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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Post delivery skin to skin contact, anyone tried this specifically?

43 replies

LDNmummy · 24/06/2011 17:52

I have read a bit about the positives of naked skin to skin contact straight after baby is out. Apparently it is very good between mother and baby and helps bonding with father and baby if done for a significant amount of time (maybe an hour in total?).

I would really like to try this and wanted to know if others have and if they think it made any difference. I don't know if the hospital would even allow this as I don't know what exactly they need to do straight after baby is out such as cleaning and check ups.

I would also like to try it so my DH can bond with our LO straight away as apparently the baby can get used to his smell and be comforted by his heart beat etc...

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Bumpsadaisie · 24/06/2011 18:56

I didn't have much of a birth plan but did want DD put on my chest straightaway. So they did that - she was breathing and pink as she came out so no breathing probs etc.

She started rooting straightaway and breastfeeding was very easy from day one - dont know if this was anything to do with whether she went on my chest first thing. I felt very calm and happy as soon as she was put on me - just serene really. I expected to be an emotional wreck but just felt happy and calm!

DH on the other hand was an emotional wreck, bless him!

mousymouse · 24/06/2011 18:59

ds wasn't breathing when he came out (ventouse). he was put on my chest anyway and the mw rubbed him and the paed held the oxigen into his face.
with dd we had about an hour skin to skin whilst stitching up and first feed.

crikeybadger · 24/06/2011 19:08

Here's a page from the unicef babyfriendly about skin to skin.

I think they (unicef) recommend skin to skin for at least an hour now post birth.

It's nice for DH to have skin to skin (say for eg, if you needed stiches), but IMO, it's more important for the mother to have it to release the hormones needed for breastfeeding.

PrettyCandles · 24/06/2011 19:08

OMG that first skin-to-skin is the best thing ever (well, that's how it feels after however many hours of labour!)

Did it with all three of mine. Also discovered their gender for myself, at my leisure, during that first cuddle.

I remember dh next to me stripping his t-shirt off, ready for his cuddle each time as well. The birthing suite we were in for dc3's birth had a double bed in it, and dh climbed into it with me afterwards (the bed was clean - dc3 had been born in the pool), and we all three had skin-to-skin together.

Bliss.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 24/06/2011 19:10

It was the best moment of my life having DD laid on my chest straight away. Then a lovely hour or so while she BF and I was stitched. Hope you get to do it.

Original poster

LDNmummy · 24/06/2011 19:20

Vintage I just watched your link and it was unbelieveable, I had no idea

I have never even heard of breast crawling.

My birth plan is really flexible in regards to pretty much everything as I have never given birth before and you never know what is going to happen. But this is one thing I really want to do so I will definitely be making it clear to everyone involved.

I know this is sappy (and hormonal) but I am actually quite moved by everone's stories. I am really anxious about the pain, but I think that first contact (provided all goes well) will be completely worth it.

OP posts:

BoffinMum · 24/06/2011 19:30

Crikey, that mother in the film had an awful lot of birth partners.

FlubbaBubba · 24/06/2011 19:37

Neither sappy nor hormonal - I welled up writing my own post and reading others. Just shows what wonderfully sensitive and lovely women we are :o

Pain schmain. Once the baby is in your arms you genuinely forget all the pain. Honestly. I'd do it again in an instance if I could.

FriggFRIGG · 24/06/2011 19:39

oh yes! with both, loveliest moments of my life,DD was in a big hospital,she was lifted too me whilst i was still kneeling,i shifted into a more comfortable position and stayed like that for 2hrs,cooing and kissing,then DP took his shirt off and held her whilst i went to have a bath....
DS was in a midwifery center and the exact same thing happened left on my chest for 2hrs,and breastfed within about 30 seconds!

(off topic Nb,i showered instead of bathed the second time and it was MUCH nicer )

PrettyCandles · 24/06/2011 19:45

There is never more pain than you can deal with, because if it gets too much for you, then there is always pain relief to help you, and there's nothing wrong with that.

My mum used always to say that yes, it hurts, but you forget the pain. I remember in the middle of my first labour thinking "Mum, either you're a liar or a complete lunatic. Nobody could forget this". But the moment the midwife handed dc1 to me, the pain of labour was forgotten. Mum was right.

ginmakesitallok · 24/06/2011 19:46

Yes did it with both my DDs - most natural thing in the world. DD2 bfed within about 5 minutes - wee darling

franke · 24/06/2011 19:56

This article by Michel Odent mentions the importance of skin to skin for the third stage. The article as a whole really influenced my thinking and I had immediate s to s for dc2 and dc3 (dc1 was emcs). Had a narual 3rd stage both times. I just remember I couldn't stop stroking their little arms - there's nothing like the feeling of a newborn.

QueenofDreams · 24/06/2011 19:58

skin to skin contact straight after the birth helps release a rush of hormones in the mum that promotes bonding. It also encourages baby to feed. Most midwives actively promote it these days as the benefits of it are scientific fact not karmic mumbo-jumbo.

lenak · 24/06/2011 20:10

I think I had skin to skin with DD - I was totally spaced out on the gas and air so it is a little hazy, but she didn't feed. DH then held her (wrapped in blankets for about two hours while I slept, so she didn't actually feed until she was around 2 hours old.

I wonder if that is why breastfeeding didn't work out.

Will definitely be making sure this one feeds before I sleep because I'm determined to BF this time!

Original poster

LDNmummy · 24/06/2011 20:55

The funny thing is that I do believe in Karma and things of that nature, I just didn't put this into that category, I put this more in the 'it seems to just make sense' category.

I was just surprised by this friends reaction and was wondering if anyone had actually tried it.

I just can't wait to hold my LO, only half way there at the moment so the suspense is killing me. I probably will forget about the pain.

A bit off topic but DH wasn't great help yesterday when he started talking about tearing though, he thought every single woman tears quite badly and didn't understand that there are different levels of tearing and that some don't tear at all. He was astonished that we women can push a baby out without necessarily having full scale damage IYSWIM. It just made me cringe a bit about what I am in for so hearing I will most likely forget it all is pretty sweet.

Well tearing or not, I can't wait

OP posts:

FriggFRIGG · 24/06/2011 21:28

i didnt tear with dc1.
try to birth on your knees leaning forward,it helps to move things downward naturally
also mooing or making 'horse lips' through contractions (particularly at the pushing stage) opens the cervix and loosens the muscle of the vaginal walls,making you less likely to tear....or so i read in this fantastic book

(really really helped me in my pregnancy's/labours)

oooh,now i want a newborn again!!

thisisyesterday · 24/06/2011 21:39

i tore with my first, but he was a ventouse delivery

my second 2 i didn't tear at all, and they were 9lb 5 and 9lb 10 respectively (with big heads)

titferbrains · 24/06/2011 22:12

that breastcrawl video is incredible.

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