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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Anyone had a "natural" c-section?

26 replies

Carrie06 · 17/02/2009 23:32

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had a so called natural c-section. I am hoping to have one at Queen Charlotte's in London where the technique was pioneered.

In brief, it involves the doctor lowering the screen/sheet between you and your tummy so that when they make the incision into your uterus, you see the head coming out, then they leave the body in for longer than normal so that the chest gets squeezed (like in a vaginal birth) to expel fluid from the lungs and baby then goes on to the mother's chest for skin to skin. The umbilical cord is also left attached to the baby for several minutes.

This is supposed to be beneficial to the baby - don't think there is any definitive research yet to prove it. It is supposed to be a lot gentler and slower than baby being whisked away for a medical examination etc. Cx

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fingermousey · 18/02/2009 06:12

I had this a bit and I have to say I felt like I was witnessing a miracle unlike my first caesarean.

The screen was lowered right down and I saw my baby being born. Her head popped out so gently and her body was left in for a little bit. She started trying to talk! No crying, just gentle talking. It was amazing. Then her body came out and there was silence int he room, her beautiful presence filled the room and a wonderful peace emanated over everyone. I wasn't told the sex but she was shown to me for me to see. It was more beautiful than I can ever say.

The cord bit we didn't do. She was laid naked on my chest (this was after a cuddle with Daddy but that was agreed beforehand). I totally recommend it, it really felt like giving birth unlike the first time where I felt like the baby was being roughly hauled out of me and then knocked unconcious

BlueCowWondersSomeMore · 18/02/2009 06:26

It sounds wonderful, so gentle and loving.

My only question is why all caesareans aren't done like this! (apart from the real 'blue light' ones of course, but I think that level of emergency is rare). Seems like it's so beneficial for all involved.

fingermousey · 18/02/2009 07:05

I think to some extent it comes down to the sensibilities of the surgeon.

The first one was a very brusque man and that's how he delivered my baby the second surgeon was a very lovely lady who had obviously masterered the skill of birthing a caesarean baby in the most natural way as possible.

The difference was unbelievable, I am so sorry my first baby wasn't born so beautifully and peacefully, but at the same time he was born safely and I focus on that.

Marthasmama · 18/02/2009 07:48

Bugger. I wish my c-sections were like that! I always felt rubbish about not being able to do it the way nature intended and that would have been a good compromise. Oh well.

southeastastra · 18/02/2009 07:50

rofl at fingermousey (sorry)

Original poster

Carrie06 · 18/02/2009 11:19

Thanks for your replies ladies - fingermousey, yopur experience sounds great. I had an emergency section 1st time around but given my baby was just over 1lb, although it wasn't rushed as such, it was a pretty horrendous experience given the circumstances so hoping for a better experience this time. Cx

OP posts:

MrsMattie · 18/02/2009 13:03

I had the screen lowered as DD was born by c-section. It was lovely. They didn't give me the option with my first section, which was a shame. Made a big difference, actually. The moment DD came out was joyous...the best moment of my life. I have felt completely euphoric ever since, and she is now 13 weeks old

Lulumama · 18/02/2009 13:06

why would you laugh SEA?

i thikn if you have the option of a natural c.s, and it is as lovely as fingermousy has described, then go for it , esp, if you are not confident to go for a VBAC.

i think it is about time that c.section births were made a bit more about the mum too, and not jsut about removing the baby ...

if you hvae have it done where it was pioneered then that sounds pretty good

hopefully it will become more well known

LeninGrad · 18/02/2009 13:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OracleInaCoracle · 18/02/2009 13:24

if i have another lo then i will definately ask for a natural cs. it sounds lovely.

agree, dont know why SEA is laughing. can only assume she misread the posts.

Boobz · 18/02/2009 13:47

I think SEA was laughing at Fingermousey's name, not her post... no?

ShowOfHands · 18/02/2009 13:53

Sounds lovely. My dd was whisked off (even though she was fine) and I wasn't told she was even here yet. First time I saw her she was dressed. I didn't and don't feel like she came from me in the physical sense. I would have liked the experience offered by a natural cs.

What a wonderful compromise to involve the mother more in such a medicalised procedure.

DH saw my innards. He was not enamoured of them.

Lotster · 18/02/2009 14:33

If the technique was pioneered there then it should be a good bet you can have one I should think.

However, I mentioned it to my consultant after reading about it and being interested myself, but he said the benefits are a bit of a misnomer - the contractions don't squeeze the baby and clear their lungs, and that it was definately hormonal triggers that caused this.

He did say there's not harm in a normal C/S in lowering the screen anyway as the incision is on the other side of your bump so you won't see anything scary.

Good luck with whatever you do, have heard good things about Charlotte's.

lisalisa · 18/02/2009 14:45

If the screen is lowered that far why not just remove the screen?

Lotster · 18/02/2009 14:52

So that you don't lie there watching various instruments going up and down with your blood on them I presume??

They lower it at the time baby comes out so you can see them emerge, which is the nice bit. Although some people don't even want to see that.

Then put it back so again, you don't watch the sewing needle being lifted and lowered. I don't want to be seeing the before and after baby emerging bits when it's my turn next week, but I would like to see baby emerge.

Highlander · 18/02/2009 16:52

I was offered one, but it felt a bit lentil-weavery for me I'm afraid. But I'm just not bothered by the whole birthing process. 30 mins after the birth, DS2 and I had skin to skin for nearly 3 hours, which was just lovely (most of this time he spent feeding, the little scoffer )

KerryMumbles · 18/02/2009 16:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

southeastastra · 18/02/2009 17:12

i was laughing at fingermouse's description 'her beautiful presence filled the room and a wonderful peace emanated over everyone'

really no offence intended though probably sound mean spiritied.

fingermousey · 18/02/2009 17:47

i was laughing at fingermouse's description 'her beautiful presence filled the room and a wonderful peace emanated over everyone'

I think if your not posting a helpful/interesting/funny comment thendon't post! laughing at someone's most important life experience isn't pariticularly nice and your comment does nothing but to hurt feelings when you could have kept it to yourself.

fingermousey · 18/02/2009 17:52

And, just for the record, I have had not a great time with problems since the birth and a year on still not recovered so the actual birth is one of the only good things i've got about the whole experience (and obviously my dear daughter). So it's even more insensitive of you. Childbirth for a lot of us is a big thing and I'm on here to help where I can, including my post in this thread.

MrsMattie · 18/02/2009 17:57

fingermousey - I know exactly what you meant. I don't care if it sounds lentil weavery. I felt just the same when my DD was born. It was a wonderful, serene, almost spiritual experience and it has left me on a complete high weeks and weeks later.

Fuck all the naysayers, love.

(p.s. you don't see any blood or guts when they lower the screen, really. Just your baby being lifted out and up. Tis wonderful)

ShowOfHands · 18/02/2009 18:00

fingermousey I felt a lump in my throat when I read your description. I have only the one dd and it was an em cs, dd hauled out and whisked off. To have a positive and beautiful experience in theatre like that is wonderful and you should cherish that memory.

I am a lentil weaver though.

fingermousey · 18/02/2009 18:00

Thank you MrsMattie you make me feel better

fingermousey · 18/02/2009 18:01

Thank you too ShowofHands

superjump · 18/02/2009 18:10

Fingermousey, that sounds wonderful. This is exactly why I read mumsnet, to keep up with new things like this that I might not otherwise hear about, thanks so much for posting & I'm glad the birth is a precious memory for you

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