Skin to Skin in C-Section

I haven't had direct skin to skin contact after my last two c-section, I actually wasn't aware of the benefits until now... is it possible after a c-section? how soon after? will the hospital allow it?

I believe we talk about this in about 3 weeks with the midwife but I would like to be prepared...

I had skin to skin and b'fed in recovery with DD, it was great and then with DS I just held him in recovery and he wasn't fussing at all so I was happy to wait until I got back to my room which was about an hour later. Then we did a breast crawl as best as we could with me in pain from the c.s. It is possible - some people have skin to skin in theatre - just depends on your hospital.

I also had skin to skin and first BF in recovery, I was happy with this because after DD was born, I got really shaky and couldn't have held her anyway whereas in recovery I felt heaps better and was able to focus more on her and enjoy the skin to skin. Granted, I was a little overwhelmed but it was such a lovely experience and so easy, the midwives just asked me straight away, I didn't have to prompt or anything.

i have held all my babies in theatre but because it is cold they have been wrapped. i actually got a gooey cuddle with ds3 in theatre before they wrapped him though! i have had skin to skin with all of them in recovery

i haven't had skin-to-skin in either theatre or recovery :(
I am hoping that if/when i get preggers next time round and have another c-section i get this opportunity :D

I had skin to skin contact and breastfed DD in recovery.
I was told I was only able to do this as I was the last C/S for the day, so the theatre nurse was able to bring DD to me.


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I had skin-to-skin contact with DD2 in theatre and recovery, she pretty much didn't leave my side most of the day apart from being weighed. They put her inside my gown to help keep her warm.

I didn't get any at all with DD1

In the hospital I am at. Every bubs and mom gets skin to skin right after birth, weight ect does not happen until bubs is back in the room with us, after recovery.
This is standard practice for my OB. Mention you want it. It is your choice. : )

I was able to have s2s with dd2 in theatre, I didn't even think of it but the mw was just suddenly there moving my gown out of the way to put her in there on my chest then a blankie over us to keep her warmer. I remember with dd1 the mw kept insisting I hold dd but considering i couldn't feel my arms or move them, i was scared i would drop her so dh had s2s with her. the mw started stripping his top half like she would do for new mummies and he held her for a little while but he was scared she wasnt warm enough & wrapped her (& covered his nakedness up haha)

I had skin to skin with DS in theatre. I specifically requested it. I wanted him with me in his naked gooey state. I also said I didn't want him going to the resus table and being suctioned etc unless it was absolutely necessary. As soon as DS was born the OB bought him up close enough for me to touch his little foot then pased him to the midwife who bought him to me for skin to skin. The arguement for wrapping them up tightly is usually that the theatre is cold but nothing will keep bub warmer than having him skin to skin with you receiving your body heat and with a heated blanket over both of you.
Good Luck :)

PS: here's a link to my birth story if youre interrested ;)
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...-birth-143250/

Does anyone know of any good websites on the benefits of skin to skin contact?

Hi Danielle, here is a link to a youtube vid on a group of people who practice very good women centred c/s. YouTube - The natural caesarean: a woman-centred technique

Have a look. That is what you should be aiming for or whatever parts about that you like. Trying to think of one good site for skin to skin is hard because it is just such a known thing that skin to skin benefits babies. Type it into google and see what you find. Different hospitals have different policies but you can discuss it with them. If it is something you really want, only consent to a c/s under the conditions that you are comfortable with. Good luck with that Danielle. and remember it is your body and your baby. The only people who have to ask permission to do things with it are people other than you and that goes for your baby too. It is your baby. IF you say categorically that your baby is not to be taken from you then to do so is against the law. Having a plan and knowing what you want it the first step. Knowing what the place you will birth at is the second. Once you know where you both stand you can discuss what you would like.

Good luck

Bella

Thank you so much for sharing that you tube clip Bella... I felt like crying the whole way though... do they practice this technique in Australia? I'm starting to regret my body and my birth canal for taking the option of a natural birth from me... my first labour failed to progress due to my birth canal being the wrong shape... I feel like I'm missing out on something special and it's really starting to get me down

praying for the skin to skin that your heart desires!

Oh Dannielle....

I am so sad to hear you say that. I wanted to ask you why you were having your third c/s, but I don't want to question your decisions because I believe in supporting womens choices. Having said that I wonder if you knew that the diagnosis of PCD, or pelvic cephalic disproportion (or head to big for birth canal) is the best indicator that there is that you could actually have a successful VBAC if you were encouraged to try? It is what is told to many many many women and it is a lie... I am not sure if that was what was told to you or what your circumstances are. Have you ever spoken to midwife about what happened during your last labour? Has anyone ever been thru your notes with you? I noticed that you live in Brisbane and so if you were my best friend I would suggest that you go an meet the women at Birthtalk. They run birth education out of Toowong, but what I believe that they do even better is they run birth debriefing for women. So women come to them after 20 years still hurting, some come after birth. Some come to try to process what is happening for them as they approach their next birth. here is their link Birthtalk.org

I can't tell you that you can have a VBA2C, but if there is any doubt in your mind have a look at the ICAN websites.. This is a great article about CDP Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD) | International Cesarean Awareness Network It talks about how rare it is for a womans pelvis to be unable to give birth thru and generally the reason for absolute CDP are thru a pelvic injury like a fracture or if you had severe malnutrition as a child like rickets... Both of which is extremely rare. Anyway that is just a small amount of info. I am a birth advocate on the sunshine coast. If you would like support to have a great c/s or if you would like to talk about your previous labours and discuss what you have been told about your pelvis I am here for you.

I hate to think of your sadness or that you feel that your body is letting you down. Your body is beautiful and perfect as it is. You obviously grow beautiful boys and sometimes the problem isn't a womans body but the support she receives. Whatever your circumstances I hope that you can have a wonderful empowering birth this time

Love Bella

Oh and yes some places practice like that in Australia. Which hospital are you going to in Brissy?

I'm at the Mater Womans.

My first birth was a failed induction with an excellent midwife however I have not got birth notes from this birth. Hayden did not progress down the birth canal at all. Born 9 pound 4.

My second birth my waters broke before my booked csection but he got stuck in the birth canal and had to be pulled back up with the forceps. Born 9 pound.

Both my boys have large heads, this one is also measuring large In his head & tummy (esimated via scan).

The other reason for c section this time is that I got necrotitis fasciitis in my c section wound and the scar had to close from the inside out.

Recently I got to the stage where I thought if he came early I'd be able to try for a VBAC cause he'd be smaller than my last two, but there is no way I'd want to risk his arrival on my issues.