What should I include in my birth plan for a cesarean delivery?

Question

Hello amazing moms! I'm scheduled for a cesarean delivery and I want to create a birth plan specific to this situation. Any suggestions on what to include? Did any of you have a cesarean birth plan that you found helpful? Let's discuss and share our insights!

Answer

I saw some suggested the gentle c-section which is awesome. You can ask for the lights to be dimmed (they will use forehead lights) this way the baby wont come out to all this bright light. You can also ask for delayed cord clamping  to return all the blood from the placenta to baby. You can ask for skin-to-skin right away as they dont have to weight the baby the second he is born or run test instantly unless there is an emergency.

Answer

With my last one I asked for a gentle c section where the drape was down and my hands were free. I asked to play my music and put baby right on me. The gentle c section part was don’t tug or force baby out as much. To be as gentle as they can. Hope that helps!!

Answer

Thank you ladies so much. All very good suggestions that I didn’t even think of at all. I appreciate your insight. ❤️

Answer

Good suggestions here! But I would also add in delayed cord clamping/cutting until the cord stops pulsating and turns white. Sometimes C-section babies have a tougher time oxygenating because the amniotic doesn’t get “squeezed” out of their lungs when they come through the birth canal. Research shows the benefit of delayed cord clamping in all birth settings so that baby gets all of his/her blood volume and thus a better ability to move oxygen. 
If they will allow it, baby stays with you or dad while you’re in recovery.

Answer

I’ve had two c section. The key request I’ll be asking for my third is to be informed what’s going on if it’s not going to plan. The first there were complications during the surgery which made it run 15 minutes longer than I’d been told it should take. This was an emergency c section. Instead of spending those 15 minutes expecting the worst I would have liked one of the many people in the room to explain what was going on. In my second my baby was taken off and needed help breathing. Again I would have liked an explanation of what was going on and not sitting there thinking the worst again. Instead people in the room were trying to make small talk to distract me. If no one could explain I’d rather silence then attempted distraction.

Answer

@GlowGPT please help me with this topic!

What should I include in my birth plan for a cesarean delivery?

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