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?

Are you trying to rationalize that they tied down your arms? Many of us on many threads have said we promised not to flail and didn't have to have our arms tied down. I even had a huge panic attack and kept my promise, so I do know, because I was there.

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?

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?

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.

I had a planned c section and had one armed (the one with all the iv's etc strapped down and my husband held my other.

I am glad that I did because I started shaking so fiercely after the baby was removed (apparently this is normal) that I probably would have pulled lines out. Apparently that is why they do it.

baby never left my sight. Ever. The pediatrician cleaned him up, weighed him, etc. right there while they reassembled me. I got to hold him quickly, etc.

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...!"?

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.

Anonymous wrote:Oh boy. This is a significant surgery ans they have procedures in place for your protection. So no. I wouldn't go into an OR expecting to make birth plan requests.

Um, no. I was a homebirth transfer, ended up with a c-section, and my wishes were still catered to. (Immediate skin to skin and nursing in the OR, DH and midwife allowed in the entire time, no eye goop, no hep B, and delay of any tests until breastfeeding was established). Staff will accommodate your requests if they can.

-Ask about preventing getting cold. They have warmed blankets and/or this inflated warming thing.
-they only allow 1 person in OR besides you, I asked if my mom could swap with my husband when he followed the baby into another area. This was an accommodation but they made it, and I am SO thankful that I did not have to be alone during a somewhat traumatic stitch-up.
-ask about the skin to skin stuff etc. even though they might say no
-ask if you can keep your glasses on
-ask if you can have music on headphones or your own music on a CD player, etc.
-make clear your intention to breastfeed and wanting to get the baby to you as soon as possible
-ask about not strapping your arms down or finding some gentler form of restraint

Don't waste time writing stuff up that you already know they won't accept, keep it concise and respectfully worded, and think of it as something to remind you of what to ask the nurse / anesthesiologist verbally since they probably won't read it. I was glad I made one though.

Yes you can ask they not strap you down. Especially if you say that will give you anxiety. Just make sure you hold up your end of the bargain and not move your arms.

You can ask for skin-to-skin contact and for your spouse to stay, but also be prepared for them to say no. I mean, what are you going to do? Refuse and go somewhere else? With all surgeries, this is not in your control.

My husband was given the choice to stay with me or go with the baby. He chose the baby. I would've done the same in his shoes.

When I learned a couple months ago that a c-section was likely, I googled around and learned that there are plenty of articles about and templates for c-section birth plans. Look for pages about "gentle c-section" or "family-centered c-section."

In the end, I wound up having my c-section sooner than expected and without much notice. So I never made that birth plan. Still, I was hugely relieved to find that it wasn't a bad experience at all. What helped was that my midwife was there to hold my hand and talk me through it. My husband too, but he wasn't allowed in for the surgery prep. The midwife also helped me nurse immediately afterwards.

Baby was given to me minutes after birth, though I might have liked to see him sooner and be explicitly told once he was out. Arms were not tied down, but I found it helpful to have something to grip in the hand my husband wasn't holding (otherwise, I felt kind of floppy if that makes sense). It all went so fast, so not enough goes on to wish anything were different.

I guess my point is, that, the best thing you can have going for you is support during the operation. It also helps to know what to expect going in (I should have paid more attention). Specifically the "what happens when" aspect. Don't think too hard about the surgery part.

You'll be fine! Congrats on your upcoming new arrival!

Anonymous wrote:I expressed my wishes to my OB and she didn't have an issue. When I delivered #2 at VHC, they did allow for one arm to be free so I could hold the baby. They also now leave the baby in the OR until you leave for recovery and even then, the baby came with me where I was breastfeeding her immediately. They didn't give the baby a bath until I requested it and all testing on the baby was done in the room with me. 7 years ago when I had my first they did not do things that way. I was allowed one free arm to hold the baby but after that she was taken away for testing, bath etc but my husband was allowed to go with her. I didn't get to see her in recovery. I was taken to my room about 30 minutes later where I finally was able to see her and my husband.

PP here just wanted to add that all three of my c-sections have been planned.

I expressed my wishes to my OB and she didn't have an issue. When I delivered #2 at VHC, they did allow for one arm to be free so I could hold the baby. They also now leave the baby in the OR until you leave for recovery and even then, the baby came with me where I was breastfeeding her immediately. They didn't give the baby a bath until I requested it and all testing on the baby was done in the room with me. 7 years ago when I had my first they did not do things that way. I was allowed one free arm to hold the baby but after that she was taken away for testing, bath etc but my husband was allowed to go with her. I didn't get to see her in recovery. I was taken to my room about 30 minutes later where I finally was able to see her and my husband.

I had a scheduled cesarean at Gw. My doctor explained that as long as the baby was ok and I was ok we could do skin to skin. I have attended a few births and am not squeamish. When my daughter was born, she was delivered to a waiting nicu nurse near my head. The anesthesia doctor and nurse helped out the baby on my chest right away. My baby was pink and screaming! Dr. Sheth asked that the nicu doctor peak at the baby and do Apgars while she was on me. My husband took her and learned to swaddle her while I was moved to the bed. It was a great delivery.

Anonymous wrote:Having had a csection once before and having one planned in about a month, I am planning to ask my OB about any skin to skin or just being able to touch the baby in the OR and anything we can do so I am less out of it than last time (being up all night in labor and having a fever had something to do with my mental state, I am sure, but I still plan to discuss it).

Honestly, possibly the best thing I might do is get a massage the day before, but we will see if that works out!

Same here. Not much you can plan for with an emergency c. It all happens very fast. For my planned c I will definitely ask about skin to skin