Gentle Cesarean Birth: What It Is And Things To Ask For

Whether you’re expecting to have a cesarean section, already have one scheduled, or are in the process of thinking over the possibility while you create your birth plan, there can be a whirlwind of emotions about the birth, the procedure and recovery. You may feel unsure, overwhelmed, or even afraid, especially if this is your first birth, or even your first surgery. Even if you are planning a vaginal birth, it’s important to consider the possibility of a cesarean, whether due to an emergency, positioning of the baby, or other factors determined by your care providers. As you’re thinking about your cesarean birth experience, you may want to consider talking to your provider about requesting a “gentle” or “family-centered” cesarean birth. A gentle cesarean is a non-emergent cesarean birth that accommodates certain preferences and procedures in the operating room, that allow the birthing mom and their partner to feel more calm and connected to the baby and the experience as a whole, instead of feeling like they are simply undergoing a medical procedure.

As with any surgery or medical procedure, there are rules or policies in place for cesarean births that every hospital must follow with the goal of protecting itself and its staff from liability. These policies include non-negotiable items like use of anesthesia, monitors and IVs. However, if your cesarean birth is planned and/or non-emergent (you will need to discuss with your care provider what constitutes as a true emergency), and there is time for decision-making, there are several things you can ask for that can make your experience in the OR one that is joyful, peaceful and memorable in all the right ways. It’s absolutely possible to have a cesarean birth and at the same time feel involved, heard, seen and feel close and connected to your baby.

Gentle Cesarean: Things To Ask For

If you find yourself headed into the OR for a non-emergent cesarean, there are a few things you can ask for to ensure you leave feeling more confident and satisfied with the birth experience, whether or not a cesarean was your “plan" A” for the birth or not.

  1. You can request a clear drape

    A clear drape makes it easier for you and your partner to see the moment the baby emerges, just as you would be able to see the moment baby emerges during a vaginal birth.

  2. You can request to have your own music played during the birth

    It may be possible to have your own birth playlist or favorite genre of music playing in the OR, which could help you and your partner feel more relaxed and calm during the process.

  3. You can request to delay cord clamping

    Even delaying cord clamping by as little as 30 seconds can provide great benefit to the baby and involves virtually no risk for the mother.

  4. You can request as soon as possible skin-to-skin

    It may also be helpful to request that the EKG monitors are not placed on your chest, as to leave room for the baby to lay across your chest. If the newborn does not need immediate emergency care, many of the assessment procedures can be done while the baby is with you.

  5. You can request to have your partner (or you) announce the sex of the baby

    If you’ve waited until birth to find out the sex of your baby, you can request that the doctors performing the surgery do not announce it, but rather allow you and your partner to do the honors.

  6. You can request for your arms to remain unrestrained

    If you also wish to hold your baby immediately or as soon as possible once they are born, you may want to request that your arms remain free to move instead of being restrained during the procedure.

  7. You can request to initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible

    If you are choosing to breastfeed, there is much evidence to support baby’s first feeding within the first hour of birth. You may want to ask if you can initiate breastfeeding while still in the OR instead of waiting until you are in recovery to hold and nurse your baby.

  8. You can request conversation be focused on your family

    During a vaginal birth, no one is (or should be) talking about what they’re doing that weekend or what they had for lunch. You can request that conversation during your cesarean birth be kept focused on your family and the baby. You can also request to be informed about what is happening as the procedure is occurring.

  9. You can request two support people in the OR

    Having the support of your partner and a trained labor support professional such as a doula in the OR with you can greatly increase your comfort, feeling of control, and give you additional voices to help advocate for yourself and your baby.
    *OR policies may be especially strict during the COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately limiting the amount of people allowed to accompany you to the OR. Ask your healthcare provider or contact the hospital ahead of time to learn their current policy.

  10. You can request to see or touch your placenta

    Many moms love to see or touch the incredible organ that their body created to nourish their baby for 9 months, it should be no different for those having a cesarean birth!

It’s important to know that you have the right to request certain procedures or request changes to policy, and in fact, oftentimes you can even find evidence-based information to support your decision-making. There is much evidence on things like immediate skin-to-skin, breastfeeding within the first hour, delayed cord clamping, support people in labor (including during cesarean) and on the incidence and frequency of cesarean births in general. Researching these things and finding facts to back up your choices will only help you feel more empowered and confident in your own experience and knowledge, and help you offer evidence-based information to your care providers. No matter what type of birth you have, in the end you will never regret making informed decisions and speaking up for yourself and for your baby.

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