Is this possible with an Elective C Section?

[coffeefee]

Hiya

I've just been approved for an Elective due to horrendous previous tears and hemorrhage- but I'm obviously nervous.

Is there such thing as an "natural as possible" c section?

I would love to actually witness my baby come out - is this possible?

Also can he be placed directly on my chest straight after birth without being cleaned and wrapped?

Does breastfeeding get off to the same start?

What's the general rule here? I have done some research online but there isn't much info?! Any experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :)

Yes you can request a gentle csection in most hospitals now, write good birth preferences. I requested and got: screen lowered so I could see him being born (for the most part, tough angle on the neck!), delayed cord clamping, immediately placed on my chest then while I was stitched up. Breastfeeding established in recovery, left alone just us 3 as much as possible for the first hour.

Yes it is possible. In particular bc was fine with both my cs.

With my 2nd (semi emergency section done by the nightshift) I had:

Husband present and holding me for the spinal.
The curtain removed entirely just before the first bit of her came out. It was absolutely amazing watching her move under my skin and outside my body at the same time. They also placed the curtain as far down as possible to make plenty of room for skin to skin.
Delayed cord clamping. They put her on my legs whilst it pulsed.
She was then passed to the midwife, got a 2 second rub but was still covered in vernix/my blood and was popped straight on my naked chest before we were both covered with a blanket. No nappy, no babygrow.
We were also offered the placenta in a plastic box.
All checks, measurements and vitamin K given in recovery.

This is all really encouraging - thank you :)

I had my 3 ELCS many years ago and they were very positive experiences. I chose a cd to listen to and they dropped the screen so we could watch the birth. I actually was able to watch most of the c-section by looking at the mirrors around the lights above the surgeons! They encouraged skin to skin contact and did they all they could to support breastfeeding. With ds1 and ds2 it was a little challenging to begin with but the midwives on the whole were fantastic. I think because ELCS are planned and follow a set pattern they are generally much calmer.