bonding experience?

[babyvaughan]

I have to have a C-section to due to complications from past surgeries. Labor risks a lot to me, and some to baby! I have always known I would have a c section. I'm just starting to get sad over not being able to feel the pain of labor and then it all go away when they give him to me to put on my chest. Im sad I won't get to bond with him right that first few seconds. I am going to request they show me him right away and that DH gets to be as hands on as possible. My appointment I will ask how C-sections go at the hospital I deliver and see if I can make any requests for a more bonding experience. Did any of you have a c section and get that experience? I know a lot of women don't get to hold there baby until 2-3 hours later. I wanna breastfeed and I kiss him soon as I can!

 

[babyvaughan]

This is my first baby, but I TTC for a long time so I have watched many birth stories lol

 

[x__amour]

I think it will just depend on the hospital. I didn't hold either of my children until 4-5 hours until after they were born.

 

[DrMum]

I just got out of hospital yesterday after my second c section. I also had a very complicated vaginal delivery with our firstborn, so I've done both ways! This c section was my easiest and least traumatic delivery of all. They lowered the drapes and DH stood up so we could both see him being delivered. The pediatrician checked him over and then gave him to DH. The anesthetist helped DH move the drapes etc so they could lie him on my chest whilst I was still being closed up. as soon as we were in recovery I sat up and got him latched on with no problems.
So, it's definitely possible to have lots of bonding and photos and feel good about things! Good luck!

 

[babyvaughan]

DrMum, your experience is exactly what I want. I couldn't imagine waiting an hour or hour's! I want to be able to watch while they check him over, do the weight etc. I'm going to remind them right before they give me the spinal to let me be involved as much as possible!

 

[Tasha]

Babyvaughan did you see my long lost in the July thread?

Baby was held on my chest immediately, then within thirty minutes I was bf. I honestly don't feel I lost anything from my section x

 

[babyvaughan]

I didn't Tasha but that makes me happy I really want the bonding experience as long as its safe for him! When I go for my walk through of hospital I'm going to ask questions on making it possible!

 

[Tasha]

This is what I wrote

to the girls who are sick.

Yay for movements.

I've had an emergency c section and although it isn't my first choice it was actually an enjoyable experience. My baby was in distress so it was necessary to get her out but the staff were wonderful and kept me calm. They wrapped her when she was born as its a bit cooler in theatre but still placed her on my chest (someone else had to hold her on my chest as I couldn't due to the epidural), we were sown up and in hdu (they don't have recovery there so you go to hdu on the maternity ward) with thirty minutes and with a bit of support holding her (from DH), I was breastfeeding. I was up and about (around the whole ward) within six hours and had the catheta removed at the same time. By the next day so around 18 hours after, I was walking every where and 24 hours after I was only in paracetamol for pain relief, I went home after two days, staples taken out on day seven and the scar is barely visible now.

I honestly didn't and don't feel like I missed anything from the section that I got with the vaginal births I've had. I hope that helps xx

 

[mel28nicole]

I ended up having an EMCS after a failed induction. There was a possibility of meconium respiration (poo was in my waters when it broke) so when she was born she was looked over right away. After 5 minutes DH got to hold her and held her right next to me. After they went to clean her a little more and DH went back to the delivery room, they brought her back over to me so I could talk to her. I was back in the delivery room about 40 minutes after she was born and I got to hold her then. I enjoyed my experience, other than the 3 days of labor and then 3 extra days of staying in the hospital but I was happy she arrived safely!

 

[Kalabear]

I was shown my baby and was doing skin to skin on my chest within minutes. I held him the whole time I was being stitched. We started breastfeeding about thirty mins after my DS was born it was lovely. Having my second c/s this April and hope it goes exactly like our first good luck!

 

[QueenQueso]

I don't do skin-to-skin or hold the baby on the table, because the spinal affects me pretty strongly and I don't trust my arms to be safe. But they will lower the curtain so I can see the birth and the baby, then they wrap him warmly and DH carries him to the nursery where they check him over and weigh/measure while my surgery is finished. I get wheeled out of the OR directly to my private room (instead of going to a recovery room first, I think that's common at larger hospitals) and as soon as my bed is 'parked', DH wheels the baby bassinet in. It's a rule that babies are to be wheeled through the halls instead of carried (except for the initial move from the OR to the nursery, the bassinet isn't in the OR). So I will be holding and nursing the baby within 45 min of birth.

 

[broodymrs]

I had an emcs and they offered me skin to skin minutes after birth. I was too out of it to hold him so they lay him right next to my head. As soon as I was more comfortable I had lots of skin to skin and was breastfeeding. It was only about 20 mins after birth and dh snuggled with him while I was being stitched. Will have a planned section next time so hopefully a bit more with it and can hold lo straight away. My first birth still allowed us to bond

 

[Foxycleopatra]

I have had 2 csections, first was EMCS because bub went in to distress so sadly she was rushed straight to the NICU (she was fine after a little oxygen) so I didn't get to hold her till I returned to the ward from recovery, it was about 3 hours after birth that I got my first cuddle.

My second section was ELCS. It was a much more relaxed affair. As soon as she was out she was lifted up for me to see her. Within 2 minutes after they checked her vitals she was given too me. I held her while the stitched me back up. She was taken away by the midwives to do more checks and give her her first needles (daddy stayed with her the whole time) then was returned to me in recovery where she stayed the entire time.

 

[babyvaughan]

I'm going to talk to doctor at my next appt about being able to bond the most I can, I'm glad at least daddy gets to be very hands on! I'm having two doctors perform mine due to my high risk health situation so maybe it will be more relaxed as they will take turns working on me.

 

[Tigerlily01]

.

 

[babyvaughan]

I had a planned c-section due to high risk (complete placenta previa) and I still got to hold him/have skin-to-skin in the OR within about 2 minutes of him being born. They basically just rubbed him down with a towel, made sure he was breathing ok, and handed him right to me. They did cut the cord (so OH didn't break the sterile field), but OH got to cut it again so it was shorter once he was on our side of the drape.

I only ever had to hand baby over to OH for a few minutes, while they transferred me to a different bed to wheel me to recovery, and they did the rest of their checks on the baby during those couple of minutes. I BF in recovery. I think if anything had gotten complicated for either of us healthwise I may have had to wait longer to hold him, but since we were both fine, it worked out. Just tell your provider what you want, you may be able to do this as well depending on where you deliver.

Ahh that would be so perfect! I'm going to remind them right before/during to let me be apart of it the most I can!

 

[zorak]

I had an unplanned C-section with number one after he got stuck and honestly it was lovely. Due to meconium as soon as he was out he had to be taken to be suctioned for a few mins then they wrapped him and handed him to DH to bring to me. I was really shaky from the meds so DH held him as close to me as he could which was lovely. While I was getting stitched up they took DS to do some of the initial screening and DH went with him and held him the whole time. It only took about 5 mins and then they were both back with me. Once I'd moved to recovery the nurse took DS from DH unwrapped him and placed him naked on my chest so that was only about 40 mins ish after being born. We breastfed at that point (pretty badly but managed to do it ). I honestly don't feel like I missed anything and in a way I am glad DH got to hold him first it is a really special memory for him and I think it helped him bond with LO.

 

[ItsAWonder]

Before my c-section I spoke with my doctor and nurses about my desire to be with my baby as soon as possible. Our plan was to have at least one of my arms free during surgery. As soon as she was born a nurse was going to help hold her to my chest for skin-to-skin and to help me nurse. Unfortunately I had to have general anesthesia as I was allergic to the spinal. My husband was allowed to have immediate skin-to-skin. Within 45 minutes of my baby being born I was awake, with her and breastfeeding. I recommend talking to your doctor about your wishes in advance. A lot will depend upon hospital policy but exceptions can often be made with enough notice.

Re: bonding - I have to admit that due to all of the medication I received I did not feel an immediate bond. Although it took some time, it did come. Not everyone feels the gush of "your are my one and only" as soon as the baby is handed to you. It can take some time to get to know each other and, if that happens, it's okay and you are not alone.

In time your birth experience won't matter nearly as much as you think.

 

[Pearlie]

I'll be planning a c-section, I want to see everything and I want skin to skin immediately, I also will ask to hold the baby or my OH while
Going through to my room again. I want to do a print with my placenta aswell so I want to have them put it into a tub. I also want music on and as little people as possible in the room and to be able to walk IN the room will be amazing. My first was an awful experience which left me with PTSD and I won't even risk that again. Glad to hear that an in-control c-section is possible.

 

[BunnyN]

If there are no complications there isnt really a reason you shouldint get skin to skin right away while getting stitched up if you want to. Some doctors are less keen than others but its worth to push for. It is getting more common these days.