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?

I didn't have an 'official' gentle c section, but after a traumatic labour and emergency c section with my 1st, i had an elective c section with my 2nd. They were worlds apart. I was exhausted and high on drugs with my 1st. My 2nd was like a dream in comparison. i was able to hold DD as soon as she'd been born (with a little support from DP as i was shaking a lot) and she stayed on me while they got the placenta out etc. I was aware of music, unlike the 1st and most importantly all the staff were calm. it was frantic with my 1st, lots of people, all rushing about, noise etc.
I didn't have to fight for my elective either, i know some people do. I just explained what happened the 1st time and they were happy to proceed that way.

“ 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 had all these as standard in my c section.
Delayed cord clamping (I asked they said it was policy due to latest research), held baby straight away whilst they stitched me up, music of my choice. It was a genuinely really lovely experience but I didn’t have to ask for it. In fact they suggested the music and for me to hold the baby straight away.

@YippieKayakOtherBuckets

I don’t really understand the dimmed light thing, though. I want the surgeon cutting in to my abdomen to be able to see exactly what she is doing.

There are lights aimed at the incision site, rather than the whole room being lit up like a supermarket. It’s not dark, it’s just calmer.

I didn't know what a gentle c section was but after a google I think that's what I had without asking? They got his head out and then there was a calm delay? Well enough for my husband to take a photo (at their instruction) they got the head out and then said right dad get your camera and he took a few photos. And then they slowly got him out. There was music. Immediate skin to skin etc. But I didn't ask for this it was just what they did! It was elective obviously

Also be prepared that even with your perfect plan and date in place, baby can have other ideas. I had an elcs booked, and was first on the list that morning, so was excited, prepared, and felt "in control". This all went out the window when my labour started the evening before, so my calm, controlled elcs ended up being another rushed emcs to get me to hospital, prepped, and baby out asap! (First birth turned a bit disastrous in final stage, and ended in emcs , which is why c section was advised 2nd time) by which point I just wanted baby out as quickly and safely as possible. Skin to skin is possible while in theatre, but not easy as there's not much room on the theatre bed, your blood pressure can be a bit all over the place, and you don't have any feeling in the lower half of your body. I held both my girls briefly post section, but quickly handed them to daddy as didn't feel great. Breastfed them and held them skin to skin straight after in recovery, and breastfed them both for 3 years, so I don't think the fact they didn't latch within the first hour had any negative impact.

@maryberryslayers just wondering how you got on with your request for a gentle c section?
I'm due to see my consultant this week and really keen on this idea. I've been a birth partner at an ELCS and although it was a nice experience, the mum had to ask me what the baby looked like as he was taken straight away to be cleaned and sorted out first, so I know what I'd like t avoid if possible x