C-Section Birth Plan - need feedback (cross posted in Feb DDC)

[Mindi22]

Hi!

The following is from our c-section birth plan = I'd appreciate any comments, suggestions, etc. I'm having a section on Monday for a complete previa.

Thanks
Mindi

During the C-Section:
- Mindi would like to see as much of the birth as possible, and be involved as much as is possible.
- Mindi would prefer not having any mind-altering drugs.
- We would like to have baby placed as soon as possible on Mindi’s chest after birth.
- We respectfully ask that everyone present limit conversation in the operating room to events directly related to the birth.

After the Birth:
- Baby should be immediately given to mom to start breastfeeding and bonding.
- We would appreciate the support and help of a lactation consultant with the breastfeeding process should any problems arise.
- Delay cord cutting as long as possible.
- D would like to cut the cord.
- No eye drops given to the baby. Mindi is free of gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- Any physical examination of the baby to be delayed as long as possible, and should be done in the room with both parents present.
- Baby to stay in room with parents. If NICU care is needed or necessary, baby should be accompanied by a family member as much as possible.
- If baby is a boy, circumcision is not to occur.
- No washing of the baby except by the parents.
- No Hepatitis B vaccine to be given to baby.

Thank you for your attention and adherence to our birth plan wishes. We look forward to sharing the special event with you and your staff.

[Narn]

Did you forget the Vitamin K shot, or are you cool with that one?

[DBZ]

Have you watched any c-sections on tv or anything? I'd recommend not watching it being done to you. When I had my c/s they strapped my arms down. Have it in your birth plan to have them both unstrapped immediately following the c/s. They only would unstrap one of mine. After the c/s you will go to recovery. Who will be with the baby then? You'll want someone with you as well. It's really lonely in there and depressing because you are now removed from everything.

[georgia]

You might consider checking this recent thread for more info, too

[kltroy]

Definitely discuss your birth plan with your doc or midwife (both?) ahead of time. I had a scheduled c/s for my son (breech) and was able to get some - but not all - of what I wanted. At the end of the day I felt ok about the experience, though I would never choose to do it again.

Also, if you would like to VBAC in the future, make sure you talk to the doc who's doing the surgery and let him/her know to sew you up extra good

For me one thing that helped was telling my baby when its birthday was going to be so that he/she (we didn't know) could get ready to come out. Also, taking all of the energy and focus that I had been preparing to get through labor and instead focusing on healing quickly helped a lot I think.

The NIH has a database of surgical videos - I watched one of a c/s before having mine and this was helpful for me. (I like this sort of thing anyway, though - I'm a medical researcher.) You can find it at:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/surgeryvideos.html

Good luck and happy healing!

[chinaKat]

During my c/s, I requested that I be allowed to watch the birth, instead of being shielded from view.

the anesthesia kept me from being able to really sit up and watch, so I didn't see as much as I thought I would... but DH, bless his heart, made a video with our camera and I've watched it over and over.

seeing DD come into the world really helped me connect with the birth experience and really be at peace with it in the long run... this coming from a mama that previously birthed naturally and was quite opposed to having a c/s.

[MamaJenese]

I have had two c sections where baby never left our side the entire time we were there. I would recommend asking your arms not be tied down. Both times they allowed my arms to be free I just had to promise not to touch anything blue. Also, we requsted no one announce the sex so as to let us discover ourselves. Make it clear you would like the baby to accompany you to the reovery room if you are not going directly back to a private room. Both times the hospital allowed this for us. If the baby needs warming while you are being sewed up or attended to request skin to skin contact with your partner rather then artificial warmer.

[liseux]

I'm a previously natural birther who has to have sections for several high risk reasons. My 2 C births were great experiences and I was able to have most of what you asked for with the first one, and all of it with the second. I chose the route of making the best of it and it was fine. Most doctors won't tie your arms down--that's more b/c of IV's and stuff--as long as you keep your hands up by your head they'll probably leave you alone. With my first section the baby had to leave with my dh while I was sewn up b/c he was being closely watched for a condition we were aware of, he was fine & we were reunited quickly, but I was on such a high from his birth I didn't experience that part as depressing. I think if you feel heard and respected that it can be a great experience however you give birth.

Also..I'm kind of vain and I really did not want a shower cap on my head. I just told them I would keep my hair braided and they were cool with that. I also wore makeup, toenail polish, jewelry & contacts. I think rooming in helps so much and I think you should have no trouble with getting to do that too. Walking early and often and taking acidophilus ( in case you get IV antibiotics) in the hospital helped with my recovery immensely.

Wishing you the best on Monday!

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by liseux

Also..I'm kind of vain and I really did not want a shower cap on my head. I just told them I would keep my hair braided and they were cool with that.

??
I've had four c-sections (two emergency and two scheduled) and my hair was completely loose for three of them. I had it in a ponytail from labour when I transferred with Aaron, and I think it was still in when they took me to OR. I certainly never had to wear anything on my head..

[KrisM]

I agree about not having your arms strapped down. It was not a problem when I asked.

Also, my OB asked if she could hold DD. This was just before I left the operating room. DH said okay. I was irritated because I had not held her yet. I understand that others will hold this baby before me, but not just to cuddle. DH can do that and then me .

I didn't try to breastfeed until recovery. I think it would be tough to do while on the operating table, as you're pretty flat on your back and have a screen up near your neck. It would be cool to do, but I'm not sure how well it'll work.

My babies never left me and were in recovery with me. The both breastfed within an hour or so of being born.

[Mindi22]

Thanks everyone for your input. I've updated my plan as follows.

During the C-Section:
- Mindi would like to see as much of the birth as possible, and be involved as much as is possible.
- Mindi would like to have her arms free and not restrained during birth.
- Mindi would prefer not having any mind-altering drugs.
- We would like to have baby placed as soon as possible on Mindi’s chest after birth.
- We respectfully ask that everyone present limit conversation in the operating room to events directly related to the birth. Mindi would like to have someone describe to her what is going on if she can’t see it.
- D would like to video baby’s exit from Mom.
- D would like to announce the sex of the baby.
- Delay cord cutting as long as possible.
- D would like to cut the cord.
- Mindi would like to view the placenta after its delivery.
- Mindi would prefer sutures to staples when closing the incisions.

After the Birth:
- Baby should be given as soon as possible to mom to start breastfeeding and bonding (if this is not possible, and baby needs NICU or further care, Mindi would like a pump to start pumping).
- No eye drops given to the baby. Mindi is free of gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- Any physical examination of the baby to be delayed as long as possible, and should be done in the room with both parents present.
- Baby to stay in room with parents. If NICU care is needed or necessary, baby should be accompanied by a family member as much as possible.
- If baby is a boy, circumcision is not to occur.
- No Hepatitis B vaccine to be given to baby.

Just as a side note, I had already discussed the arm restraint thing with the OB, and apparently it's not standard practice at this hospital. But, I'm gonna put in in the plan anyway!

As far as the circ and hep B goes, they also require separate consent forms, so it's more of a formality to have it in the plan. I still have some time today before I need to print this out, so I'm still open to suggestions!

Thanks everyone!
-Mindi