I had pretty much the same experience as Feeb. And was told that it was normal for my hospital to do it, for a muber of reasons, but mainly that was as it is too cold in the theatre, and I had both arms hooked up to machines and drips, and to be honest, I dont think I would have been capable of holding my baby in theatre... I got bad shakes at one point.
I had both boys on naked on my chest within 30 min after surgery, as they prioritise c-sect in recovery and get you back to the ward asap. (My hospital only has funding for a mw in recovery three day a week...). In fact, I got up to the ward before DH and DS the first time. I also did a breast crawl with both of them. DS2 has his the minute I got my hands on him, but DS1 it took a few days for me to do it, and it still worked. I feel I got my "bonding" with both of them from this...
I suggest that talking it through with the hospital might be a good way to gauge their willingness for you to have that skin to skin in surgery. Good Luck!!!
My DD was in breech position so I had a scheduled cs.
I too was concerned about getting skin to skin asap after birth. I mentioned it to my ob and he simply said "of course!" I think it depends on the hospital and certainly whether there are risks to either you or the bub arising from complications with the cs or otherwise.
Absent those complications I see no reason why you wouldn't get your skin to skin if you made the midwife aware that you want this.
My DD was brought to me after the initial check over by the paed, clearing of fluid in nose etc (i think they may have weighed her first as well). I remember thinking are the bringing her over yet but not being worried, knowing that they were just doing what needed to be done! Surreally I laid there feeling relieved (cause I could hear her crying - god that still brings a tear to my eye!!!) and started to concentrate on the tugging sensations I felt as my ob and the assistant removed the placenta and did the suction. All of a sudden I was exhausted!
Then they brought DD over and my gown had suddenly disappeared (I can't remember that happening) and she was laid across my chest. She had a little beanie on and was wrapped in a blanket but the blanket was opened at the front so we had skin to skin.
The sheet screen was still up (it was lowered when DD was pulled out of the womb so DH and I could see her arrival - I didnt know they were going to do that so that was amazing!) but whether it was cramped or not I didnt notice. You are really only focused on one thing - your baby!
I am sure it was only a few minutes, but I really can't remember! However long it was I know I was happy with the time spent and felt that connection with her straight away.
I was very thankful for this because she was taken to ICU after the birth due to excess fluid, breathing irregularities etc but was with me again in our hospital room within two hours of being taken away.
Make your wishes known and I am sure that if it is safe for you and bub there will be no issues with you getting to hold your baby!
Thanks girls...I guess I will write it up into my birth plan, I think if you say thats what you want!!!!, versus what you would like!!!! you are more likely to get it. We have had lots of problems this pregnancy and I really feel that need to get her straight away or within a few minutes unless of course there is a problem which I accept..
Last CS was good except she was wrapped, otherwise they had her back to me within minutes and DD and DH got to stay with me the whole time...I would prefer that skin on skin straight up, but if not I can accept that my last experience was pretty good overall.
Thanks again...Pam
Simply demand that your baby be with you. You are paying this dr to provide you with a service, demand that they provide you with the service you require or seek a different care provider.
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