I promise you you can hold your baby straight away. I have pictures of it on facebook of when DD2 was born (july 09) if you want to have a look. just seach for ryatha and when you request my friendship, let me know who you are.

What they did was ... DD2 was taken out and checked out by the paed on the baby station. DH cut her cord and she was semi wrapped up. Then they brought her over to me and was unwrapped and placed naked onto my stripped chest. We had about half hour skin to skin contact where she breast crawled and had her first BF there and then. A warmed blanket was placed over both of us and DH's hand stayed on her back as well.

It was wonderful and very easy thing to do. It was a bit cramped with the screen and all the wires but it just involved a couple of people helping (ie nurses and the anethetist) to help keep her in the right place. If you want more info, just let me know.