Hey hun,
I've been following your threads, but didn't really have anything to add.
Surgery and gastrochisis I do know about.
It really is better for your bub to be delivered via the sun roof with an issue like this. Birth can be very traumatic and can pull on things that in you bub's case do not need to be pulled on and traumatised. They will need to ensure that bub's bowels don't completely disembowel nor dry out or drop bubs temp after birth, that's why they want to get bub covered straight away. A c/section and immediate assessment will prevent (hopefully) further bowel troubles for bub later on in life. Plastic sounds awful but in terms of protecting and maintaining body heat, it's the best thing. It won't be any old glad wrap, it will be specialist and sterilized.
I also think it would be a great idea for you to get into contact with some other mums of gastro bubs. The Royal Children's hossy should be able to put you in touch with a support group or at least in contact with some other mums for some help.
ETA your bub will need some medical intervention. As much as I would love to say it will be your choice, your bubba will need help.
I agree with *star* that you need to find out why they want to perform a c/s so that you can make an informed decision. It's your baby and your body so ask as many questions as you want so that you understand the reasons behind their decisions. I had an elective c/s because after weighing up all the pros and cons of a baby in breech I decided for me that was how I wanted to proceed. And it turned out to be the right decision I feel because of the position DD was in. But I did ask a lot of questions and made sure I understood everything before I made the decision.
As for a cuddle afterwards, they do whisk bub away for a couple of minutes to check their vitals but then DD was placed directly on my chest and we have pictures of DD on me with my DH with us too. I also had my c/s at the Royal Women's in Melbourne and the staff were so lovely. They took pictures for us so we could cuddle and look at our baby.
Thanks again, everyone.
I've come to terms with the fact I'll need a C/S. Gastroschisis, small bub, low fluid, placenta aging too fast, and a breech baby (who, I believe, has no intention of turning around. been breech for over 9 weeks now) all point to a C/S.
I've been thinking and I really need to talk to Melbourne about all of this. Because there are some things that I'd like to know, for example-- where my scar will be? can I watch them pull bub out of my stomach? And a few other things.
I'd love to watch bub be pulled out, I think that would be awesome.
I've read about maternal assisted c/s and if I ever needed one in the future I'd try and go for that option.
Off to Melbourne today, appointments tomorrow so hopefully I get a good doctor that I can talk to.
Charlotte, the only tip I can give you is to sit down today and write out all the questions you want to ask - keep it in a little notepad and keep it with you so if something pops into your head you can write it down straight away before you forget. When you get into the Dr's appointment, it will be easy to forget half the questions you want to ask so it's important that you write them down and take them with you because this is the type of situation where you need to know everything you can about the birth, the condition you can expect him to be born in (will he be a bit poorly etc) so not only do you know what to expect, but also prepare yourself for how you are going to deal with it kwim, and also what will happen after the birth with his surgery and his stay in hospital etc. Perhaps even try to find out who the surgeon will be that will do the op so you can talk to them and find out what happens. If it were me, I'd want to know all of this now so I can be fully informed because once you have the c/s, you won't be very mobile and you may not feel mentally up for having a detail conversation about medical things like this.
Good luck and I'm sure that both you and your little boy will be just fine And make sure you keep us up to date with how you are going.
Hi Charlotte,
I'm having a scheduled cs at the Royal Womens' in 4 weeks time and so far I have found that the doctors have been fantastic in explaining every step of the process, right down to what my partner has to do (hold my hand, tell someone if he is going to faint and go with baby while I get sewn up). As I understand it skin to skin contact is not allowed in theatre as it is too cold for the baby, but they do bring them up to you to touch and cuddle if possible. They have been so happy to answer any questions we have had and it has all been very reassuring. I had a meeting with an anaesthetist where you can discuss any fears about having a spinal and what happens on the day. I agree with the others to take along a list of questions, but if you are seeing the same team we did for our baby's complications (MFM unit) we found they offered a lot of support.
Best of luck to you.
Andrea
Hi Charlotte,
I had a scheduled c/s with my daughter due to her being in a breech position. It was 2 months before my 18th birthday, so I can Imagine how you feel!
I had an epidural/spinal and stayed awake for the procedure and my partner was right by my side the whole time. It only takes about 15mins for bub to be out then the rest of the prcedure may take up to about 30mins. After they pulled her from my stomach she was taken to a table at the side to make sure her throat was clear and wiped her, etc. After that they laid her on my chest while I was still being operated on for me to have a hold. I was a bit shaky (freaking out) and numb at the time so I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have, but I was able to hold her straight away. They then handed her to my husband and wheeled me off to recovery room, and soon brought the baby into me where I breastfeed and cuddled with her for the first time.
C/s isn't the best thing to go through for mother and baby, and this time I am really pushing for a VBAC (vaginal birth after c/s), but they are sometimes the safest thing for the both of you. I'm sure the doctors and midwives present at your op will do everything they possibly can to make it the safest and best experience that it can be for you and your baby. I wish you all the best luck for a healthy and beautiful baby, which I'm sure you will have!
I have watched a doco where a baby was delivered (by c/s i think?) who had gastrochisis, where the whole bowel was on the outside of the body, and they wrapped it in plastic as the baby can out and they allowed the mother to have a quick hold and cuddle before the bub was took for his op. So hopefully you may be able to as well.
*Also don't be surprised if your baby turns around from a breech position, my first was breech and due to me having a bicornuate uterus or 'heart-shaped' uterus, which makes it hard for a breech baby to turn around, and at 34-35 weeks into this pregnancy my baby turned around!! So have faith! Good Luck xx
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And make sure you keep us up to date with how you are going.
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