s/o - C-Section "Birth Plan"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there such a thing as a C-section birth plan? In other words, if I do require a section, can I have a list of things I do and don't want, or am I just stuck with the whims of the people in the room? For example, as I raised on the other thread, I feel like being strapped down is going to freak me out and give me nightmares, and I solemnly promise not to grope at the divider or rip out my IV. Can I request not to be and expect them to abide by it? Can I request that they do most of the baby testing in my line of sight so that DH can stay with me while I'm stitched up?

My OB implied that a consult with the hospital people wasn't likely to be worth much since I'm stuck with who I'm stuck with on the day, which made it sound very inflexible. I'll be at Sibley if that makes a difference.

Do you think anyone ever goes in thinking "I am going to rip out these IVs from my arm in 3...2...1...!"?

No, but I think some people have enough self-awareness to know how they would respond in an emergency. My fight or flight reflex from being restrained would be much greater than the risk of me ripping out an IV given how much I hate having them put in. I can't be the only one given that this isn't even standard practice in the U.K. (considered inhumane) and a significant number of U.S. hospitals.

You don't know until you're there, no matter how you try to rationalize. You may pass out from pain, or you may turn in a way that will interfere with the IV. If you're planning to lay still anyway since you're so in control, what difference does it make if your arms are fixed or not?

Stop being obtuse. The prior post made clear that being strapped down is what makes me feel out of control and trapped. Just being told not to move my arms, I can do. Your turn to answer questions - what makes it so 100% necessary that all C-section patients be strapped down? If it is necessary, why don't women in the UK die at massively higher rates since they aren't strapped down and why do all of the uber-liability-conscious hospitals in the U.S. not mandate it?

There's no "100%" or "all". It depends on the doctor, the patient, and the circumstance. You kinda bit PP's head off. She was right; you don't know until you're there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there such a thing as a C-section birth plan? In other words, if I do require a section, can I have a list of things I do and don't want, or am I just stuck with the whims of the people in the room? For example, as I raised on the other thread, I feel like being strapped down is going to freak me out and give me nightmares, and I solemnly promise not to grope at the divider or rip out my IV. Can I request not to be and expect them to abide by it? Can I request that they do most of the baby testing in my line of sight so that DH can stay with me while I'm stitched up?

My OB implied that a consult with the hospital people wasn't likely to be worth much since I'm stuck with who I'm stuck with on the day, which made it sound very inflexible. I'll be at Sibley if that makes a difference.

Do you think anyone ever goes in thinking "I am going to rip out these IVs from my arm in 3...2...1...!"?

No, but I think some people have enough self-awareness to know how they would respond in an emergency. My fight or flight reflex from being restrained would be much greater than the risk of me ripping out an IV given how much I hate having them put in. I can't be the only one given that this isn't even standard practice in the U.K. (considered inhumane) and a significant number of U.S. hospitals.

You don't know until you're there, no matter how you try to rationalize. You may pass out from pain, or you may turn in a way that will interfere with the IV. If you're planning to lay still anyway since you're so in control, what difference does it make if your arms are fixed or not?

Stop being obtuse. The prior post made clear that being strapped down is what makes me feel out of control and trapped. Just being told not to move my arms, I can do. Your turn to answer questions - what makes it so 100% necessary that all C-section patients be strapped down? If it is necessary, why don't women in the UK die at massively higher rates since they aren't strapped down and why do all of the uber-liability-conscious hospitals in the U.S. not mandate it?

There's no "100%" or "all". It depends on the doctor, the patient, and the circumstance. You kinda bit PP's head off. She was right; you don't know until you're there.

You must have missed the "since you're so in control" clause and general dismissive tone.

[Anonymous]

Having your partner in the room and being able to nurse right away. I really resent that I had to wait to nurse and I think that partly F'd up my nursing relationship with my son.

[Anonymous]

I had a c-section after a long labor that did not progress (baby was face up) and I don't recall being strapped down. The whole thing was pretty calm- other than the fact I was having unexpected major surgery. My husband was in the room the whole time and after delivery I think the baby was as well. I was offered (totally optional) and accepted some quick acting drugs that let me sleep for about 10 minutes while I was being stitched up- and considering I hadn't slept all night- it felt pretty damn good.

[Anonymous]

My arms were not strapped down for My c section at georgetown; they were placed in a holder thing but if I needed to scratch my nose or Something I could. I personally would not ask to play my own music- I wasn't the one doing the work- the OB was and I wouldn't want her performing major abdominal surgery to music she hated or to music at all if she preferred silence durin surgeries. FWIW I am an OR nurse and each dr has specific music requests or requests silence.

[Anonymous]

I had a c-section at Sibley, though it was a couple of years ago. I didn't really have a plan as my son arrived very early and unexpected. My H was welcomed into the operating room, however he did have to wait until I had gotten my epidural and was lying on the bed before he entered. He sat right next to me and held my hand the whole time. There was no strapping down at all. The neonatal doctor took care of my son immediately after birth, but the bed was positioned so we could see him. My H even held him briefly before he was taken to the Special Care for admitting.

It can't hurt to have a plan in place, though I have to say that my experience was better than I thought. I didn't even have to take my contacts out! And the staff was wonderful, even wheeling me into Special Care to see my son before I was brought to my room.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there such a thing as a C-section birth plan? In other words, if I do require a section, can I have a list of things I do and don't want, or am I just stuck with the whims of the people in the room? For example, as I raised on the other thread, I feel like being strapped down is going to freak me out and give me nightmares, and I solemnly promise not to grope at the divider or rip out my IV. Can I request not to be and expect them to abide by it? Can I request that they do most of the baby testing in my line of sight so that DH can stay with me while I'm stitched up?

My OB implied that a consult with the hospital people wasn't likely to be worth much since I'm stuck with who I'm stuck with on the day, which made it sound very inflexible. I'll be at Sibley if that makes a difference.

Uh, where are you delivering because (a) I wasn't strapped down (b) The baby was cleaned up/tested within my line of sight and (c) My husband was right next to me the whole time except when I was getting my epidural shot and even then, they called him right away when I said I needed him NOW. This was at VHC in 2013.

[Anonymous]

Why don't they let the husband in the room while they are doing the epidural? Sorry if this is common knowledge. I just don't know the answer to this question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there such a thing as a C-section birth plan? In other words, if I do require a section, can I have a list of things I do and don't want, or am I just stuck with the whims of the people in the room? For example, as I raised on the other thread, I feel like being strapped down is going to freak me out and give me nightmares, and I solemnly promise not to grope at the divider or rip out my IV. Can I request not to be and expect them to abide by it? Can I request that they do most of the baby testing in my line of sight so that DH can stay with me while I'm stitched up?

My OB implied that a consult with the hospital people wasn't likely to be worth much since I'm stuck with who I'm stuck with on the day, which made it sound very inflexible. I'll be at Sibley if that makes a difference.

Do you think anyone ever goes in thinking "I am going to rip out these IVs from my arm in 3...2...1...!"?

No, but I think some people have enough self-awareness to know how they would respond in an emergency. My fight or flight reflex from being restrained would be much greater than the risk of me ripping out an IV given how much I hate having them put in. I can't be the only one given that this isn't even standard practice in the U.K. (considered inhumane) and a significant number of U.S. hospitals.

What about the people who think they are self aware but are not? How would the doctor tell if you are the former or latter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't they let the husband in the room while they are doing the epidural? Sorry if this is common knowledge. I just don't know the answer to this question.

It's a pretty large bore needle, and if you are having an epi, not a spinal, they thread in a catheter. Too many partners pass out.

[Anonymous]

Yes you can have a cesarean birth plan
Doulas also support cesareans
Don't listen to anyone who mocks you. Just because it's a surgical birth doesn't mean you should stop advocating for yourself or your baby.
"Birth plans" are often partially baby related requests: skin to skin, exclusively breastfed, delayed procedures, Hep B vaccine yes/no/delay, etc. The cesarean way of delivery doesn't suddenly mean you shouldn't/can't have a birth plan (or "birth preferences" list)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there such a thing as a C-section birth plan? In other words, if I do require a section, can I have a list of things I do and don't want, or am I just stuck with the whims of the people in the room? For example, as I raised on the other thread, I feel like being strapped down is going to freak me out and give me nightmares, and I solemnly promise not to grope at the divider or rip out my IV. Can I request not to be and expect them to abide by it? Can I request that they do most of the baby testing in my line of sight so that DH can stay with me while I'm stitched up?

My OB implied that a consult with the hospital people wasn't likely to be worth much since I'm stuck with who I'm stuck with on the day, which made it sound very inflexible. I'll be at Sibley if that makes a difference.

If it makes you feel better, I had a c/s at Sibley and was never strapped down. I did not know this even a thing until reading it on here 2 years later! Baby never left the OR and was handed to my husband and then me after I was stitched up - I could always see him. He came out crying, they showed him to me, and took him to a small exam table within 10 ft of me. The nurses and doctors were telling me exactly what he was doing the whole time ("He peed!" They cried seconds after they pulled him out and I started balling). I was wheeled out of the OR holding him. He was on my breast not long after delivery. Although not exactly a lovely, blissful experience, my C/S was not horrible - uncomfortable during and after, but did not really interfere with my mothering abilities any more than my friends with significant tearing from vaginal births experienced. DH never left my side (except when they do the epidural and spinal before the procedure), was holding my hand the entire time.

Same here at Sibley, both 6+years ago and 4+ years ago. Baby was in the room with me the whole time. I'm sure if there had been concerns that she had a problem of some kind, she would have been whisked away, but she was in the OR with me being checked out by neonatologist, then in DH's arms right next to me while I was being stitched up, then in my arms as we were wheeled into recovery. She wasn't taken away for testing until much later in the day.
I know it might sound good to have a free arm to hold the baby while they're stitching you up, but I found that being stitched up was pretty freaking distracting. I wasn't comfortable holding the baby during that. Sort of felt like I wasn't competent to. Besides, she was literally an inch from my face while DH held her.
And the doctors did tell me as soon as she was delivered and everything that was going on with her. And of course I could see her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes you can have a cesarean birth plan
Doulas also support cesareans
Don't listen to anyone who mocks you. Just because it's a surgical birth doesn't mean you should stop advocating for yourself or your baby.
"Birth plans" are often partially baby related requests: skin to skin, exclusively breastfed, delayed procedures, Hep B vaccine yes/no/delay, etc. The cesarean way of delivery doesn't suddenly mean you shouldn't/can't have a birth plan (or "birth preferences" list)

Sure you can have one, but most of what you're mentioning is standard now anyway. I didn't have a birth plan either time, and it turned out that the skin to skin, breastfed, delayed procedures were all part of the usual plan anyway. Don't recall Hep B vaccine or not, but I would have gone with what they recommended on that anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there such a thing as a C-section birth plan? In other words, if I do require a section, can I have a list of things I do and don't want, or am I just stuck with the whims of the people in the room? For example, as I raised on the other thread, I feel like being strapped down is going to freak me out and give me nightmares, and I solemnly promise not to grope at the divider or rip out my IV. Can I request not to be and expect them to abide by it? Can I request that they do most of the baby testing in my line of sight so that DH can stay with me while I'm stitched up?

My OB implied that a consult with the hospital people wasn't likely to be worth much since I'm stuck with who I'm stuck with on the day, which made it sound very inflexible. I'll be at Sibley if that makes a difference.

Do you think anyone ever goes in thinking "I am going to rip out these IVs from my arm in 3...2...1...!"?

No, but I think some people have enough self-awareness to know how they would respond in an emergency. My fight or flight reflex from being restrained would be much greater than the risk of me ripping out an IV given how much I hate having them put in. I can't be the only one given that this isn't even standard practice in the U.K. (considered inhumane) and a significant number of U.S. hospitals.

You don't know until you're there, no matter how you try to rationalize. You may pass out from pain, or you may turn in a way that will interfere with the IV. If you're planning to lay still anyway since you're so in control, what difference does it make if your arms are fixed or not?

Stop being obtuse. The prior post made clear that being strapped down is what makes me feel out of control and trapped. Just being told not to move my arms, I can do. Your turn to answer questions - what makes it so 100% necessary that all C-section patients be strapped down? If it is necessary, why don't women in the UK die at massively higher rates since they aren't strapped down and why do all of the uber-liability-conscious hospitals in the U.S. not mandate it?

Who said it was 100% necessary? I had 2 C-sections in the U.S. in the last 8 years and wasn't strapped down either time. And I never made any requests about it. It never came up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My arms were not strapped down for My c section at georgetown; they were placed in a holder thing but if I needed to scratch my nose or Something I could. I personally would not ask to play my own music- I wasn't the one doing the work- the OB was and I wouldn't want her performing major abdominal surgery to music she hated or to music at all if she preferred silence durin surgeries. FWIW I am an OR nurse and each dr has specific music requests or requests silence.

That was my view also. If it had been a normal labor, I would have played music. But I figured with surgery, I want the doctors to focus and communicate as perfectly as possible. I wasn't going to risk distracting them unnecessarily.