because it may not reach over the sheet thingy to get bubs to mum

[Me+him+bub]

I am all for skin to skin, I want it too with this bub, but theatre is MUCH more colder, this is on purpose to help prevent infection and bacteria as they can't thrive in a cold climate, having said that, it wouldnt kill them to pop a blanket over the bub, and its not like its for half an hour. i wish this would be a more common practice like they have with VB births.

[Kmn]

I had a straightforward c-section. Bub came out, went to the paediatrician for a minute, and then was wrapped in a blanket and placed on my chest. I could hold him and talk to him while they stitched me up. And he just looked at DH and I as if to say "who on earth are you?".
You need to remember that having an anaesthetic also screws up Mum's ability to maintain temperature a bit, so it's probably not a great idea to rely on that to keep bub stable. And the theatres are chilly!

[blessedatlast]

The Mamas did get to hold their bub for a while but it wasn't immediately. Although it only took the paed probably 2 mins to check bub before wrapping and passing to Mum, it seemed to me like a lifetime.. Then bub went to recovery with Mum but the middy took bub there and weighed them etc.. I know I have said this before but I can't possibly explain how traumatised I am from my experience of having prems that any second separated is going to affect me..

Jax - I was going to ask about delayed cord clamping too. I'll be asking about skin to skin too, I'll push more for skin to skin. Royal womens hospital are real advocates for it. When I first held the twins they really encouraged skin to skin, even with DP.. A shame I didn't get to hold Taite til he was 9 days old and Seth til 11 days old I'm grateful I got to hold them at all though..

Kaytee - I was so excited just to be going to watch a surgical procedure, but to get to witness that was a privilege . The nurses warned me if I felt faint just get close to the floor lol. I knew I wouldn't faint though, I can easily deal with stuff like that.

Forshelby - That sounds awful

Me+him+bub - That totally sux they take the bubs to special care. there is no need for that, unless Bub's health is actually compromised somehow.

[RainbowBrite]

I know I have said this before but I can't possibly explain how traumatised I am from my experience of having prems that any second separated is going to affect me..

I truly understand the trauma.
I really, really hope you get the birth you want, you deserve it.
I don't have any experience with full term c=section but want to wish you the very best.

[Ahurani]

I can kind of understand but in the end..

People should be blessed that their child is alive, breathing, healthy.. they have their whole lives to cuddle.

[blessedatlast]

Ahurani, - I agree, but the separation will bring up so much trauma. I had babies who had to be separated from me to try and keep them alive, if I am lucky enough to have a baby who doesn't need intervention, there is no reason to be separated and I don't like the fact that we could be because of 'hospital policy'.

Rainbowbrite - I am just hoping this will be a full term c section

[Fleur]

I think in a scheduled CS you will have more options. And mine was an emergency CS, and he didn't go to SCN so it might depend on the hospital. If you have a student mid with you BAL you might also have more scope for things like skin to skin? worth asking about

[Jakabella]

Both my c-sect and my VBAC were in the theatre and both times bub was pulled out and placed on my bare chest and warmed blankets put on top of us. After a good 15 mins or so they were taken and checked and weighted and wrapped. So it is possible!

[blessedatlast]

Both my c-sect and my VBAC were in the theatre and both times bub was pulled out and placed on my bare chest and warmed blankets put on top of us. After a good 15 mins or so they were taken and checked and weighted and wrapped. So it is possible!

There you go! Thats what I'll be pushing for. Did you have to ask for skin to skin or did they just do it?

Fleur - Yeah I'm hoping a planned c section will take the trauma out of it..

[jax]

I can not agree more that healthy Mum and Bub at the end is most important. I also can understand Bless that it any second away from you will be so hard.

I don't know why I am feeling so stressed about them taking my baby even for a second, maybe I need to talk it out with someone. I KNOW what is important I just can't seem to get my head around the whole thing and I feel all control has been taken from me. This is my baby and my body and nobody wants to listen. Sorry that is my sook over.