C-section advice

If you can afford it, there is a site called c section Uk. You can do a course. I got the 3 course bundle, I think for £100. But they split it into 3 and you can purchase separately. Their Instagram has loads of help too. Would really recommend it. Most hospitals now do delayed cord clamping of 1 minute, then immediate skin to skin with no weighing baby etc until later. You can then also try and breastfeed in the theatre. You can ask for something called a gentle c section too. It’s basically when everything is done slower. Some hospitals can dim the lights and have music playing. You can direct the medical team to be quiet, be chatty etc. I’m hoping to have something called a maternal assisted c section whereby they partially get baby out (head and shoulders, then I lift him out the rest of the way. This is because I really wanted a natural birth but can’t. There are tons of options for c sections, just think about what you want. I’m happy to talk more about i

Apologies I don't know anything about dressing types but I had a planned section with my son in 2022 and was able to have skin to skin lying down. I would however say that feeding didnt happen lying down though and i struggled to get milk without leaning forward. They didn't do delayed cord clamping and I didn't get a full hour. I have however been told that they have changed a lot at my trust more towards "natural" sections and they won't make my husband and baby leave the room except for a brief few minutes. I can also have delayed cord clamping. I think a lot of trusts are trying to make this move so fingers crossed for you

Birth Ed method also has great info on c section birth. For me a c section is safest but it’s also still surgery. It doesn’t need to feel clinical or routine. I’ve also had to do a fair bit of work mentally to adjust as I wanted a home birth with minimal intervention. Honestly here if you want to chat. It’s a hard place to be! I haven’t had a pic dressing personally but know people who have and they are very good. I don’t believe you’ll feel much difference, but could be wrong.

I had emergency and didn't get to hold baby until I was back in my room about 20 min later but he was on dad's chest the whole time. Once I got hold of him I had him until they needed to put a nappy on due to him pooing 😀 he fed straight away and I BF for 20mths so it won't have any negative affect on that.

I had an emergency section with my first, and have a planned section for my second. You can do all the birth preferences so please stay hopeful! Feeding- I was prioritised, just grab a midwife, they sat the bed up slightly so I was sitting upwards and no issues with feeding. Was able to do delayed cord clamping, skin to skin, play music, etc. Recommend watching some YouTube videos. I'm sure it'll be a wonderful experience! Good luck xx

There’s some good YouTube videos and nhs guidance on C-sections. The whole process should take around an hour with the baby out usually in the first 20 mins. You still get skin to skin and it’s still encouraged just the same

I've got a section on Tuesday as well! Feel free to message with any questions, this will be my 3rd x

Did you mean PICO dressing? If so I've experienced this and they are really good and helps the healing process to the point my scar is unnoticable.

What’s the reason you’re opting for a C-section now? X

I don’t know anything about a c-section myself but I just finish Siobhan Miller’s hypnobirthing book. You can make your c-section experience your own - music, lighting, what the clinical team discuss during your birthing experience, skin to skin, delayed cord clamping etc. You can still make it a positive birthing experience ✨ Best of luck and enjoy meeting your baby x

+1 to the above. I have one planned for 41 weeks instead of induction. PICO dressing is really good and lowers infection, I’m going to ask for one as they’re only generally given for GD. Your experience can be what you want with the music and preferences. My hospital do 3 mins delayed cord clamping and then can put baby on you (like a scarf mind) if that’s what you want. The midwives take pictures if wanted and you will get your golden hour as soon as the surgeons have finished. They won’t take baby away from you unless emergency and partners can be with them all the time if that does happen. Hope that helps x

@Jae🌝 I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes really late in pregnancy, blood sugars are not able to be controlled by diet and they want baby out at 38 weeks. Induction held too many risks x

Thank you so much everyone!! These stories have really eased my mind. The skin to skin is so important to me and I want to cling on to what I can when the natural birth is no longer an option. Sounds like I can still hold out for some things I wanted. I know normally you’d do birth preferences with your midwife but obviously this happened suddenly and I found out today and have the section on Tuesday. Does anybody know who I tell my preferences to? Will it be a midwife on the day who supports me through it all? X

@Sarah here are some resources for you. You can absolutely still decline a C-section or induction. Have a look at these so you can make an informed decision ❤️ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-midwives-cauldron/id1523178579

@Sarah https://midwifethinking.com/2018/03/20/gestational-diabetes-beyond-the-label/?amp

Write it all down and you will have a chance to speak with a midwife and other staff on the day :)

@Stephanie thank you so much x

@Jae🌝 Thank you I’ve had an in depth discussion today with a specialist diabetic midwife and a doctor and made an informed decision based on a lengthy discussion.

I had an elective on Wednesday and had delayed clamping and then was passed her straight over the curtain for skin to skin. It was so lovely, so definitely let them know that's what you want, shouldn't be a problem

Hey, I had an emergency C section last Friday (25/10) at 37 weeks as my baby was breech & I went into labour. I was also disappointed when I was told I needed a c section but at the time I really didn’t care. My hospital did delayed cord clamping, they held him up attached to me for a few minutes and I had skin on skin within a few minutes of him being cleaned up. My partner also got to cut the cord. We were wheeled round to recovery with my baby on my chest and I had more than the golden hour while I recovered. They then encouraged feeding and I basically had skin on skin for a few hours after. I had the Pico dressing, it was fine. It’s quite a thick pad so you feel protected and it’s attached to a little pump that you can clip onto your PJs/clothes. My c section experience has been really positive. I removed the dressing yesterday (7 days after birth) and was impressed at the very thin and neat wound/scar. Good luck!

I second c section uk bundle, I am also having c section on Tuesday while was planning for home birth the entire pregnancy. I don’t have enough time to spend hrs on YouTube and research info, so thought a concise course with the critical info will relieve my anxiety.