In this blog I want to give you my best tips for how to have the best possible c-section.
If you are a mama who is planning to have a cesarean or who just wants to learn how to make the most of her cesarean in the event that you may need one, these tips are for you!
First let’s talk about what a gentle cesarean really means. This means to me that you want to go into your surgical experience making an effort to help it not feel so surgical. Now you might be thinking, “Jerica, how is that even possible?” Well what I mean is that in a gentle c-section you can advocate for things that you may not be offered in a c-section birth that you would probably be offered if you’d had a vaginal birth. These include having a support person (or 2) at your side for your birth, cutting the umbilical cord, immediate skin to skin, early initiation of breastfeeding, newborn assessments completed with your baby skin to skin (rather than immediately being rushed to the infant warmer for assessment if all looks stable), a golden hour filled with uninterrupted skin to skin time (even if you are still in the operating room having your uterus closed up) and not being separated from your baby if you and baby are doing well. This can also include being able to see your birth if you choose to have a clear drape or mirror.
These are characteristics of a c-section that could be the best one for you! These are characteristics of a c-section that has a higher chance of making you feel like an active participant and have a satisfying birth experience. Having a surgical birth does not have to leave you feeling excluded, at a loss of control or separated from your baby. Do not settle for that mama. ADVOCATE!! It’s up to you!!
Here is how you can have the best c-section possible:
Start learning.
Learn about the procedure. What is normal. What are the most common complications and how likely are they to happen? What is normal for my cesarean recovery? What is abnormal for my cesarean recovery? Being educated about what to expect, what your options are and what is possible for you is the first step to knowing how to ask for what you want.
Prepare in advance if you have a planned cesarean.
Eat well and be active during pregnancy. Seriously though doing so plays a huge role is a smooth postpartum recovery. The better your health coming into your birth, the easier your recovery will be.
Other things you can do to prepare can include: Tour your birth place, ask for a phone call with your anesthesia team before the procedure, ask about your provider’s methods for uterine suturing and specify that you want to be given double-layer suturing, discover the routine procedures at your birth place for c-sections, ask if your birth place has clear drapes, ask if your birth place supports gentle cesareans and how they do so.
Prepare for support during your birth.
Know how many people can be with you at your birth. Can you have 1 or 2 people? Does this include a certified doula? Does this include a birth photographer? If that is something you want, ask ahead of time how that might look for your birth. Knowing you are going to have major abdominal surgery, look into breastfeeding classes and support and ask questions about overcoming struggles associated with breastfeeding after a cesarean.
Consider waiting for labor to start before going in for your cesarean.
How sure are you of your baby’s gestational age? Waiting for labor to start can benefit your baby in many ways.
- Helps to prevent accidental premature delivery
- Decreases your baby’s chances of admission into the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit)
- Decreases your baby’s chances of developing a rare but severe condition called pulmonary hypertension
- Ask your provider to schedule the procedure as close to your due date as possible
You still need a birth plan too mama! Here are things to consider for your cesarean birth plan:
- State who you want in the operating room with you.
- Do you want to be told what is happening throughout the procedure?
- Do you want a clear drape to be used or to be given a mirror so you can see if you want to?
- Do you want and are you allowed a birth photographer?
- Who do you want to announce the baby’s sex?
- Do you want your support person to be able to cut the umbilical cord?
- Do you want to do skin to skin in the operating room?
- Do you want your partner to be with the baby at all times if the baby leaves the operating room before you do?
- Consider asking if you can initiate breastfeeding while you are in the operating room. Especially if there are any delays in finishing up your procedure.
- If you experience anxiety, shivering or nausea, do you want to be given medication to help ease it? If so, be prepared to ask for medications that will not make you sleepy because this side effect could interfere with your ability to initiate breastfeeding and bonding with your baby.
Do you have a clear understanding of your reason for needing a cesarean?
Continue asking your provider questions about the risks and benefits of a cesarean given your unique circumstances until you feel that you have a complete understanding and are moving forward being informed. This will increase your chances of having a satisfying surgical birth. I also recommend you ask any questions you have about your birth events to your doctor during your postpartum so you can completely understand the decisions that were made and why they were necessary. Doing so can help you process everything that occurred during your birth.
Advocate for early and continuous contact with your baby.
A cesarean can keep you in the operating room for a good portion of your baby’s 1st hour of life. There are research proven benefits of maintaining close, continuous contact with your baby during the 1st hour after birth. This time period is known as the golden hour. I discuss it in detail in this blog post. Advocate for your uninterrupted skin to skin time in the operating room with your baby.
Plan for postpartum.
You will need to plan to have support as you recover from your major surgery. Have a plan for what medication you want to take for your post surgical incision pain. Have that discussion with your provider before your birth. Be prepared for what restrictions you will have physically after your birth. These can include not lifting anything heavier than your baby for several weeks, no driving, no bending down for laundry or pushing a vacuum. Be prepared for what to expect with incision care.
I said it at the beginning and I will say it again my friend! Having a surgical birth does not have to leave you feeling excluded, at a loss of control or separated from your baby. Do not settle for that mama. ADVOCATE!! It’s up to you!! Follow the action steps I have laid out here for you mama and start having conversations with your provider at your next appointment!
Let me know any ways I can help you further! Send me a message @Unpopularmoms or email me!
Talk to you soon!
