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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Has anyone had skin-to-skin during a c-section?

18 replies

ChunkysMum · 16/03/2013 22:04

I've been day-dreaming today about what I would put on my birth plan if I ever had DC2.

On my birth plan for DD1 I had: As natural as possible - preferably a water birth, I'll see what I feel at the time wrt pain relief, no Keilands forceps.

I had: A bit of my waters broken by midwife (a bit had already gone), was told I'd need syntocinon drip, had an epidural, they took blood from DD1s head twice then had an emergency c-section at 2.50am. DD was wrapped up and DH held her, then my mum, then she was placed (still wrapped up) on me while I was wheeled up to the ward (at 3.30am) and left there.

I had an awful night of terrible care.

I do not want a repeat of last time and have decided that, if I ever have another DC, I will request an elective c-section at a time where DH and I will have quiet time with our DC before I'm wheeled off (as elective c-sections occur during working hours).

I'd like something like the birth at the beginning of video.

I'm not asking for opinions on elective c-section vs vbac. I'd just like to know if anyone has achieved a so-called 'natural c-section' on the NHS? If so, how did it go? How did you go about organising it? Whereabouts in the country were you at the time?

Thank you.

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PoppadomPreach · 16/03/2013 22:11

Yes - when the surgeon came to see me for my ELCS for DS2 I asked if it would be possible to have skin to skin straight after birth. She seemed to be totally happy to do this (subject to everything going right)

After he was born, they raised the little curtain between your head and the rest of me, and gently placed him on my chest. It was just for a few seconds, but it felt amazing!

This was at Addenbrookes, cambridge.

It's not quite the same as a natural birth skin to skin, but it was definitely worth it!

Good luck!

Dumdeedumdeedum · 16/03/2013 22:17

I had an emcs and could have had skin to skin, but I was shaking so badly from the drugs that I was scared I'd drop DS. My DH did skin to skin with him though and I bf in recovery when we both woke up. This was also Addenbrooke's in Cambridge.

SigningGirl · 16/03/2013 23:46

I also had an emergency c section, but was shaking afterwards too much to hold ds... ( although they would have let me had i been more confident) My DH did skin to skin straight away and then my midwife helped me do skin to skin a bit later...

I was at lister, Stevenage.

ColouringInQueen · 16/03/2013 23:51

Hi I had an elective c-section with my second child. Straight after he was delivered he was given to me for skin-to-skin while they sewed me up. It was lovely and a much nicer experience than the traumatic delivery of my first child. Good luck!
Hosp: Stoke Mandeville, Bucks

bonzoed · 16/03/2013 23:54

Yes, asked for gown to be put on back to front so easy access. Baby put straight on chest with cord attached. Baby stayed on chest, feeding, during stitching up and then in recovery. Finally taken out of my arms about an hour after birth.

Good luck.

loveonashoestring · 17/03/2013 00:00

Hi had all my 3 via c section for reasons won't bore you with and have enjoyed wonderful skin to skin with all of them. DH has also whipped his kit off each time and had same just before or after depending how shaky I have been. Truly magic moments despite the clinical goings on minutes before.

loveonashoestring · 17/03/2013 00:02

Sorry forgot to say was at Royal Sussex in Brighton and they were fantastic each time. Couldn't have made me feel less like I was one of many that day.

Brandnewbrighttomorrow · 17/03/2013 00:06

Yes, with both my elective sections - also at addenbrookes - there's a theme emerging here! You can make an elective section less clinical - request the baby to be lifted out facing you so you can greet them, discover the baby's sex for yourself (if you don't already know) experience skin-to-skin as soon as possible and have some music on that you like. I had the most wonderful midwife with me during my son's birth, she talked us through exactly what was happening and helped us feel much more calm and in control during the birth.

I'd also recommend a combined spinal/epidural so that if there is any problem, either with pain relief or duration required for delivery you can be topped up and avoid having a general anaesthetic.

Good luck!

blueshoes · 17/03/2013 00:52

Yes, at Queen Elizabeth at Woolwich, SE London.

soundevenfruity · 17/03/2013 01:12

I had a skin to skin once DC was checked over as it was EMCS and they were not sure he was well at that stage. It was a bit weird because during CS you are tilted head down and a bit to your side so I tried with DH's help to keep him from rolling on my face. It was great though. The only thing to mention is that they removed the wires that were attached to the monitors and missed me having trouble while they were stitching me up.

Smallgreenone · 17/03/2013 02:16

Yes but I felt really shaky too and the tilted table made me feel scared I'd drop him but yes we had skin to skin straight after whilst I was sown up. Also delayed cord clamping. Women's hospital Birmingham under care of the foetal medicine team.

Panzee · 17/03/2013 02:30

I was offered it but had mega shakes and itching so declined. I had it in recovery though when my body had stopped twitching!

chroniclackofimagination · 17/03/2013 02:32

My anethesist advocated for me during my caesarean. She asked me if I wanted skin to skin and insisted my hospital gown was pulled down on one side to facilitate it when DS2 was born. It was a blissful amazing moment in the midst of the scariness of birth, it felt amazing and I think if was why I felt high and happy for days after the birth. Push for it, put it on birth plan and when you gone to theatre ask again and ask who will make sure it's done.

GirlOutNumbered · 17/03/2013 02:41

Yes with both! They put baby on you while you are cleaned and stitched up. DS2 was on me for about 45 mins and then DH dressed him, I then breastfed him for almost an hour in recovery. It was perfect.

Beatrixpotty · 17/03/2013 10:32

Yes,with all 3 ELCSS,as soon as was weighed and cleaned baby was given to me whilst they stitched up.There were posters all over the hospital (RVI Newcastle) promoting skin to skin .

SkiBumMum · 17/03/2013 10:40

Yes. I don't recall immediately after dd2 was born. I was bleeding a lot so was drugged up. All I remember was her being placed cheek to cheek with me and then a long time in recovery bf and skin to skin. DH had her for a few secs straight after but he fainted due to the bleeding so I suspect she was wrapped up a bit and placed on my pillow. Now when she cuddles me she always presses her face on mine. I'm convinced its a birth memory. It really calms her.

Had vile time with dd1 and by the end tbh i just wanted her out (foreceps in theatre) so i could sleep after 70 long hours. Couldn't have cared less re skin to skin. V sad but had no impact on our relationship.

QTPie · 17/03/2013 15:21

This reply has been withdrawn

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

Original poster

ChunkysMum · 17/03/2013 19:30

Thank you so much for these stories.

This will definately be on my birth plan if we manage to get pregnant with DC2.

I'm quite nervous about explaining at my booking in appointment what I'd prefer, but I'm determined. I'm more worried about the reaction to me wanting an elective c-section than the skin-to-skin.

Thanks again.

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