Are you planning a cesarean birth, but unsure what to expect, or if it will be a satisfying, memorable experience? You can trust your doctor to take care of everything and hope for the best, or you can take steps to help ensure a good cesarean birth.
1. Know what you want. Read about cesareans, talk to moms who have had them, and write down your preferences.
2. Keeping your list of preferences in mind, interview doctors from different hospitals in your area until you find one who is experienced, has low rates of cesarean complications, supports your wishes wholeheartedly, and who gives you good vibes (they are important!).
3. Hire a birth doula. That is, one who has experience attending cesareans. This will be especially helpful if you can get permission to bring her with you into the O.R., but even if you can’t, a doula can support you prenatally in finding information and resources, give you emotional support before, during, and after birth, offer assistance with communicating yourself to the staff, take pictures or video, stay with the baby until you can be kept together (if you are separated) after birth, and assist with initial breastfeeding. They are known for increasing both mothers’ and fathers’ satisfaction of the birth experience.
4. Hire a postpartum doula. Or at least a female relative who can offer true help postpartum – dishes, laundry, childcare, meals, arrends… things you should not be doing much of, if any, soon after birth if you want to avoid unnecessary pain and risk of post-surgery complications.
5. Unless medically necessary, avoid scheduling your cesarean prior to 39 weeks to avoid prematurity. Babies like to be born on their own timeline, and many like to wait until after their due date, to help with the last bit of lung development they need. Giving them until at least 39 weeks makes their transition to life outside the womb so much easier, and reduces their risk of long term breathing problems like asthma.
6. Consider waiting until contractions begin in earnest before going to the hospital for your scheduled cesarean. Benefits of this option include nearly eliminating the risk of prematurity, a potentially lower risk of surgical hemorrhage, and an increased chance for successful breastfeeding.
7. Pack something in your bag to keep you busy. You will be asked to come in a while before the surgery is planned to ensure time to set up the O.R., get you prepped, and fill out all the paperwork. Sometimes though, an unplanned cesarean for a woman already in labor can bump back the time of a planned cesarean; another consideration you should be mentally prepared for. There can be a lot of waiting and anticipation involved!
8. Get rest before going to the hospital. This will probably be the hardest to do, because you’ll be full of mixed emotions that make sleep hard to reach – preparing to meet your new baby, and facing normal worries about the experience – but it is important to get rest so your recovery, and your initial bonding experience with baby will be more satisfying.
9. Plan to have your baby stay with you after birth. Because you are planning the cesarean you are more likely to get support from your care providers to do this. You may even be able to hold your baby skin-to-skin before you leave the O.R.! This contact with your baby will speed recovery for both you and your baby, create a more peaceful transition for both of you, and may make initial breastfeeding less of an anxious experience.
10. Know ahead of time what to expect from recovery. That way you can get prompt medical attention should anything veer from normal, and you will have a clear understanding of how to care for your body during the postpartum weeks and months.
If you have had a cesarean birth, feel free to share your thoughts! Can you think of additional steps a woman can take to have a good cesarean birth?
At 42 weeks, Dialated at one, I checked in to the hospital with some contractions nothing to painful, I just wanted to get things going because of how big and uncomfortable we both were. After breaking my water, giving me and inducing drug, and eighteen hour, I could only dilate to a six. My Dr. told me baby is too big we are going in for a csection. My daughter was over ten pounds! I was able to nurse her right away after a two hour recovery. Two years later I was pregnant and had a miscarriage at 13 weeks. I Had to have a D&C. Now I’m pregnant again A year and a half later and I’m wondering if I should have a Csection or try Vbac. They both have risks…
Thank you for sharing Chris. You are right, both carry risks, although if you and baby are both healthy, the risks are generally lower with VBAC. I would recommend using the search terms VBAC and repeat cesarean in the search box on this page to read other posts I have written, with resources, to help you make this personal choice. If you have a particular question, feel free to ask!