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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

CS and Skin to Skin

36 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 05/02/2014 19:09

Can I ask how quickly those of you who have experience of CS were allowed skin to skin?

I always thought you were given the opportunity ASAP but the lady doing one of my antenatal classes last night implied that with CS the first 'real' prolonged skin to skin and attempted first feed session can be delayed for hours

It also worries me that on TV programmes after a CS the baby is always wrapped in a towel and then given to mom (whilst she's being stitched up etc) and she is advised to put baby down the front of her hospital gown. But it isn't skin to skin when the baby's in a towel is it?!

I'm having a CS in 6 weeks and feeling genuinely anxious about missing out on such an important stage

OP posts:

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MrsCDNinUK · 10/02/2014 23:05

I've had 2 C/S and having my 3rd in 3 weeks (my first 2 were in Canada though). For my first, they wrapped him up fairly quickly after they checked him over. DH had skin to skin with him for about 90 minutes while I was in recovery. That was late 2010. 16 months later in 2012 when I had my DD, I was able to do skin to skin and had the baby and DH with me in recovery and then after 90 minutes we were moved to a private room. No idea how it will work here for #3.

I should say that my c-sections were all very relaxed and positive experiences. That said, it was my OB who saw me throughout my pregnancy who did the c/s so I knew him and really liked him. I met an OB for the first time here in the UK today (saw one at home along with my GP for the first 7 months) and then it turns out he won't be performing the c/s. I'm just hoping that I'll have the same very positive experience for #3.

Mrswellyboot · 10/02/2014 23:09

I had an emcs and there was a few little complications as baby swallowed meconium etc and then I went into shock so dh did the skin to skin. No problems latching. Delay of two hours until I fed him

MrsCakesPremonition · 10/02/2014 23:23

I have a friend who had an emergency CS under GA. Her DH did skin to skin with the baby until she was able to snuggle the baby herself. I think she had written it in her birth plan that if, for any reason, she couldn't do skin to skin herself then the MW was to give the baby to DH.

Doodle1983 · 15/02/2014 18:32

Hi a bit late to the party - I had an EMCS a fortnight ago. I got skin to skin in the theatre while I was being stiched up. And then was encouraged to breastfeed back in the recovery room. Baby was taken for some skin to skin afterwards with dad because I reacted to the surgery and couldn't stop shaking x

CrispyFB · 15/02/2014 22:13

At my 34 week appointment last week I was told skin to skin was a matter of absolute routine with all c-sections at the hospital I'm at - you'd have to ask not to by the sounds of it! That makes me very happy

They do towel baby down first though, I guess I can deal with that!

Featherbag · 15/02/2014 22:29

I had a lovely, lovely ELCS 12 weeks ago! It was all just perfect. I didn't feel able to have skin to skin in theatre, although I did get to hold baby, as I felt shaky. I got to watch DH have the first cuddles though, and watching the joy on his face more than made up for that! I got immediate skin to skin in recovery and DS had his first bf about half an hour after being born. Compared to the 'natural' birth of DS1, 2 months early and whipped straight off to NICU, it couldn't have been more perfect. I didn't even get to hold him until he was a week old. Please don't worry, and please don't get too hung up on immediate skin to skin. If this doesn't happen for whatever reason, you'll get skin to skin as soon as possible. It won't affect your chances of breastfeeding, it won't affect your bond with baby. You have a whole lifetime of cuddles ahead of you, a slight delay in the first one won't change that one bit!

zoemaguire · 19/02/2014 04:09

Just had elcs 12 hours ago:) dd given pretty much straight to me, after most cursory of checks. Consultant who did surgery was a bit sceptical as to whether itd be possible, but I'm not sure it was much to do with her tbh:) midwife handed her over after anaesthetist moved relevant equipment and bits of gown, and she nuzzled for all of time I was stitched up. Handed her to dh while I was moved from op table to bed, midwife weighed her then straight back to me. She latched on beautifully in recovery and has been feeding pretty much ever since. Right now feeling very happy indeed with whole cs experience!

1944girl · 19/02/2014 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mnippy · 21/02/2014 13:51

OP - just tell them (at each stage, including on the day) that you want skin to skin.

I had skin to skin seconds after my baby was born by c-section. They took him out, showed him to me, took him off to weigh him, whisked him back then just pulled my gown down and plonked him onto me. A towel over him, but not between us.

It isn't as comfortable or as natural as it would be after a vaginal delivery because you're fully reclined, still being stitched up, and will have IV drips etc still in. But let me reassure you that I didn't notice ANY of that - my mind was just blown at being able to cuddle this warm screechy little thing.

Like Meglet said, I had to hand him over to daddy to cuddle while they adjusted drips etc but you won't feel like you missed out on anything. In fact, I got to cuddle him while being wheeled around the hospital (first to the recovery unit, where we breastfed, then to my room).

moas · 21/02/2014 16:06

I had EMCS last time and I remember being quite weak and wobbly as I was being sewn up. Husband held our son but he was swaddled in towel. Was going to suggest that my husband and baby be skin-to-skin in theatre. Does anyone have experience of this?

likeit · 21/02/2014 19:11

Matter of minutes for both kids

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