Advice re planned c section

[aussieandrea]

Hi,
I'm due for my 3rd c section next month. I've just been told today that i won't be allowed to see my baby being born due to "sterile" issues. My previous 2 births in Australia the sheet was pulled down just before my baby was brought out so i could see my baby straight away and find out the sex. I was wondering what others experiences of this are here in the UK.
Thanks

Sheet was pulled down slightly once baby out and being held aloft

My baby was held up over above the sheet just after they'd brought him out so I could see him.

Thanks for your replies. Were you able to hold your baby straight away and have skin to skin or did they wipe your baby and wrap beforehand?

I had skin to skin once i was in recovery, they hadn't cleaned him up much. Was lovely

Baby was held over the sheet and then skin to skin contact

it really does depend on your hospital unfortunately. you need to discuss these things with your consultant.

If you want to see baby, they might be able to lower the curtain or they might not.

I chose to have my baby weighed and cleaned a bit before being given to me for skin to skin so it was continuous (was over 5 hours in the end), but you might want to do it differently. Again, its personal choice and something most hospitals and most consultants are able to give you the choice over..

good luck with your negotiations.

After being held over the sheet, my baby was cleaned and wrapped in a blanket and given to my husband. He was sat right next to me so we could all have a little chat while the surgeons finished working on me - it was nice. I did my first skin to skin contact in recovery which I was happy with. I found out I needed an ELCS at 38 weeks and went in at 39 weeks so didn't have too much time to think about the day in advance or how it related to my birth plan. Luckily, the midwife looking after me on the day was really good and I felt comfortable going with what she suggested.

I hope everything goes well for you.

Google women centred or natural caesarean - lowered drapes and immediate skin to skin contact is more than possible