Options for a Gentler Cesarean

If you read my first birth story, you know how much I dreamed of a natural birth with my first child. But when that option was taken off the table, our very kind and capable birth instructor helped us write a cesarean birth plan. I’m so grateful to her for that!

When a woman has been hoping for a natural vaginal birth suddenly faces a cesarean birth, she may have feelings of disappointment, grief, frustration, and anger. It may feel as if she has no options whatsoever. I’m here to tell ya that’s just not true.

If you’re faced with a cesarean, there are certain requests you can make of your OB and birth team to help you have a birth closer to what you may have originally been dreaming of.

Here are some ideas for you to consider. As always, discuss these options with your husband and with your practitioner!

1️⃣ father in the birth room at all times
2️⃣ epidural or spinal without morphine
3️⃣ freedom of movement/no restraints
4️⃣ clear curtain
5️⃣ delayed cord clamping
6️⃣ immediate skin-to-skin
7️⃣ vaginal seeding
8️⃣ double-stitch all incision sites
9️⃣ delay all newborn procedures

🔟 full rooming-in

I’ve included these options in my template for a cesarean birth plan, by the way! Click here to download and edit to your preferences.

In more detail:

1️⃣ father in the birth room at all times- Some hospitals have a policy of asking fathers to step out of the room during the administration of the epidural or spinal. This can be traumatic for some women, as having her husband (or in the absence of a father, another trusted friend or doula) with mom in the delivery room is exceedingly comforting.

2️⃣ epidural or spinal without morphine- Morphine has many side effects, some of which have been shown to interfere with the bonding and breastfeeding relationship between a newborn and mother. Some women choose other methods of post-birth pain relief. If you choose this option, you may have more discomfort at the incision site (after the epidural wears off) in the first couple days after recovery, but you will avoid the fogginess of mind and the risk of itching and other side effects of morphine.

3️⃣ freedom of movement/no restraints- During a traditional cesarean, women’s hands may be tied down to prevent voluntary or involuntary movements during surgery. This is not strictly necessary, and many doctors will allow you to have one or both hands free during delivery. This can help ease the trauma of surgery and allow you to hold, stroke, and comfort tour baby immediately after birth.

4️⃣ clear curtain- Usually a blue drape is placed over mother’s chest, which prevents mother from witnessing her baby’s birth. Some women find this traumatic and it makes bonding difficult for them. Ask for a clear drape instead, if you aren’t squeamish and wish to see your baby be born.

5️⃣ delayed cord clamping- Unless there is a risk to mother or baby, there’s no reason a baby born via cesarean cannot receive all of its own blood from the umbilical cord in the same way as a baby born vaginally!

6️⃣ immediate skin-to-skin- Many women are able to hold their baby immediately following birth. This is done much in the same way as it is done in a vaginal delivery.

7️⃣ vaginal seeding- when a baby is born vaginally, he or she gets the benefit of the good bacteria of his or her mother’s vaginal canal. This helps build a healthy microbiome. Vaginal seeding is when the doctor swabs the vaginal canal of the mother and applies the swabs to the newborn’s eyes, nose, mouth, skin, etc to replicate the process of a vaginal birth.

8️⃣ double-stitch all incision sites- The double-stitching improves a mother’s chance for a VBAC with subsequent births.

9️⃣ delay all newborn procedures- Bonding is equally as important for cesareans as vaginal births. Inform your care team that you would like to have a golden hour (or more!) of uninterrupted time with baby

🔟 full rooming-in- Unless your baby has a medical need, there’s no reason to send him or her to the nursery. Keep baby with you to better bond and breastfeed!

If you’re faced with a cesarean birth, I hope some of these options will make the experience gentler and more empowering!