ELCS - what's reasonable to ask for to make it as "natural" as possible?

[CrispyFB]

I need to (no physical way round it, trust me!) have an ELCS for medical reasons.. in another universe I would be having a homebirth, so you can guess how I feel about this.

I had an EMCS for DC2 which was unexpected and like many women I didn't do my research on what it involved so I never knew to ask for anything different as part of the birth. I knew I had to have an ELCS for DC3 so I did a bit more research and got the screen lowered, but no skin to skin or breastfeeding immediately afterwards (I asked, they forgot, they weren't unwilling though!) They also let DH take photos, but no video until baby was clear of the scene. I treasure those photos!

This is my last and DC4. New hospital, new consultant. I'm due to meet with her in a few weeks to set a date, discuss the c-section etc.

I'm interested to hear what other more "natural"-preferring mothers have managed to ask for and get from previous ELCSes.

What's actually reasonable to ask for?

What could I ask for that I didn't think of asking for last time but would make the experience nicer?

Thanks!!

I'm an epidural fan., but had ELSC with DS4 (footling breech)

they suggested to bring my own CD to listen to the music while in theatre.
it was lovely, made me feel relaxed.

the one thing that I didn't like was the anesthesiologist (sp?) talking to me the whole way through.
I know it's their job, but it was distracting me way too much - I wanted to just listen to the music.

hth

Ah, the Natural Caesarian is an actual Thing! Can't remember where I first read about it, but look it up. Eg www.parentdish.co.uk/pregnancy-and-birth/natural-c-section-real-life-birth-story/.

Zing - Wow, that's lovely they let you bring your own music in! They had Magic (the radio station!) on the radio when DS was being born.

puntasticusername - Yep, I have heard about them, and obviously ideally I'd like one with all the things they do, but I'm also aware that many consultants have their own opinions! So I'm wondering what people have managed to actually get where it's not a "thing" the doctor usually does if you see what I mean.

what was really lovely that they told me I could! I had no idea!

It was a Tim Hughes CD and to this day it makes me think of expecting DS4 as we listened to it a lot beforehand and DS1 knew most of the songs!
I even listened to in the morning while having a shower before we went in - it was a great day!

DS4 was a C-section and I wanted a homebirth too. DH took loads of photos which I loved. The CD player wasn't working so we had to have the radio instead. I had delayed cord clamping. I forgot to ask for skin to skin so I didn't get that and we knew that DS4 wouldn't be able to breastfeed anyway. If I have to have another C-section I will ask for baby to be given to me straight after birth because the thing I really didn't like was that when they cut the cord they took him over to be weighed and measured and then they gave him to DH wrapped in a towel. I couldn't see him at all until he was with DH and even then I had to twist my neck round to get a glimpse of him.

Zing My friend used to fancy Tim Hughes! I remember watching him play live when we were about 15

Thanks both!

Yes, that's the bit I hated the most too - when they take the baby away, wrap them in a towel and give them to the father. I want skin to skin! I got to hold DS last time but he was still wrapped in a towel - I need to be more assertive about that and have this one skin to skin under a towel. Very glad to hear you got the delayed cord clamping though!