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Original poster

Private consultants for “natural/gentle” c-section in London

27 replies

IndigoNZ1 · 04/01/2019 19:39

Hi, I’m looking for recommendations of consultant obstetricians in London that are experienced in and open to natural/gentle c-sections, just in case I can’t have a natural birth (with my last pregnancy I narrowly avoided having to have an emergency c-section). I heard about someone good at UCLH but that’s difficult with our insurance. Ideally we would deliver at Kensington Wing, Lindo Wing, or Portland. My first preference is for a vaginal delivery, so also looking for someone who’s not biased in favour of surgery (just open to gentler version if c-section is really needed). Thanks!

OP posts:

FrazzyAndFrumpled · 04/01/2019 20:00

Didn’t you post this a few minutes ago then ask for it to be deleted?

I’ll repeat ... what the find a “natural” csection?

FrazzyAndFrumpled · 04/01/2019 20:00

Fuck. Not find.

Furrycushion · 04/01/2019 20:02

C sections aren't known for being natural or gentle. They have to cut through you and haul a baby out!

Honeybee79 · 04/01/2019 20:06

How could they make a C-section natural or gentle? Am having my 3rd next week and in my experience they aren't in any way gentle. But if what you mean is having skin to skin straight away, a nice atmosphere with music and staff trying to make it a special moment... Then the NHS does that, at least they did with my elective. My first was an emergency and we were both ill.

chloechloe · 04/01/2019 20:06

To be honest I don’t think it’s something you can really plan for. Even if you choose a hospital based on the reputation or skill of a certain consultant, there’s no guarantee s/he will be on duty or available if and when you need an EMCS when there’s no time to hang around. I don’t think it’s worth overthinking it if you’re planning a vaginal delivery. Obviously if you wanted a planned CS that would be a different matter entirely.

bengalcat · 04/01/2019 20:07

Just plan to have your baby wherever you wish too - specify what you mean by natural c/ section and staff will endeavour to perform according to your wishes if possible

Honeybee79 · 04/01/2019 20:08

I am v perplexed by this "gentler version of C-section". You can't change the fact that it's abdominal surgery

PortiaCastis · 04/01/2019 20:09

How the fuck can a c-section be natural ?

chloechloe · 04/01/2019 20:10

In answer to the questions about “gentle” CSs (our posts crossed), there are many YouTube videos! Some surgeons will make the incisions (certainly not gentle as there are 8 layers to cut through apparently!), and then allow the baby to make its own way out which recreates some of the elements of a natural birth so they say...

bengalcat · 04/01/2019 20:13

No not eight layers - skin, rectus sheath , peritoneum , move bladder down , uterus then break membranes - that makes at most 6

PinkHeart5914 · 04/01/2019 20:14

What is a “natural” c section?

They cut you open in surgery ffs nothing gentle about that...

Original poster

IndigoNZ1 · 04/01/2019 20:15

Yes, this is what I meant: www.google.co.nz/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/natural-caesarean-why-i-chose-a-gentler-version-of-the-operation-for-my-baby-after-two-surgical-a6708046.html%3famp

OP posts:

Honeybee79 · 04/01/2019 20:19

I think I'll just accept that it is definitely not a "natural" thing, but in all honesty what is so good about it being natural? My elective was a lovely experience in its own way, great staff, immediate cuddles etc. Why this obsession with "natural"?

Also, I have just been cut open then I'd rather a medical professional got the child out quickly instead of leaving me open on the table waiting for the baby to emerge .

An elective C-section can be a lovely, calm experience but natural it ain't.

mumofmunchkin · 04/01/2019 20:22

Trouble is, while it may be possible for a planned section to be “gentler” - calm, music, skin to skin, delayed cord clamping etc, if you are planning for a vaginal birth then any section would likely be an emergency section which by its very nature is an emergency, where they just need to get that baby out as quickly as possible.

SenoritaViva · 04/01/2019 20:25

You need to read ‘this is going to hurt’ By Adam Kaye. There’s a whole bit on natural c sections and what a load of bollocks it is.

CocoDeMoll · 04/01/2019 20:27

I don’t know why everyone’s jumping on you .

I had a gentle c/s and it was a world away from the first. They minimise the trauma to baby by slowly and gently lifting him out in a darkened quiet theate and put him straight on your breast. It’s making the best for the baby of a not ideal situation.

pallisers · 04/01/2019 20:32

Some surgeons will make the incisions (certainly not gentle as there are 8 layers to cut through apparently!), and then allow the baby to make its own way out which recreates some of the elements of a natural birth so they say...

I've had 2 planned c-sections and the idea of lying there pretty much unable to move while the baby wriggles out is horrific to me - sorry. I was very conscious of the fact that my abdomen was cut open and I could not move my legs so I wanted the baby safely out and my body sewn up and the epidural to wear off as quickly and safely as possible. I guess what I am saying is don't underestimate how you might feel yourself during a c-section.

In terms of darkened room after/putting baby on breast, then that sounds fine - although if the csecion is for emergency reasons they may need to check the baby first.

Her0utdoors · 04/01/2019 20:32

I don't have an answer, but good luck OP! There's definitely better ways to have an emcs, my first was horrible and I specified that given things were fine with me and the baby, if I needed another one then things would be different. I did need one and I wore my own comfortable nighty, I had the drip sited so I could bend my wrist and breastfeed more easily and the cord was left uncut until it went white, ds wasn't taken to be weighed until I was ready some time later. It made a difference. They had to jump up and dowton my ribs to free his head though, which wasn't very gentle!

mumofmunchkin · 04/01/2019 20:32

cocodemoll was it a planned section or an emergency section? Would be really interesting if they were able to do this in an emergency section.

CocoDeMoll · 04/01/2019 20:34

Obviously planned. I’d be amazed if any type of birth in an emergency could be gentle!!

mortifiedmama · 04/01/2019 20:34

There IS such a thing as a gentle section. It's gentle on baby, NOT mother.

It involves partially birthing the baby and allowing the uterus to contract around the baby, doing the rest of the birthing.

Benefits of gentle section;

fewer lung issues as mucus is squeezed out.
stimulation of the digestive system in baby
milk supply triggered more quickly.

Unfortunately OP I don't know of any in London, but also, if it's an emergency section I doubt they'd have time for a gentle section.

Hedgehog80 · 04/01/2019 20:36

I’ve had 5 sections the first was an emcs but the elective ones except number 4 were really relaxed. Even when I had complications with number 2 it wasn’t stressful
Number 5 was actually the best and was so so relaxed and they dropped the little curtain down so I could see ds being born it was a lovely experience

FrazzyAndFrumpled · 04/01/2019 20:37

Well I’d never heard of any of the ‘natural’ or ‘gentle’ c-section options! I think they should definitely think of another, less misleading name.

As pallisers said, I wouldn’t want to have my abdomen gaping open for any longer than necessary. Also, major abdominal surgery in a darkened room sounds a bit dangerous!

elliejjtiny · 04/01/2019 20:43

The nhs does this but only with elective c-sections. As with an emergency c section they need to get the baby out quickly and there isn't time to try and do it gently. I imagine that would be the case with private healthcare too.

For those who were asking, a gentle/natural c-section is when the Drs try and make it a bit less medical and more of an "experience" for the mum. It usually involves delayed cord clamping, baby passed over the screen to mum straight away, baby emerging from the cut hole themselves slowly instead of being hauled out by the surgeon, music, dimmed lights, that kind of thing. Personally I hated every minute of my c-sections and would rather they just got on with it as quickly as possible but some people like them. Each to their own I suppose.

Fatted · 04/01/2019 20:44

@CocoDeMoll I think a lot of people are perhaps instead advising the OP they are a little unrealistic in their expectations.

I've had an emergency and elective c-section. The emergency was by far the worst and it really was one of those life or death situations where my son's life was in immediate danger. With the best will in the world, often an emergency c-section is just that, an emergency, and there is no amount of leaving the baby to wriggle out, dark rooms, soothing music or skin to skin that's going to make any of it less traumatic.

On the other hand, I had an elective section which was much more calm and relaxed. Because it was planned. It wasn't a medical emergency. Although that being said, my son was having none of the wriggling out stuff. They had to use forceps to get him out!

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