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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

How important is skin to skin immediately after birth?

16 replies

MadreInglese · 24/05/2011 09:38

I'm having an ELCS with DC2 and when I asked about skin-to-skin my community midwife said they will definitely do it (and if I can't, they will let DP) but when I asked a midwife at the hospital (who was booking my ELCS date) she said they don't do it, they just 'wrap baby up in a blanket and get them snuggled in near your head'

A friend said to me to wait until we get back on the ward to do skin-to-skin, but isn't the point of it to do it immediately? Presumably they'll be a little while stitching me back up.

Am I being unrealistic wanting skin-to-skin after an ELCS? Had a normal birth last time so I have no CS experience.

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trixie123 · 24/05/2011 10:32

in the 2 CS I have had baby was wrapped up and held near me. You are flat on your back with a screen about 1-2 foot from your face so there isn't a great deal of room. In both cases DP held the DCs most of the time I was being stitched up so he might be able to do skin to skin once he is out of the operating room (he will have to be in scrubs whilst in there). Honestly I can't say that I see the need for it other than the idea that its nice to do. Had no trouble latching on either babe after the 45-60 min recovery period and I think the idea that the bond with the baby is irrevocably affected by what happens at the birth is a bit OTT - you have forever to hold and cuddle your baby - it will so disoriented in the first few mins it doesn't know which way is up!
In general I would also just say that my CS's (both ultimately EMCS) were perfectly ok experiences (as these things go!), the team were aware of my presence above the screen if you know what I mean, didn't just focus on the lower half, offered DP the chance to cut the cord, good recovery both times. Best of luck

SenoritaViva · 24/05/2011 10:34

I had an emergency -c and had what your hospital is suggesting (wrapped up near my head), they had a good reason, can't remember what it was as was a bit out of it by that time. Then we had skin to skin when I got back to the hospital room.

DD is 4, we bonded well and have a lovely relationship. I don't see that it did any harm.

SarkyLady · 24/05/2011 10:37

I didn't have as cs with either of my ds's but didn't have skin to skin either time (for different reasons).
really wasn't a big deal IMO.

Just make sure that your dh knows what you want and can help make sensible decisions at the time.

QTPie · 24/05/2011 13:15

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

NellyTheElephant · 24/05/2011 14:33

With both my ELCS I had skin to skin almost immediately (baby checked and nappy put on but nothing else, then tucked in under my gown on my chest). It was lovely, and that would definitely be my choice, so do ask them when you go into theatre as they can do that and I'm sure they will if you want to, but I can't see that it's in any way essential or really matters if you don't. With first baby (emergency CS) I was too weak and shaky to take the baby and so she was wrapped in a towel and DH held her. Once we were in the recovery room then the midwives helped me to hold her skin to skin and start feeding her - it was only about 40 mins after her birth and I wouldn't say that the immediate skin to skin with the other two made any difference to feeding / bonding / etc etc

scaryfairy28 · 24/05/2011 16:55

I had ELCS nearly two weeks ago got immediate skin to skin without baby going anywhere first really had to push for it but got it. Midwife said they just do things the easiest way for them but if folk question it they will try and accommodate. Baby stayed tucked inside my gown during stitching etc. Midwife kept suggesting dd might need suctioned as she was crying but later admitted it was probably cos she was happier! any questions just ask or look at my other posts.

scaryfairy28 · 24/05/2011 16:59

Have to add stitching would have been the longest 20mins of my life if I hadn't had DD lying on my chest blinking away at us. I feel lucky to have been the one to see her open her eyes for the first time, would have missed that if I hadn't pushed for immediate skin to skin, as it's usual at our hospital to take baby away and do full measurements, checks etc.

Highlander · 24/05/2011 17:03

If you insist; they have to let you.

With DS1 I didn't and it didn't inhibit bionding or BFing in the slightest.

With DS2, he was weighed and then DH had him whilst I was stitched up (20 mins) then I had uninterrupted skin to skin in the recovery area for 2 hours - it was actually really, really lovely

gasman · 24/05/2011 17:51

If you insist the staff don't have to let you. Sometimes there are good reasons for not allowing it.

Sometimes not allowing it is just because it is easy for the staff. I, personally, find the latter irritating and unprofessional.

But if I, as the anaesthetist, decide that there are other things going on that would make skin to skin difficult/ distracting/ potentially dangerous then I would expect a reasonable patient to respect this.

gailforce1 · 24/05/2011 18:05

If you are going to try for skin to skin immediately then make sure your gown is put on so that the opening is at your front! Having your gown on with the openings at the back will be a good excuse for them to refuse when the time comes.
My sister had immediate CS skin to skin and as others have said it was a good distraction whilst being stitched and she felt very strongly that, all being well, she wanted to be the first to hold HER baby. She hated the thought that routine things were being done to her baby without her seeing. Hosp were very accomodating and did nothing to him without her being in view after a long initial skin to skin.
I know that, even now 8yrs later, she looks back at this as being her precious memory and has helped her forget the other unpleasant aspects of his arrival.

WidowWadman · 24/05/2011 18:11

I only had skin to skin when they finished stitching me up, which was after about 45 minutes. Breastfed fine and never had any bonding issues either. My husband held her while I was being stitched.

Plan to have it the same way for my ELCS, would have found it awkward to impossible to hold my baby myself while lying on the operating table

QTPie · 24/05/2011 19:00

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scaryfairy28 · 24/05/2011 19:28

I found holding dd easy though she was so close I couldn't really see her!! With hindsight I wouldn't change anything it was really important to me to be the first person to hold her!

Original poster

MadreInglese · 24/05/2011 20:57

Thanks all, some good points to consider.

I've felt very out of control throughout this whole pregnancy, I have hyperemesis and have felt generally thoroughly crappy (never did bloom!) and after planning a very natural homebirth I've ended up with an ELCS because this little tinker is footling breech. So I guess skin-to-skin feels quite important to me as it's a little bit of 'natural' that I may be able to get back, if that makes sense (but obviously I don't want it to hinder them stitching me up or any other issues)

QTPie wow! Incredible photos!

OP posts:

QTPie · 24/05/2011 21:39

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Boogiemumma · 25/05/2011 22:33

Love your pics QTpie beautiful!! Having ELCS in 2 weeks and also hope to have skin to skin asap, not going to get to stressed about it (want to enjoy experience) though I'm sure they will allow this for me and you MadreInglese as soon as is safe and reasonable. Good luck xxx

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