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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Skin to skin at birth - is this really 'nice' with a slimey baby?

32 replies

Firstbump · 08/07/2003 15:16

I am not screamish at all but on the delivery tour they offer to deliver baby straight on to you or wrap in a towel to give to you. The first sounds quiet yuk! Have I missed the whole point?

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Katherine · 08/07/2003 16:01

Don't remember either of mine being slimey! Whether that is because they weren't or whether its because I was too happy/ exhausted to notice can't say but I'd definitly recommend that first cuddle.

SoupDragon · 08/07/2003 15:37

I think I had DS2 washed and dried before having skin to skin contact. I think he was delivered onto my stomach but I'm not sure... anyway, he was all clean when we had our first cuddle.

oliveoil · 08/07/2003 15:35

I missed it with my dd as was out cold with a general anasthetic (spelling?), my friends say it was the best thing they had ever experienced. Some hospitals do ask if you want the baby 'cleaned up' first.....

mears · 08/07/2003 15:31

Baby should be dried first in order not to lose heat. The point is that skin-to-skin contact improves the baby's heart rate and breathing rate immediately post birth. Babies tend to cry less as they lie cuddled into your skin, listening to your heartbeat. It is an altogether better transition than being wrapped up in a horrible towel. Also gets baby much more interested in feeding.

eefs · 08/07/2003 15:30

by the time the baby is born you'll be pretty slimey yourself
it's a wonderful experience, as was breastfeeding in the first halfhour after birth. It felt so strange but brought a rush of maternal feeling I never knew I had.

kaz33 · 08/07/2003 15:27

Gosh firstbump - you must remember that by the time you see your bump you will have gone through all the trials and tribulations of laqbour, the pain, the lack of dignity, various bodily fluids etc... - a slimy baby will be the least of your worries.

And yes, same experience as Ghengis - missed it with my first but holding my second immediately after birth is number one in my all time list of experiences !!!

ghengis · 08/07/2003 15:20

Firstbump, I missed this with my first child and, having experienced it with my second, would definitely recommend it. Words cannot describe how important it is to look into your child's eyes for the first time and feel him/her next to your heart.

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