Birth plan for C-Section

[SJC270]

Due to baby being breech, I'm currently scheduled for a c-section in under 2 weeks (eek!). Obviously this means a lot of the birth plan I'd created is no longer relevant, but the midwife suggested I come up with a new birth plan for the c-section.

As a FTM, I'm a bit stumped. The only thing I've come up with so far is skin-to-skin with the baby asap afterwards if this is medically possible. I checked out an NCT template which freaked me out because of the length and options. Does anyone have any suggestions of things they wished they'd asked for/did ask for/would ask for next time?

I had an ELCS too and I didn't have a birth plan at all (other than have a baby). The only thing that my midwife told me to consider was BCG vaccinations (which are given at my hospital but I know it's not the same everywhere). The only other element of my birth plan, such as it was, was that I'd agreed with my midwife and consultant for as fast a discharge as possible.

@SJC270 you could request a 'natural c section' , have a Google and there is a great video on YouTube. It's where they allow the baby to push themselves out, which is better for their lungs. Plus they will lower the screen if you wish so you can watch the baby come out too ☺️

littleheartsbiglove.co.uk/a-natural-caesarean-birth/

This one was performed at Torbay hospital where I'm having my twins by natural caesarean in just over two weeks

@mynameiscalypso - ha! That was pretty much the essence of my original birth plan too: have healthy baby as safely as possible. Good point about the recovery. I'm hoping that with Covid-19 they'll be trying to turf us out quickly anyway.

@ChampooPapi: ooh I'll google, I've not heard of that before...

I had a birth plan with vbac and csection options, ended up with a csection and the ones that applied were (from what I can remember):

Screen lowered for me to see baby being born
Nothing done to me or baby without explaining to us first and us agreeing to it (medication, procedures, formula, etc)
Delayed cord clamping
Baby to be put on me immediately while I was stitched up
For us three to be alone as much as possible for a quiet hour after birth in recovery if neither of us required additional care.

I got every single one of them, they took it very seriously!

Agree re gentle or natural section.

Mine also had things like catheter out ASAP, I hate them. Also own room if possible. I was quite vulnerable. Criminal and family solicitor locally. There were two clients in ward, one opponent and then as the days went on it appeared I had acted for or against most of the staff. They did indeed move me to my own room straight away but I found that vulnerability very hard to manage initially.

I also had dh to tell me what baby was, they don't let him cut cord here but he did tell me she was a girl and I don't think I will ever forget that

Thank you all so much - this is really helpful! Things like having a quiet hour in recovery if possible were not even things I was remotely aware I could ask for!

I did mine this week with the midwife. Much as people said above

Delayed cord clamping
Skin to skin as soon as possible a d while being stitched up
Baby held up to see sex
Vitiman K given
General anesthesia as total last option (which I am sure it is anyway.

But the main one is being told what is happening. I had an emergency section with DS which is of course a whole different kettle of fish but they ignored me. And I mean ignored me.

The aneathetist at my head would not look at me even though I was trying to ask what was going on. I was calm, not hysterical or anything and I am sure there are good reasons and it was very stressed session but it made me feel very out of control and worried as I would rather know some things.

I was struggling to breath and kept telling him and he would flat out ignore me. I had to ask the student midwife to speak to him or my partner once he was there before he would listen and give me an oxygen mask etc. It was very unpleasant

I’m having a c section on Friday. As well as what others have said above about delayed cord clamping, skin to skin, vitamin K etc... DH is still hoping to cut the cord and we are also going to play some wave/rain sounds to help relax us. We’ve also asked to stay on recovery for as long as we can as once we move to the labour ward DH has to go home and there’s no visiting at all.

@SJC270 the quiet hour is important for establishing breastfeeding if that's something you want to do.

I've just watched the natural csection video and I'm balling my eyes out. That is so beautiful and literally the closest thing to a natural delivery.
I'll know next week wether I'm having a section or not cause my baby is stuck shoulder down/transverse.
How long before your due date is your section planned?
Thank you xx

@LRHRN I know, it's fab isn't it 🥰. I think it really depends on trusts when they tell you the date, or whether it's been 'agreed'. For example with mine as they are twins I asked at 20 weeks with my consultant and she agreed and got the consent forms there then and which I signed.

But it wasn't until my 34 week appointment last week that I got the actual date booked. I think most are booked between 30 and 38 weeks though 😊

@LRHRN - mine is booked for 39+1 and I got the date at 37 weeks (I had an unsuccessful ECV at 36+5 and got referred after that)

I had an emergency cesarean last time but I had a ceserean birth plan just in case (thankfully!). It will be the same again this time (aiming for a VBAC).

Drapes dropped to see the delivery
Music of our choice (most operating theatres have Bluetooth speakers in my experience - I’m a midwife)
Delayed cord clamping
Baby not to be examined by a paediatrician or go onto the resuscitare unless born in poor condition
Immediate skin to skin in theatre
Baby not to be weighed/measured/given vitamin k for at least an hour after birth and ideally after the first feed
Husband to go with baby should they need to be transferred to special care

This time we’d like to use a cord tie too, so if needing a cesarean we’ll ask for the cord to be cut long, then we can use the tie and trim it in recovery.

@ChampooPapi if the baby is breech, you can't do the "delivering themselves" bit as that only really works if the head is coming out first. The rest of the "gentle" CS should be mostly possible though.

Thanks all - this has really been incredibly helpful and now I feel a bit more in control of my options!

We had talking in hushed tones as much as possible once baby was ‘coming out’
This was due to religion and that we would like baby to hear Shahada as soon as they’re born (Muslim)
The team were brilliant, said they would need to talk but would be as quiet as possible so as to respect our wishes

@SockQueen yes I think only one of my twins will end up doing the delivering itself thing as the other one is not in a favourable position, still time for some movement so could be possible that it works for both, though also possible it doesn't work out for either of them! I am looking forward to it all though, had two natural vaginal births before so it's a new experience for me!