Anyone had a 'natural' Caesarean?

[Tranquilitybaby]

Had anyone requested this and it been agreed?

I like the thought of delayed cord clamping, breastfeeding whilst still in theatre etc as never had the opportunity before. I've got a consultant appt in 4 weeks at 20 weeks to book my ELCS date in, so thought I'd raise it then.

Would love to hear of your experiences. Thanks

[OrangesJuicyOranges]

I've been told that skin to skin is a policy if the hospital I'm going to for mine. They get the baby to you immediately unless they need treatment, in which case they show you the baby and then take it off for resuscitation, or whatever, and then get it back to you. I'd have thought delayed cord clamping would be tricky - what do they do? Remove the placenta and leave it lying out? I've not heard of this being a possibility.

[BikeRunSki]

What you described happended to me for me first Emcs anyway. 2nd time was a crash section under GA, not sure what happened. DH was given the baby and left in a corridor. Not sure if he did skin to skin.

[blackteaplease]

Wouldn't delayed cord clamping be an infectionand bleeding risk? You would be laid there with your wound open under anesthetic It takes a while to stitch all of the layers back together. Not sure you would get agreement for that.

[Tranquilitybaby]

I did gave skin to skin with my last section but was asked if I want to bf until in recovery.

I didn't think it would either but apparently it's something that is available now. I just wonder if anyone on MN had requested it.

[blackteaplease]

Actually ignore that. Just realised they would remove the placenta.

[Gautami]

I had a normal planned section. I don't know about the cord clamping, but the baby was placed skin to skin. Didn't feed him in theatre as he just fell asleep after gazing up at us for a few minutes, but fed him shortly after getting on the ward.

It was lovely. Nice and calm.

[Tranquilitybaby]

Delayed cord clamping is becoming more the norm in natural deliveries and the article I've been reading stares it's as beneficial for sections too.

[Tranquilitybaby]

*states

[OrangesJuicyOranges]

I agree that delayed cord clamping sounds like the best thing to aim for - but how on earth does that happen in a caesarean? I'd love to know as I'd like to ask for it ifs it a real, practical possibility.

[kilmuir]

None of my babies needed breastfeeding straight after delivery

[Gautami]

nice article here about natural sections.

[Tranquilitybaby]

It looks amazing doesn't it. Not sure I'd want to go the whole gig of drape down etc as I have a squeamish husband but the delayed cord clamping and its benefits interest me a lot. I'll ask my consultant and see if it's a possibility.

[Gautami]

I asked to be able to see it, but they said no. Admittedly I only asked as they were about to cut.

dh was very relieved

[Tranquilitybaby]

lol guatami, my DH wouldve fainted at the sheer idea of it! Great article thanks. I found this too which I'm going to show my consultant.

www.networks.nhs.uk/nhs-networks/southern-west-midlands-newborn-network/documents/SWMNN%20-%20Delayed%20Cord%20Cutting.pdf

[Gautami]

That's really interesting Tranquility and something I would be interested in pursuing if I were to have another one.

Keep us posted with how you get on.

[BeanCalledPickle]

I asked questions around this and was told it's rather up to the surgeon at the time. It's their room and their call and ultimately up to them to control the surgical environment. Some things were fine eg my own cd but ultimately it was made clear to me that this wasn't my chance to dictate how an operation would take place. No chance they were going to dim the lights etc

[Tranquilitybaby]

I will do of course.

Oh no Bean, I wouldnt be militant about it, I'm sure they'll be fine with the breastfeeding, it's more the cord clamping I'd like to know more about.

[PragmaticWench]

Yes, I have! [Waves hand in the air...]

I had a planned section eleven weeks ago and requested delayed cord clamping. I went to the consultant appointment armed with all my stupidly extensive google research and put a case to the registrar. The registrar met and discussed it with the consultant who then met me, talked it through and agreed. Hurrah! Obviously any emergency issues for me or the baby would have taken priority.

We had a fabulously calm time in theatre. Once our DS was born he was placed on my thighs and NOT held up in the air for us to see. A timer on the wall was started and two minutes were timed whilst all the staff stood around and chatted! The cord was then clamped, cut and DS was taken to be checked etc. and we got to see him and have skin to skin.

After stitching me up the consultant came to talk with me and said thank you for requesting the delayed clamping, that she appreciated trying something new and would recommend it as standard practice in future.

[Pico2]

I've tried to look at research around this, but there doesn't seem to be much evidence, particularly around an impact on post section infection rates. It seems to be a little too unknown for my liking.