Gentle Caesaren Section
What we know:
Around 1 in 4 women in the UK has a caesarean birth and this may be planned or unplanned. It is a major surgical procedure and you should always speak to your midwife or obstetrician if you have any questions or concerns about having one. A gentle c-section, or ‘natural’ c-section as it is sometimes called, is very similar to a normal c-section except that it can be made more personal for you and your partner. Some women report feeling powerless or disconnected during their traditional c-section. A gentle c-section allows you to be more in control and have some say over the birth of your baby and the immediate minutes after.
Not all hospitals offer a gentle c-section but always ask because they are becoming more common.
What happens in a traditional c-section?
Every hospital and hospital team will have different ways of performing c-sections so it is important you speak to your midwife about their processes before you have your baby.
In most cases you will be given a spinal or epidural before being laid on an operating table. A screen will be raised over your chest so you can’t see the surgical incision being made. Obviously, everyone is different and for some people this will be a relief but some mothers and their birthing partners want to see the moment their baby is born. If this is the case, you can ask them to lower the screen.
In a traditional c-section you may not be given your baby straight away for skin-to-skin contact because they will want to carry out the required paediatric checks while you are stitched up. You may not be able to hold your baby or start feeding until you are in the recovery room which could be up to half an hour later.
What happens in a gentle c-section?
There is no reason why a birth in an operating theatre can’t be as personal for you as a vaginal birth in a midwife-led unit or labour ward and this is the aim of a gentle c-section.
Hospitals which offer this kind of birth might encourage you to bring your own music and will let you dim the lights - as long as the team can still see what they’re doing!
They might let you raise the bed so you can see the procedure and will lower the screen, use a clear screen or even remove it all together if that’s what you wish. Your baby will be delivered more slowly and they may leave the head and shoulders out for a minute or two to allow your uterus to contract and push the fluid out of their lungs as would happen in a vaginal delivery.
You will be able to have immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby on your chest while they finish the procedure. You can ask for your IV to be put in your non-dominant hand so you can hold your baby without it being in the way. They can also put the EKG leads on your back or lower on your chest. You may be able to immediately start breastfeeding your baby at this time. A midwife will be by your side you help you.
A gentle c-section may take a little longer than a traditional one but only a matter of 3 or 4 minutes.
Even during an unplanned c-section there may be time for you to state your preferences for what happens after the birth, providing your baby does not need any special care.
But what if I’m really squeamish about seeing the incision?
For many women the fear of seeing the incision and inside their own abdomen may put them off asking for a screen to be lowered during a c-section. However, your bump and the baby’s head will initially block the hole and then when baby has been delivered the screen will be put back up. It comes down to your personal choice though.
Why choose a gentle c-section?
• You will feel more connected with the birth of your baby
• You and your partner will feel like active participants in the birth
• You will be able to bond with your baby straight away
• You can incorporate some of the more natural aspects of a birth that are important to you
• Immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby is really beneficial for their health and your bond
• You may feel more positive about your birth experience.
Final thoughts:
Find out from your antenatal team what their set-up is and if they offer gentle c-sections, tell them how you envision yours to be. Even if your hospital doesn’t offer them, they may be happy to accommodate your requests as much as possible. There is no reason why a caesarean can’t be the same positive, bonding experience as a vaginal birth.
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