Skin to skin post c section

[Chiaseedz]

I had a c section a few years ago (planned but due to medical issues) and was told immediate skin to skin was fine etc etc. in reality, baby was taken to be weighed/have the cord cut by dad/have fingers and toes counted at the side of the room before we did any skin to skin. It was probably only a few minutes delay but I wonder if this is normal / if I I can insist on faster skin to skin next time? I was a bit woozy so it was ok but remember finding it hard to hear him cry across the room!

I could have written this post and my section wad only 10 weeks ago. I was promised immediate skin to skin but they took him to weight him and do all the checks, which took longer because they had to get new scales 🙄 I could hear him screaming across the room but I couldn't see him, I kept trying to ask if my baby was okay but no one could hear me and I just lay there getting stitched up with tears falling down the sides of my face. I'm sorry I don't want to make you feel worse. I am definitely going to discuss this at my next appointment. I found that more traumatic than my first delivery which was zero pain relief, forceps assistant and tore for England.

Definitely insist this time!!! Your baby doesn't need to be weighed immediately, stand your ground and get that baba in your arms x

Sorry you had the same experience @dontcomeatme

Yes I wonder if they do need to go asap for the vitamin K shot? And worry I'll feel worse if baby 2 gets immediate when baby 1 didn't so maybe it's best to not say anything. But it was all unexpected and a real shame because everything else about it was good

The babies airways need to be properly cleared which doesn’t happen naturally with a section and then they do the cord and a quick measurement. It’s around a minute and is typically what they mean by “immediate skin to skin” as previously it wouldn’t have happened in theatre. It’s much more logical for it all to be done quickly together and then you have the baby in your arms for that point on while they close you up and it’s not interrupted.

I had an elective c section a couple of years ago and was told of baby cried straight away I could have immediate skin to skin…I had a more gentle c section where the drapes were lowered and they slowly got DS out and he cried while still only halfway out! So they brought him straight up to me and I was able to have him lie against my face for a minute. Then he was taken to be weighed, cord clamped etc but was back on my chest very quickly and lay there for the whole operation.

While he was on the resuscitaire the anaesthetist held a mirror up so I could see what was going on, which I appreciated!

Thanks @Sofiewoo - baby did cry before they took him away so think his airway was fine? It was indeed very quick time he was away and baby was back with me and fed while I was still being operated on but it just really took me by surprise as it's not what I thought we'd discussed happening. I see your point though that it has to happen at some point and maybe it's easier to just get it done. But I still think about it and how sad and confused I was in the moment.

@DamnitCarol how did you feel having to give baby back after you'd had them?

@Chiaseedz I was fine with it, they had explained in advance exactly what was going to happen, they were only about 6ft away from me and my husband was with him and everyone talked to me and kept me informed about what they were doing. It was only a couple of minutes.

My first baby resulted in a haemorrhage and 3rd degree tear, and I was taken to theatre for 3 hours immediately after birth. DS1 got skin to skin with DH but he wasn’t fed at all for those 3 hours and I was too ill when I returned from theatre to properly hold him for a while.

I was grateful for the calm and controlled ELCS and the fact that I managed skin to skin pretty much immediately.