Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I came across this article on Yahoo Parenting regarding "Gentle C-Sections". I was like what the heck are those??

When reading about how a hospital in Boston is "pioneering" this "new" method of a more improved CS I had to chuckle because EXACTLY what they are describing as this "new" and innovative method of having a cesarean is exactly how my CS went down. Like, specifically. So, I'm curious as to what the ladies who have had CS think about it and if I'm alone in my "gentle" experience. I delivered in 2013, at St. Catherine's, just so you know.

Am I alone??

I always tell people how much I loved my CS experience and that it was great for me and my son, as well. Now I'm thinking maybe this is why I enjoyed it?? Because of how St. Cats did it? I am a FTM so to me, the way I had it done was the norm -- so I thought.

Gentle C-Sections

Text:

When Stephanie Branly of Atlanta, Georgia had her first emergency C-section three years ago, there was nothing warm and fuzzy about it. She was under general anesthesia (which is commonly used during emergency cesareans). She didn’t remember parts of the birth. She didn’t get to hold her son right away. And her recovery was long and painful.

She was grateful, of course, that her son was born healthy but when it came time to have her second birth last year, her hospital offered something new: A more “baby friendly” C-section. That meant her husband was with their daughter as soon as she was born, doctors didn’t whisk the baby away for a bath, and Branly got to hold her newborn cheek-to-cheek. Branly’s healing process also went much more smoothly.

The “gentle C-section,” as it’s called at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston where the procedure is being pioneered, affords women undergoing C-sections some of the experiences common to vaginal births – immediate skin-to-skin contact and no arm straps. The monitors women normally wear during C-sections are also moved so babies can be placed on the mother’s chest just after birth, which offers a better start to breastfeeding and bonding. And in some hospitals, the curtain dividing mother and baby is clear or even lowered so mom can watch her child emerge.

"We already have good evidence that C-sections can lead to more postpartum depression, decreased breastfeeding outcomes and bonding issues," Caitlyn LeGros, a certified nurse midwife at the University of Rochester Medical Center, tells Yahoo Parenting. “‘Gentle Cesareans’ seem like a simple option to fix some of these issues.”

Known as the “Family Centered Caesarean” in England, the procedure is becoming much more common in the U.S., Dr. Janis Fee, a board certified OB/GYN at St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group in Southern California, tells Yahoo Parenting.

Over her 22 years of practice, Fee says she’s watched the C-section evolve from major surgery — that excluded even the father from being in the room — to something far more family friendly. And best of all, moms feel like they’re in control of their delivery, a feeling that typically lacks during standard C-sections.

“After my second C-section, I was up walking around within the next day,” says Branly. And while she’s not exactly sure why, the truth is, it doesn’t matter. It was just better. “For major surgery,” she says, “it was actually a pleasant experience.”

Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I wish NSUH Manhasset had that!

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I had my ds1 July 2013. I had a failed induction which ended with a csection. I just wasnt progressing so not a true emergency. It was pretty relaxed. My dh got to hold my ds right away next to me. I didnt breastfeed or anything while on the table but my one arm was numb so I would not have been able to hold him anyway. My dh stayed with ds and I met them in recovery. I was up the next day not even 12 hours after surgery. Of course if was surgery but I was not the worst thing plus I got ds out of it

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I think my c-section experience was pretty good. DH got to hold the baby for a while, so did I. He was with me in recovery for skin to skin and for me to attempt breastfeeding before being taken to the nursery. The only thing that was different was the curtain was not lowered or clear (wouldn't have wanted that anyway). The nurses and doctors were so great, friendly, cracked jokes, and even took our camera and snapped tons of pictures for us.

I was at South Nassau.

Correction: He was taken to the nursery while I was being closed up, but was in the recovery room the whole time I was there.

Message edited 3/11/2015 3:06:35 PM.

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

um.. NO thank you.
I would NOT want to see my bits and parts all out. And at one point they yanked so hard they lifted me off the table and moved me over enough they had to reposition me. So no thank you.

I don't recall being strapped down
I held her post clean up
skin to skin wasn't the rage back then but sure it could have happened I guess if I had asked. Do I think it would helped bonding? I don't know, how can I know. I had no real emotional extra love for her at that moment (which is TOTALLY FREAKING NORMAL)

I don't think I lost anything by not BF immediately or skin to skin. She was early and I was utterly exhausted. All I wanted was sleep. Take the kid away from me and let me sleep.

I think if someone WANTS all that other stuff... well good for them

I wanted NONE OF IT! Not a single freaking bit of it. I am not ashamed at all to say I'd rather I just went to sleep and woke up with the kid. THAT is gentle! I see no magical beauty in child birth at all. I was beyond thrilled she was breech at all times. I couldn't say so on the pregnancy boards because it's so taboo to say.. I WANT A C/S.

My only regret is she came early and I didn't get to just chill and have a kid. No I had 9hour of excruciating pain and suffering that I wouldn't wish on any other living soul.

What I loved was the pain killer kicking in and my stress level dropping. A chance to look at my hubby and say "Ok are we ready because if not, too bad" and just sorta wait in anticipation for "HERE SHE IS" haha she was all waving arms and black-black hair. First thought "same colored eyes" but after that it was just cool that she was there. Great thanks.. can I sleep now? LOL

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

Article on Gentle C-Sections:

See, I have a lot to say on the subject. My DS was born after a 68 hour labor with 2 failed inductions. Since I had used a midwife, my plan was "to go as long as I could then see what happens." I even let them do a manual version to try to get DS out after I stalled after 4 hours of pushing. While a C was always in the back of my mind, having to go through ALL of that and THEN end up with a C was very difficult.

My experience was terrible - not because of the doctors or hospital, but because I felt like *I* made it that way. If I had stopped pushing sooner, if I hadn't let them turn him, if I hadn't tried so hard, maybe it wouldn't have been so bad. His safety was absolutely the most important thing at that moment - but looking back, I really regret a lot and blame myself. I didn't respond to the anesthesia at first, I had a massive panic attack, I kept thinking I was going to die. It was so bad. And I barely got to see DS - they had to whisk him off to the NICU because I had a fever. No skin to skin, no seeing DH cut the cord, no happiness in that split second - just total fear and then loneliness.

It's an experience that has really scarred me and made me afraid to have another baby. But, I think more hospitals should encourage gentle C sections as an option because the whole C section experience CAN be cold, clinical and terrifying. And that's no way for a new mom to feel. A lot of women are made to feel "less than" because they ended up with a C, especially after trying for a vaginal labor. Other's don't, and that's fine, but not everyone has a good C experience. The hospitals would do a far greater good for mothers if they had a gentle C experience that still allowed them to bond with their baby via skin to skin, calming music, etc.

Message edited 3/11/2015 3:22:39 PM.

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

This part:

And in some hospitals, the curtain dividing mother and baby is clear or even lowered so mom can watch her child emerge.

OMG no way.
Who would want to see their abdomen cut wide open? Their organs all over the place?

I don't think that's gentle! That is traumatic!




I had a V birth and I didn't even want to see her "emerge". My DH accidently saw some stuff he can never unsee down there!

Message edited 3/11/2015 3:35:37 PM.

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I think this is basically what Stony Brook does.

You are never away from the baby from the second they are born.

No arm straps, although you can't hold the baby by yourself for obvious reasons (the meds were making me shiver and I probably would have dropped the baby).

I had skin to skin contact and was bf'ing within minutes of being stitched up. DH was holding both our children the whole time prior to that.

BTW I had no desire to see the baby being pulled from my body, nor did DH. I was so grateful for that curtain. That would not have made me feel any more connected to the birth IMO.

Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I think I had a very similar version of this at Winthrop. Except I wasn't allowed to hold him until I was in recovery.

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

Posted by NervousNell

This part:

And in some hospitals, the curtain dividing mother and baby is clear or even lowered so mom can watch her child emerge.

OMG no way.
Who would want to see their abdomen cut wide open? Their organs all over the place?

I don't think that's gentle! That is traumatic!




I had a V birth and I didn't even want to see her "emerge". My DH accidently saw some stuff he can never unsee down there!

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

The article was clearly not written by a medical person.

Most C-sections are not done under general anesthesia.

Most planned C-S are this way (plus or minus how long mom gets to hold baby & that is a medical issue individual to baby & mom).

Most parents do not want to see delivery. They pass out (both mothers & fathers). Pulling the curtain up & down means your medical staff is not taking care of you at that point (they are messing with the curtain tape or clips).

Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I had a planned csection at st Charles in 2012, and it was similar. Dh was in the OR, I was awake. I forget if my arms were strapped down, I think they were but it didn't bother me. Dh got to hold dd as soon almost imediatately and then after they wrapped her in a blanket they put her on me to try to breast feed. I would not have wanted to have the curtain down during the surgery. That would have freaked me out. The dr. Told dh to take a peak when he was pulling dd out and dh said it wasn't pretty. I would have maybe liked to have a picture to see after the fact, but they didn't allow cameras/video cameras during the surgery.

Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I had a great c section experience! Although i do think a scheduled section makes a huge difference. I also read the artical and thought- am I the minority? I held my daughter as soon as I was out of the OR, so maybe 30 minutes after delivery. I'd do it again

Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I wouldn't want to see myself cut open lol.
They did hold the baby right up over the curtain so I could see him. I didn't hold him immediately, but as soon as I got yo recovery I did. DH. Held him soon as they cleaned him off. I didn't do skin to skin. I was much too woozy to even hold him almost..

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

Article on Gentle C-Sections:

When I had DS in 2011, I didn't "see" him for what seemed like forever and I didn't get to hold him until I was in recovery. From there I didn't see him until he brought into my room 2 hours later. It's all very different now. From my understanding Stony Brook does this now. I'll find out in 2 months.

My cousin delivered at Wintrhop last year and this is exactly how they performed her C-Section.

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I'm confused about the arm straps? When I had my twins via c-section the epidural did not work. I kept screaming in pain. They finally had to knock me out totally. DH said that I kept moving my arms and was hitting the curtain so they had to tie my arms down. I think my poor DH was traumatized. I don't remember them being born obviously. If he hadn't told me I was strapped down I wouldn't have even known. Is that what they mean?

For my 3rd I had a great c-section experience. Held him right away, lots of skin to skin. While I was in recovery they were cleaning him up. As soon as I got to my room, they brought him to me and I breastfed right away.

I delivered at NSUH-Manhasset. No complaints.

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

Posted by NervousNell

This part:

And in some hospitals, the curtain dividing mother and baby is clear or even lowered so mom can watch her child emerge.

OMG no way.
Who would want to see their abdomen cut wide open? Their organs all over the place?

I don't think that's gentle! That is traumatic!




I had a V birth and I didn't even want to see her "emerge". My DH accidently saw some stuff he can never unsee down there!

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

I was at NSUH manhasset. Baby was put on my chest right after birth, and DH got to bond with her for about 20 minuts while they finished with me. I don't really remember any wire or hookups getting in my way.

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

Posted by drpepper318

Posted by NervousNell

This part:

And in some hospitals, the curtain dividing mother and baby is clear or even lowered so mom can watch her child emerge.

OMG no way.
Who would want to see their abdomen cut wide open? Their organs all over the place?

I don't think that's gentle! That is traumatic!




I had a V birth and I didn't even want to see her "emerge". My DH accidently saw some stuff he can never unsee down there!

I agree!! I had a V birth too & I remember the dr wanted me to touch the baby's head as he was coming out & I was like NO THANKS! And did I want them to hold a mirror down there so I could see him be born? Again, NO THANKS! I already thought I was going to throw up from the sensation of contractions & pushing, this would have definitely made me sick!

Message edited 3/11/2015 10:00:40 PM.

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections:

Posted by NervousNell

This part:

And in some hospitals, the curtain dividing mother and baby is clear or even lowered so mom can watch her child emerge.

OMG no way.
Who would want to see their abdomen cut wide open? Their organs all over the place?

I don't think that's gentle! That is traumatic!




I had a V birth and I didn't even want to see her "emerge". My DH accidently saw some stuff he can never unsee down there!

Re: Article on Gentle C-Sections: