Skin-to-skin contact after caesarean?

[petster]

Hi guys

Just wondering how many of you who have had caesareans, had skin-to-skin contact with bub immediately afterwards?

Bub 1 was born by emergency caesarean and was taken away and wrapped before being given to me to hold.

I'm trying for a VBAC this time (I'm 36 weeks), but realize a caesarean is a possibility. I have been assured that if all is well with the bub, I will be able to hold bub immediately after the caesarean,and whilst they cut the cord... What have others experienced?

Cheers!

Miranda

[bekkyboo]

i was told that this was able to happen for me. I was also told that bub and hub can stay with me in recovery. But alas - idiots and a communication stuff up meant i didnt hold G till he was 2 hours old...

[becca74]

You should be able to, and make sure this is communicated extremely strongly to the staff. There is really no reason why bubs should ever leave you once he/she has come out of your body (unless there is an obvious medical indication, which they must explain to you fully).

Birthrites has some great ideas: http://www.birthrites.org/caesarean.html

I have heard 2 birth stories where the mother is actually able to reach over and help pull their babys from their bodies....I just have to try and track them down....:detective:

[Lila]

i did at my last.
i wrote a birth plan and NAGGED all of the staff (middies/ obs/docs/ana) to have a look at it...
it means to SPEAK UP and say what you WANT

it is possible- i got lifted up by the ana. to see my son being pulled out of my tummy- kissed him immediatly- and had him NAKED on my naked chest!!! i fed him while still in theatre and they waited with all their measuring and stuff until I was ready ( or well i was about to throw up- so i handed bubby over to dh...LOL)

good luck
and birthrites is a GREAT site - thanks becca :thumbsup:

[MrsMiggins]

I had discussed this with an OB before my C/S last year, although being in a public hospital, the OB I spoke with about it was different to the one who actually performed my C/S.

Although I had it clearly stated in my birth plan that I wished to have skin-to-skin contact with my bub once delivered, she was wrapped & I was allowed to hold her, abeit very awkwardly & with the help of DH, due to my hands & arms being all covered in tubes etc. I did ask about it, although I could feel it was quite cold in the operating room, and also that it would have been next to impossible considering how things were set up.

Also, I was meant to have DH & DD in recovery with me, however just as we were about to go in, they had an emergency with another patient in there & so DH & DD were sent up to the ward while I was in recovery.

[MilkOnTap]

Great thread! This is something that I want too. I think its so important to have that bond with bub straight away and I dont want to have to wait for hours (yes, minutes will seem like hours) before I get to hold my first child... After 9 months of being pregnant and going through this that and the other, I DEFINITELY want it MY WAY! lol

[chameleon]

No I didn't. My bub was rushed out into Special Care and I didn't get to see her for eight hours because they forgot I hadn't seen her. As for actually holding her, well that was after 4 days, but only because of being in Special care.
And as for having them in recovery with me, well they wouldn't let DH in, so he stood at the door and waited for me. I would hope if I had another c-section it might be a different!

[danielle13]

When Ezaria was born they didn't even SHOW her to me! I stole a glimpse as they whisked her out of theatre into the little room outside, where they checked her apgar and wrapped her. They brought her back in after about 5 mins and handed her to her dad, I didn't get a hold until at least 2 hours later :no:
I don't think I would have been able to hold her anyway, due to all the tubes, cords and shaking!

[Julie Doula]

Definitely, make your wishes plain on your birth plan and ask that all staff read it and give their consent BEFORE you agree to the surgery.

If they take the baby and wrap it, just out of routine and habit, that's your cue to say, "I specified in my birth plan that I wanted my baby handed straight to me for immediate skin-to-skin bonding. Please unwrap the baby now, and let the baby lie on my bare chest. Thank you."
You can speak up for your preferences, what is important to you. The more women who do, the more the instutionalized staff will learn about what birthing women really want and need.
Some women & their partners find it easier to clarify what they really want (and don't want) with the help of a doula or birth attendant, who helps you to write it down during the pregnancy and gives you that moral support to speak up and stand up for what you want when you're actually in the situation and feel like you're just being snowballed along with the system.

I heard that the oxytocin that is released during birth peaks just as the baby is born - it had two special effects - it promotes warm loving feelings that promote bonding, and also it enlarges the blood vessels in the mother's chest to create a natural warming pad for the baby! With you is the best place for the baby to be.

Those two hours after birth should never never be taken from you and your baby. They are yours. You can have this. It's your right. It's your baby's right.

Best wishes!

[MummyCharmzy]

#1 was rushed away to NICU without even seeing him and I got to go there almost 48 hours after he was born and met him for the first time

#2 was taken, checked, weighed, wrapped and heated and then i got skin to skin contact as much as poss but she was prem so they limited it to keep her under the heat lamp

#3 was delivered rapt and handed to me and dp :D:D And came to recovery with me and breastfeed :D yayyyyy

[poodysmum]

Unfortunately I didnt get to hold Isaac till I was back in my room. But at the end of the day, we still bonded even if there wasnt that immediate contact.:)

Alli