Caesarean Birth:
Making Informed Choices.
Planning Future Births After A Caesarean/s.
There are basically two choices of birth mode:
-
A repeat caesarean
-
A vaginal birth
If you choose a repeat elective caesarean, or your professional
caregiver recommends an elective caesarean, for medical or social
reasons, then the information contained previously in this booklet
will help you to make an informed choices about the pros, cons,
risks and consequences of this mode of birth.
Not all women can achieve a vaginal birth, for their own specific
reasons and VBAC may not always be a viable option when each pregnancy/birth
is considered independently. Birth is a sacred life event, even
when it is surgical, and I'm sure most Mothers would appreciate
it being treated as such. This is the birth of a child, a completely
different surgical experience than any other, an experience to be
treated as similarly to a vaginal birth experience as is humanly
possible.
'The results of the tests weren't as good as
we would have liked, the baby was showing signs of distress, and
it had to be born today. With plenty of discussion and thought we
decided that a Caesarean was absolutely necessary for the health
of our child.'
Below are just some suggestions to make your caesarean more acceptable
to both yourself and your baby. They are from the Birthrites website
'Planning a positive caesarean' page.
-
If you do need a caesarean, then it would be
better for you to receive a spinal/epidural anaesthetic and remain
conscious during the operation, participating in the birth of
your child.
-
If an emergency caesarean is necessary, under
general anaesthetic, then be sure your baby is given to your partner
as soon as possible after birth and held by him (hopefully next
to his naked chest - skin to skin contact) until you are awake
and can be told of the baby's sex and well-being (by your partner).
-
If an elective caesarean is necessary, then you
could request that you be able to begin labour naturally before
the caesarean is done. That is, you do not want a date and time
preset, you wish for your baby to decide the day on which it is
ready to be born to avoid any problems with prematurity and for
both of you to reap the benefits of your hormones.
-
If you are convinced that a scheduled caesarean
must be performed, then you should request preoperative blood
work and tests to be done on an outpatient basis, and hospital
admission on the day of the birth (not the night before).
-
Your can request that your baby remain with you
at all times, no disappearing off to the nursery with your partner.
This separation may seriously affect your bonding with your child.
If your baby must go to the nursery, then DO send your partner
and encourage the "skin-to-skin" contact mentioned before. Your
baby will really be craving this beautiful contact, and should
recognise your partner's voice.
-
Would you, and your partner, like to view the
actual birth? Then make sure your Ob. realises this... Tell him
you (both?) would like the option of viewing the birth, either
by lowering the screen or by positioning a mirror. Maybe your
previous caesarean is still a bit unreal, as you never have actually
seen a baby leave your body - they tend to just appear from behind
the green screen and be held up for a quick look before they disappear
to be wrapped up and tested.
-
Make sure theatre staff realise that you would
appreciate a verbal description of the birth as it occurs. You
may have previously felt left out of your past caesarean(s) as
your body and labour might have been discussed as though you weren't
there.
-
How about asking the surgeon to leave the umbilical
cord long and allow the father or mother the chance to cut it.
That way the parents do not miss out on the sensation or their
own right to tell their story of 'cutting a cord.
-
I bet you would love to meet your new baby in
his/her unclothed, naked newborn state - a wet, slippery baby?
Then request that the baby please be placed on your chest with
a warm blanket over you both. It would do a lot to make this surgical
delivery a bit more natural for mother, father and baby. And it
may even resolve a few inner conflicts that are faced after the
birth.
-
How about breastfeeding your baby straight away,
rather than hours later? Let them know that you would like to
feed your baby while you are being sutured, if you feel up to
it, and you would like your baby to stay with you throughout the
surgery and even during the recovery. Or you could arrange for
the lactation consultant of the hospital (or your own private
one) to be present at the caesarean birth and bring the baby to
you in recovery, to breastfeed within that first hour of birth.
-
Let them know that your partner would be delighted
to hold his/her child within your view throughout these procedures,
if you feel unable to participate in the bonding (at least you
would be able to witness it this time).
-
You may also be able to organise with your doctor
to allow a quiet relaxation CD to be played throughout the birth.
Chosen by the parents of course. They may find the music so enjoyable,
that they may make it a regular part of caesarean births. Don't
let it intrude on the birth, though, just gently enhance the experience.
-
And lastly, what about that placenta? Most women
who birth vaginally get to see it, at least, and maybe you would
like to too. Make sure theatre staff know you want to view the
placenta. Make sure they realise the importance of this and let
them know not to just discard a part of you that you have carried
for nine months as insignificant. You may like to take the placenta
home, to plant under a tree, or even to eat (see the placentophagy
article on the Birthrites website) so please tell them to be sure
to make suitable arrangements with you to see that this happens.
Make a birth plan!
Have several copies with you and give it to everyone involved
in you caesarean!!! They won't know what is important to you unless
you let them know. Birthrites hopes that your caesarean is everything
that you need to make it acceptable to you. That you and your baby
reap the rewards of fore planning a better birth experience, both
physically and emotionally.
To find out how to obtain a free copy, or how you
can organise to distribute the booklets, please click
here.
|