Birth Plan for C Section - tips please!

[Chocolateporridge]

I wasn't expecting to have a c section but have a few complications which mean I'll be having a c section in five weeks.

I'd still like to have a birth plan but, other than delayed cord clamping and skin to skin asap (I'm planning to bf) , I've no idea what to request and what things might make the experience nicer.

Does anyone have any suggestions please?

Hi - I had a planned section and didn't have a birth plan as everything was out of my control I just had to let them do what was best for me & baby. I was told they couldn't delay cord clamping, I had limited skin to skin straight after due to the way I was lying but I arranged for my husband to take over until I was back in recovery. Hope all goes well for you. Just prepare yourself for there being around 10 - 12 people in the room with you. It was such a surreal experience I was amazed at how quickly my daughter was out it was literally minutes. Also pack huge pants for afterwards you'll want nothing near your wound. X

Spinal block before having the catheter?

Do you want the screen up or down? Bump will stop you seeing the incision, but you may like to see the baby coming out.

Any music in theatre?
Do you want baby to have vitamin K injection?

I posted my birth plan in a thread titled 'help-natural c section' in the childbirth forum. sorry can't post link as on the app on my phone x

I'll be having 3rd section with this one, and will be first planned, if that makes sense. Both times when they put baby on me I couldn't really see them because of the screen as not much room due to screen. Do took them and shoved them under his scrubs, and a could have a peek.
Both times were very calm and a bit surreal, but do remember feeling very mellow and relaxed afterwards with both babies, after being stitched up, I had no problems with breastfeeding or pain. Maybe just think about what music you want on, they normally have a cheesy pop station on the radio. Also get some spatone iron supplements for after, I was pretty anaemic and that's what floored me.

As people have said, a section pretty much has a plan already, discuss it with your doc so you know what's going to happen, May help you feel more prepared.

Sorry for typos, I'm knackered!

Thanks for all the tips, I'll check put those other threads too.

My induced, two day labour, with back to back baby and rotational forceps delivery with my dd was so traumatic I ended up with ptsd and counselling so, although I've not chosen this c section, and was upset at first, the thought of it all being so calm and planned and under control is actually quite reassuring

I said that if for any reason the baby was to be taken to scbu etc my husband was to go with him rather than stay with me as I knew I wouldn't be able to go anywhere. I didn't want the baby to be left alone at any time.

I managed skin to skin very quickly and DH held him while they sorted me. But as soon as I was on the trolley and wheels into recover DS was back inside my gown beside me, feeding.

Good luck. You'll be fine and it is very civilised really.

My c section was a really positive experience. It was all a bit of a rush (emergency) and the room was crowded, but it was all very relaxed. I had the screen up as that's what they suggested at the time, but if it happens again this time round I'll ask for no screen - I'm not really squeamish and I'd quite like to have seen what's going on.

They gave the baby to DP immediately as they had to stitch me up, and me a minute later for skin to skin.

DP took photos throughout mine - not sure I'd let him do that again, they're not the most dignified!

OP, I too had PTSD and PND (medication and counselling) with first and like you although the section wasn't my choice exactly (breech baby), it was brilliant! positive, healing and I only have good memories (dd 2 weeks old), good luck and enjoy x x

Thank you all so much, it's very reassuring to hear your stories and to know that I can still have a teeny measure of control over ds's birth

If you had a c section birth plan, when did you give it to staff? X

I'm filling in a section in my notes for a birth plan with my midwife at 37week appointment. I've already done a rough draft for myself so will take that in to.

I think it's important to accept that you might not get what you want as c sections are unpredictable, even planned c sections. For example, where I had my c section, the resuscitation table for the baby was in an adjacent room so they took him away right after birth so couldn't' do skin to skin. Also, they dressed and weighted him in a separate room, so DH went with him and took lots of photos. The one point that was important to me is that I wanted Dh to tell me if it was a boy or a girl and obviously that was respected. There was no problem with breastfeeding - I know that there's a lot of info about how important it is to have skin to skin right after birth, but I know mums who breastfeed their babies even if their first days were spent in an incubator, and couldn't have skin to skin time hours after birth. It would be ideal if all babies could have skin to skin right after birth but it's not always possible.