View Full Version : Helping deliver my own baby via c/section?
Mamaduke
14-07-2007, 12:34
I've been reading about women who helped deliver their own babies via c/section. From what I understand there are 2 cases of this in Australia, one in Perth and one in Queensland.
It involves the Mum scrubbing up and getting the gloves on, the ob gets the baby's head and shoulders out and then the screen is lowered and the Mum (guided by the ob) pulls the baby out gently straight onto her chest.
Isn't this fantastic?
It's something that mothers who deliver vaginally get to do all the time but it's not a very well known option for c/section Mums.
I would love to do this but I have a hubby who faints at the mere mention of the words incision &/or blood etc etc let alone a screen being lowered at that pivotal moment. I've tried to speak with him about it but he tenses up, squints his eyes and refuses to talk about it, accusing me of wanting to make him vomit (well I am, he might as well have a hurl or two!)
In all honesty, I think he would be fine with being the 60's type Dad, waiting in the waiting room until the nurse brings out a clean baby in a blanket for him to cuddle.
I would really love to do this but is it fair to have DH leave at that moment just so I can get what I want?
This is our last baby - I just want to feel involved, not just like a carcass laying there while they extract a baby from me.
Thoughts?
Shanaynay
14-07-2007, 12:37
Could he stand back a bit, so he is in the room, but just not near your head as usual?
I say go for it, it would be an amazing thing, and your last chance if your last baby.
Crazy Monkey
14-07-2007, 12:45
Mamaduke - that would be amazing if you could do that... maybe like phineas said, see if DH will turn around or move to another part of the room...
I say keep working on him...
Good luck
Mabe you could organise another bed to be right behind him ready for him to faint:p
That sounds awesome what a great thing to be able to do :yes:
Mamaduke
14-07-2007, 13:01
Mabe you could organise another bed to be right behind him ready for him to faint:p
That sounds awesome what a great thing to be able to do :yes:
With Lucas' birth he fainted when I screamed out "I can feel that!" as they were onto their last cut. Seemed like everyone leapt over to help him and then he was ushered out (dragged) by one of the nurses as I was being put under a general...DH and I are like our own little sitcom sometimes!
I'm with your DH MD - just reading incision and blood make me feel woozy.
I can't imagine helping in my own c-section and I can guarantee that I wouldn't and didn't help in DS'] birth - apart from the pushing thing. The thought of having a mirror, pulling him out etc :eek:
I need a Bex and a lie down now......
Mamaduke
14-07-2007, 13:10
I'm with your DH MD - just reading incision and blood make me feel woozy.
I can't imagine helping in my own c-section and I can guarantee that I wouldn't and didn't help in DS'] birth - apart from the pushing thing. The thought of having a mirror, pulling him out etc :eek:
I need a Bex and a lie down now......
:laughing: A Bex...you crack me up! :laughing:
HouseOfBlues
14-07-2007, 13:12
What an amazing idea!
I say go for it.:thumbsup:
It really is an amazing concept. I don't think it would of been for me though, I know what you mean about lying like a corpse and feeling helpless during a c-section.
With my last one I was quite happy to be a corpse as I fell asleep and was snoring on the operating table:sleeping: . They had to wake me up for the birth, I just wanted to sleep:laughing:
With Lucas' birth he fainted when I screamed out "I can feel that!" as they were onto their last cut. Seemed like everyone leapt over to help him and then he was ushered out (dragged) by one of the nurses as I was being put under a general...DH and I are like our own little sitcom sometimes!
:laughing: :laughing: at least it makes for a good story :p
nemosmum
14-07-2007, 13:22
Im with scout....I didnt want a mirror to be anywhere near me when in labour with my two kidlets
BUT I can understand your desire to be involved i would probably be the same if having a ceasar
Def. do it if its your wish....Im sure your dh will understand after all this is your body and your last chance to experience a birth :thumbsup:
Mamaduke
14-07-2007, 13:27
Here's Paula Beckton's birth story for anyone who's interested...
http://www.birthrites.org/OliverBS.html
MD - is your obstetrician likely to allow you to do it??
I was going to read the story you attached but saw something about head and shoulders being free and had to close it straight away. :o *woosy*
I think that if you can do it and want to do, then it is likely to be quite a positive experience for you. Does your DH get a say???
Apart from being queasy with that sort of stuff, and the thought of a mirror or pulling bubs out being terrifying - I was too busy watching a footy match and getting sms scores from my mum about a game going on in Adelaide. It was such a great birth.
punkbaby
14-07-2007, 16:48
Awesome idea just get him to face away from bubs though when its coming out let him focus on something perhaps your face etc, what a wonderful experience that would be!!
ButterflyMama
14-07-2007, 17:09
I think it would be great! How exciting! Do it! :yes:
I love the idea in theory, you know having control over it all but in practice ... *goes green around the gills*
Not because I have an aversion to blood or anything but I just don't want to handle my insides. I also don't want to see a great big incision (far nicer word that I would otherwise have used :laughing: ) across my belly. Heck, when they suggested a mirror for me, I pulled the sheets closer and ready to go over my head in case they didn't hear my very forceful "NOT A BLOODY CHANCE!"
If you want it, go for it. Surely your husband can just turn away at the time? And if he passes out, that's good too! :D
MrsMiggins
14-07-2007, 21:02
MD, I've been quite interested in assisted delivery for c/s too (I think it's called something like that). I'd love to hear about it if you do manage it.
From what I've read, it's not at all gory. In fact you see little more than you would were you just laying there, waiting for them to pull the baby out. How they manage that, I'm not sure.
I never looked too much into it for DS (largely I guess because I was hoping for a VBAC... oh well!), although any future bubs will have to be delivered via c/s, so I would certainly consider it if my hospital allowed it. They are quite progressive, so you never know!
I have no idea how I would bring it up with my DH though! He would think I was some weirdo & would refuse to even consider it!
Mamaduke
14-07-2007, 21:32
I have no idea how I would bring it up with my DH though! He would think I was some weirdo & would refuse to even consider it!
DH said to me (and I quote)...
"I'm not going in there if you're going to be doing freaky sh*t!"
like I said before - happy to be a 60's Dad pacing in the waiting room!
MrsMiggins
14-07-2007, 21:39
:laughing: :laughing::laughing:
I think my DH would say something more like "What?!! Why on earth would you even think about doing that?!!" (I can picture the exact look he'd have on his face too!! And it would be punctuated with a great deal of incredulous head-shaking!!)
brookeme
14-07-2007, 21:44
That does sound pretty good, I was 'pretty ripped off' and dissatisfied with both birth experiences, so I might be considering this too!
I had a gneral for both of my c/s, so its like I wasnt even there! Next time is going to be much better.
brookeme
14-07-2007, 21:45
:laughing: :laughing::laughing:
I think my DH would say something more like "What?!! Why on earth would you even think about doing that?!!" (I can picture the exact look he'd have on his face too!! And it would be punctuated with a great deal of incredulous head-shaking!!)I hear ya! I will have the exact same response!;)
Hi Carls (finally got Ollie off to sleep), after 2 c/s, morning sickness, and knowing how much you love gross stuff like pus and blood I think go for it, have DH sitting in a chair next to the bed holding your hand with a bucket by his side! Is it fair? Absolutely!
Ohh I always said that if I ever deicded to have another baby, it'd be my mission to find an OB that'd let me do this :D...I think its absolutely fantastic.
Oh and I sbsolutely dont think you're selfish for wanting to do this, even if it makes ur dh a bit woosy ...The way I see it, is if hes a real sissy boy like my dh, and is sooky about all the blood and gorey stuff, theres a chance he wont look when they show the baby to you anyway, because they lower the curtain, and if hes standing, he'd have to look away so he didnt see the incision anyways.
You may as well get the experience you want and be the one to help deliver your baby :D Sorry for rambling :o Hope it made sence.
Good luck finding an OB :)
reAllytee
14-07-2007, 22:14
Not something i could do but then in your situation who knows !
If you want it GO FOR IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :yes:
DH said to me (and I quote)...
"I'm not going in there if you're going to be doing freaky sh*t!"
like I said before - happy to be a 60's Dad pacing in the waiting room!
:laughing: Oh you poor DH! That's very funny.
Oh do it MD!!!:yes:
I think that would be fantastic, and your DH can turn away if he wants to.
Is your OB likely to be on board?
I've pm'd you with contact details of the QLD woman who had the first Aussie maternal assisted c/sec, and the name and contact details of her OB :thumbsup:
Mamaduke
19-07-2007, 21:30
I've pm'd you with contact details of the QLD woman who had the first Aussie maternal assisted c/sec, and the name and contact details of her OB :thumbsup:
Thanks becca - I've pm'ed you.
I just want to say that without women like becca74 here at bubhub I would never have known about anything like this (and/or VBAC) let alone considered it.
becca has opened my eyes to what a woman can do...and that's inspiring.
And what the medical fraternity can do...and that's frightening.
I'm not going to dwell on the past and the 'shoulda coulda woulda' but I'll be damned if I'm going to lay back like an insignificant carcass and let every decision be taken away from me this time around.
And to think only a couple of years ago I was "Doctor knows best...why would they possibly want to do the wrong thing by me and my baby?"
:yelclap: becca74 - you inspire me.
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