Has anyone had a gentle caesarean?

[maryberryslayers]

If so how when did you ask for it? What did it consist of for you?

What was the hospital's response? Did they offer it readily or not know what you we're talking about?

Huh?

I asked my consultant about this, his response "where is everyone getting this from, csections aren't gentle"
He said that once the incision is made there'd be no contracting or muscle activity so how is the baby meant to come out.

No idea if this is accurate or not, I'm not definitely having a section so left it there

Is that in any way helpful @coronafiona? If you don't understand what something is, google it.

I'm booked for one in a few months. Hospital were really supportive and agreed to it providing all goes well on the day, however they were one of the first sites to do them so they are viewed quite positively here.

From what I know baby will be allowed to wiggle out, head of bed raised so I can see if I want, delayed cord clamping and immediate skin to skin/ first feed in theatre whilst they're stitching me up

@maryberryslayers it’s worth asking about it if you’re interested in one. Some hospitals will be receptive others dismissive. With the extra pressures of covid sometimes those extra niceties are going by the wayside which is a shame. If it’s an elective section to reassure you from friends who’ve had them they’re normally fairly chilled, jovial affairs and all have ‘enjoyed’ them to an extend. If you’re disappointed that you aren’t able to/won’t be having a natural birth I wouldn’t try to replicate it via section as it won’t happen. Focus on enjoying it for what it is- a life saving amazing procedure which saves mums and babies every day. Yes it’s not natural but neither is chemotherapy and it’s fabulous stuff! Good luck

Thanks @Parkandride, there's an NHS video of one being done in Nottingham where the baby brings its self out so they do happen, but I just wondered how common they were at other hospitals.

It was the other bits that were appealing to me really - electrodes on your back so you can have skin to skin straight away, delayed cord clamping, seeing her come out, calm room, my own music etc.

I used to work with a surgeon and she would do a 'gentle' elective section. Just very calm and controlled, would take baby out quite slowly, let baby sort of slowly move out of incision, talk to baby as baby was being born, was always a pleasure to watch.
A gentle section may mean different things to different people/ surgeons. If ur having a planned section, talk to the surgeon about what u would like they will either say yes or no

@iaminevitable would you mind me asking what trust you are under?
That sounds lovely, I'd love mine to be like that. It seems like a much nicer experience for mum and baby.

How on earth do you see over your bump I had an emergency CS 20 odd years ago and was still handed baby in theatre so not sure that's a specific thing tbh. However as you can feel nothing from the waist down, you may well feel very very unsafe about holding, let alone bf - I felt like I was going to drop baby so quickly handed to dh.

Thank you @Insaneinthemembranesweep I had a horrific birth last time and this will be my last so just trying to make it as calm and positive as I can.

[quote maryberryslayers]@iaminevitable would you mind me asking what trust you are under?
That sounds lovely, I'd love mine to be like that. It seems like a much nicer experience for mum and baby. [/quote]
I am under Nottingham, which as you've seen they show them on the website. Even here though not all consultants do them, it started with one and now there is a few others that do it.

Everyone I have spoken to through my care ie midwives have been so positive and enthusiastic about them, especially after an emergency section with my first it's meant to be a great experience.

If your trust won't agree to the full thing it may be worth picking out the key important bits to you ie skin to skin and seeing if they'll do those?

I’m not familiar with this concept and it sounds pretty improbable to me as someone who’s had three sections. They really had to tug pretty hard to get all three free ( including forceps with one. That said, I found both electives (first was an emcs) very calm and positive experiences.

Had skin to skin both times, was offered my choice of music but didn’t care, fed in recovery the first time and in theatre the second. Neither of us wanted to watch them pulled out but they held them up right away, DH told me the sex and then he cut the cord. They were cleaned and checked and then immediately handed to me for skin to skin. Everyone was lovely and kind and I felt safe and cared for.

I didn’t have a gentle section but I did have an ELCS with a lot of the bits common to a gentle section, if that makes sense? The hospital were super accommodating of my preferences, which were:

• partner present throughout including for spinal (I’d had an EMCS before and was terrified).

• own choice of music.

• delayed cord clamping.

• to be supported to see baby coming out (what you actually see is baby being lifted over your bump, you can’t see the incision at all so don’t worry about gore!).

• for baby to be passed to me immediately and skin to skin assuming no complications. This was actually physically very awkward because of the limited space and not really being able to move my arms much because of all the cannulas and stuff - I ended up with his foot in my mouth at one stage! I also felt fairly dire because of low blood pressure so asked DP to take him after about 5-10 minutes.

• I also wanted to see the placenta but that’s just me!

They acted as though all these things were completely normal and would have happened anyway (apart from maybe the placenta - but delayed cord clamping was routine).

Good luck, I’d had a previous traumatic birth too and this really helped lay a few ghosts to rest for me.

Oh, and this was at The Rosie (Addenbrookes) in Cambridge. Pre-Covid and just over a year ago.

Oh yes, first feed was in recovery, and DP could have cut the cord - I think they do that and then partner trims it - but he had zero interest.

I think the fewer expectations you have, the less disappointed you'll feel when it inevitably goes off-plan. You can request all that stuff for your c-section but it's still more than possible that you won't get what you expect.

My first c-section DS wasn't breathing and was immediately rushed to the NICU, I didn't even get to see him until hours later. My second c-section DD got stuck coming out and they had to be aggressive with the forceps, leaving massive cuts and bruises on her head.

I’ve not had one, but my midwife actually brought it up at my appointment. I will be having an elective section. She asked if I’d thought about a calm section.

She said it’s really encouraged and told me to give it some thought.

I’m quite excited at the thought of it!

My midwife said the focus on delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin, low lighting, music etc.

I don't mean to be rude or ignorant but what is the benefit of having a "gentle" c section? I thought most c sections where for particular medical reasons and baby needed to be out ASAP

I get the delayed cord clamping and skin to skin etc but waiting for baby to wriggle out is a new one on me

As I said I'm not here to cause trouble just genuinely curious

Surely it depends on a number of factors, my elective needed a ventouse as baby was too high up. did have brief skin to skin though.

I had an EMCS and asked about this, they honestly looked at me like I’d grown two heads

and fed after being stitched up in the waiting bit.

@sweetpotatopie12

I don't mean to be rude or ignorant but what is the benefit of having a "gentle" c section? I thought most c sections where for particular medical reasons and baby needed to be out ASAP

I get the delayed cord clamping and skin to skin etc but waiting for baby to wriggle out is a new one on me

As I said I'm not here to cause trouble just genuinely curious

My c section will be purely because I’ve had 3 previous sections and a Vbac is too risky. So no medical need other than so I don’t risk a rupture during contractions/labour x

I hadn't heard of this but after googling I think I had one!

DS couldn't get himself out of the incision though, he was massive and had to be wiggled out by a surgeon. The delayed cord clamping was standard as was skin to skin (I was asked if that was what I wanted). It made the whole procedure much better for me never mind DS. I didn't notice the time passing as they put me back together at all.

@sweetpotatopie12

I don't mean to be rude or ignorant but what is the benefit of having a "gentle" c section? I thought most c sections where for particular medical reasons and baby needed to be out ASAP

I get the delayed cord clamping and skin to skin etc but waiting for baby to wriggle out is a new one on me

As I said I'm not here to cause trouble just genuinely curious

C sections can be for many reasons and not always rushed! Mine is due to having one previously so I have chosen one this time, no medical urgency to getting baby out.

Benefits to baby include delayed cord clamping and the immediate skin to skin and feed. Benefits to mum are mainly mental, feeling more connected to the birth and may help when previous births have been traumatic.

🙄