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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Partner cutting cord during c section.

29 replies

CatTheMouse · 07/05/2017 08:29

I'm booked in for my c section on the 30th, though it may be brought forward. This is my fourth one and I'm being sterilised at the same time. However this is my partner's first child and we'd both love him to be the one who cuts the cord ( the first cut from me, not the excess that usually partners cut). Has anyone done this? My midwife looked quite disapproving when we asked due to him needed to be scrubbed up.

OP posts:
booellesmum · 07/05/2017 08:31

My DH cut the cord for DD2.
He was in a gown anyway as in theatre.
I don't think it will be a problem.
Congratulations by the way!

GinnyBaker · 07/05/2017 08:34

Didn't occur to us to ask if this could happen during my cs, but the doctors stopped and asked DH if he'd like to do it? He had to have gown on to be in theatre anyway but wasn't properly 'scrubbed in' like a surgeon iyswim.

SorrelSoup · 07/05/2017 08:34

Yes dh did this. It's normal!

Original poster
CatTheMouse · 07/05/2017 08:36

Thank you!

Midwife said him being in scrubs wasn't enough, he'd need to be prepped like the doctors. Good to know that may not be the case when we get to the hospital!

OP posts:
Original poster
CatTheMouse · 07/05/2017 08:38

My ex never wanted to do the first cut so we never asked and he just cut the excess bit off once baby was taken over for checks. So I don't know if our hospital has a different policy.

OP posts:
SorrelSoup · 07/05/2017 08:41

From memory it's more of a symbolic thing. The cord has already been cut but they leave a bit on for the partner to cut???? Does this make sense?? So the partner doesn't go behind the lines, baby is brought to them.

SorrelSoup · 07/05/2017 08:42

Just seen your last post. I think it's only the excess that they are referring to.

Nan0second · 07/05/2017 08:45

Not the first cut, no.
Obstetrician here and this would never be allowed. I have worked in 5 UK hospitals and we would all encourage partners to trim and neaten the cord. We would not allow them to scrub up with the surgeons!

Original poster
CatTheMouse · 07/05/2017 08:48

As it's going to be our only one my partner just really wants to be the one to 'seperate' baby and me, particularly as there's not much he can really get involved in with a section. He's not that excited about cutting the excess. Our other plan is him and baby to have immediate skin to skin. Hopefully it'll all work out.

OP posts:
Original poster
CatTheMouse · 07/05/2017 08:49

Oh well, there's that one out the window!

Thank you all!

OP posts:
Mummyme87 · 07/05/2017 08:51

From a midwives perspective it is not an absolute no no, I know consultants that would allow this. However you need to bare in mind the instruments are sterile, as is the surgeon, and the area around you. Certainly would need to be discussed with the surgeon on the day, I don't think anyone here or your midwife would be able to say an absolute yes or no to this question

Original poster
CatTheMouse · 07/05/2017 08:54

Midwife didn't say anything to suggest either way, we just got the impression that it was an odd request.

OP posts:
thethoughtfox · 07/05/2017 11:02

Be careful though: my dh cut the doctor's finger. He was mortified and so worried that he had damaged her hands.

thethoughtfox · 07/05/2017 11:03

We were in theatre too. he had a gown on but I'm sure he didn't have to scrub in like a surgeon.

ladybunnikins · 07/05/2017 18:23

In terms of getting your partner involved, the best c-section partners reassure and distract their partners, hold their hand, massage their shoulders, that sort of thing. He can also take photos and yes, do skin-to-skin in theatre if you want him to, or help you to do it. Plus he can change the first nappies 😉.

Original poster
CatTheMouse · 07/05/2017 18:52

To be honest, none of those things really appeal Sad. It's my fourth section so I'm in need of very little comforting or reassurance. I'm quite blazé about it all. He's not one for photos either. Sad the only thing we both wanted was for him to cut the cord, it just meant something quite emotional to us and if I was able to have a natural birth then he definitely would have done it then. Just a shame that it looks like it probably won't be possible. At least he can pop out to recovery while they put me back together and have some skin to skin cuddles and get baby dressed. Smile

OP posts:
raviolidreaming · 07/05/2017 22:37

At least he can pop out to recovery while they put me back together and have some skin to skin cuddles and get baby dressed

I'm sure DS was with me when I left theatre? I think they weighed him etc while I was being sewed up and then put him under my gown for skin to skin before we went through to recovery? (Why can't I remember this??!)

2014newme · 07/05/2017 22:42

Never occurred to me. Neither of us would have wanted to do this. Bleugh 😷.
My dh wasn't scrubbed up when we had twins were born by section, just gowned.
If you want to go ahead.

2014newme · 07/05/2017 22:44

Personally not seeing how chopping the cord of us an emotional experience 😕

SockQueen · 07/05/2017 23:22

I've never seen it happen in a C-section (anaesthetist). I can see how it could just about be possible but can also imagine that most obstetricians (and probably most scrub nurses too, who are responsible for sterility!) would not be happy with having an untrained person wielding sharp instruments in the middle of the sterile field. I'm afraid your DP is probably going to have to let go of this idea as it's unlikely to be permitted. No reason why he should have to go out to recovery for his skin-to-skin etc though - if you and baby are both well then the norm is to keep you together as much as possible.

FWIW I had a vaginal birth and DH didn't want to cut DS's cord. I did it myself, which was bloody awkward!

Original poster
CatTheMouse · 08/05/2017 01:05

He's a nervous first time father, he'd rather be sat somewhere comfortable for skin to skin rather than lurking in the theatre with eyes on him. I don't mind either way as I'm not comfortable trying skin to skin myself until I'm out of theatre. I've spoken to him about how unlikely it is that he can cut the cord, he's a bit disappointed but we'll try to find something else to help him feel a part of things.

OP posts:
Helbelle75 · 08/05/2017 01:14

I had a c section 3 weeks (first child) and dh was next to me throughout. He was allowed to stand up and look over the sheet to see our daughter being brought out and he was the one to tell me the sex.
He did cut the cord, but after she had been weighed so assumedly just the excess. He also held her whilst I was being stitched up. I wasn't able to hold her straight away as there just wasn't room. He found it a very special experience and was very involved.
I hope he gets to cut the cord and hold her for the first time.

katkitkat · 08/05/2017 01:18

Sounds like he is making it more about him Confused

It's unlikely he will be able to cut the cord first due to sterility, though not 100% sure.

Also unlikely he will be able to 'pop out' to do skin to skin. The baby will be cleaned up, weighed, have first check ups carried out, and then will really need to be kept with you.

He is the baby's father, there's no need to find him a special job to make him feel a part of it.

ICJump · 08/05/2017 01:19

I've heard of woman asking for lotus births during a ceasearan so the cord can be cut with a little more ceromony.

Neverknowing · 08/05/2017 01:31

I think it would be very much up to the surgeon. When I had mine my partner was told to stay in a very specific spot I assume so he didn't get in the way. This may add another step surgeons aren't used to if that makes sense? It may mean you're open for longer than you would be otherwise and that might not be something theu would want.
If you don't ask, you don't get though,!

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