"Natural" c-section

[Sparklies]

Anyone had one of these? I have to have an ELCS, so what do you fancy my chances are of convincing a doctor to do even some of the things involved?

Oldish article: www.guardian.co.uk/society/2005/dec/03/health.medicineandhealth

Unfortunately I can't go to Queen Charlotte's as it is too far away or I would! I am in SE London.

More than anything else I'd like for immediate skin to skin as the worst part for me of my EMCS with DD2 was when they had her screaming on the resus table checking her over, when really she just wanted her first cuddle with her mummy. DD1 was born vaginally straight onto my chest and it was such a big difference, she didn't cry at all.

What amused me about the screen bit, is that the MW had suggested (in an ante natal checkup) that it wasn't good for the father, or mother to see "too much", but I could see the reflection of the operation on the light fitting above me, though the anaesthetist kept distracting me from watching. I did an anatomy degree, I have no squeam

Leaving her on her own was mean, that would have really upset me

No reason why you can't have immediate skin to skin. Wear your gown back to front so it can opened once baby is born. Ask that, unless there is a significant problem, baby be passed to you immediately rather than whisked to table to be looked over and then swaddled and handed to dad! They can assess baby whilst (s)he is on you and babies often have their first feed in theatre.

If you are having an elective take a C-section birth plan to your consultant's meeting including things such as the above and ask him/her to indicate if any are not possible and for what medical reason. If you are aiming for VBAC then still have a c-section page to your birth plan.

Porcelain - Heh, now that I think about it, I think they might have said to me that they leave the screen up as policy for similar reasons. Then again I've seen enough posts on forums where husbands faint, even at stuff like amnios, so maybe they have a point.

1944girl - yes, it's safe to say things have improved a lot in the last few decades as regards c-sections, and pregnancy in general! I suspect many of us on here were x-rayed in the womb before the widespread use of ultrasound - I know I was! Most of the time we're conscious for c-sections these days thank goodness.

NoseyNooNoo - Thank you - that's exactly what I'm hoping for! I certainly will have a c-section birth plan (presumably a lot shorter than a regular birth plan, given there is little choice available for most of it!) and will discuss it beforehand. I'd love, love, love a VBAC but I have a permanent abdominal cerclage that replaces my cervix - preventing exit via the traditional means.. which obviously works great given my existing cervix is pretty much "mush" apparently, but is not quite so useful for a vaginal birth! Unfortunately my uterus would rupture long before baby had a chance to come out the old fashioned way. ELCS is the only way for me now.

Hi I said I'd pop back and see what my consultant said regarding "natural" options>
as expected it was quite a rushed appointment, so didn't get to talk in depth, but will be able to ask more questions when I go to have my pre-op appointment with the mw / registrar.

There definitely are some things she was happy with, but reiterated midge's point that the most important thing was a safe, successful procedure and that both baby and mother are properly looked after - it is a major operation.

She was happy with the screen being lowered, skin to skin either immediately or after APGAR depending on how baby is sounding when he is born and taking photos etc.
She made the valid point of needing the lights on so she could see what she was doing and also said she preferred to get the baby out quickly as possible, not too slowly so they can quickly assess the placenta, womb etc and check there is no haemmorraging - which again seemed a sensible answer to me.

One thing she had agreed to is to move my planned c-section date from 10 days before my due date to just 2 days before. Previously she'd said that they like to make sure the C-section is planned well in advance to minimise the risk of me going into labour and having to be an emergency case, but as she only does c-sections on NHS on a thursday had previously gone for the earlier option. She has agreed though that it would be best all round to let baby cook for another week as my previous DS was a day late... FX this one doesn't arrive early!
In the meantime I'm left wondering what I'll do with another week mat leave without the baby?!

Good luck to you all!