Research-backed
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Motherhood is a beautiful blessing, and your labour period is the first major milestone in the process of your becoming a mother.
Every woman wishes that she has a natural delivery without any complications, but that might not happen in some cases.
One such case belongs to Abby Deliz, who is trying to channelize her energies and efforts into becoming a childbirth educator, after recuperating from the trauma and long-term side effects of going through three C-section deliveries. She has a fund-raising site that aims to enable her to reach out to more women involved in C-section births and guide them towards better experiences.
Potential Risks & Complications Of Caesarean Deliveries
There are several potential complications of a C-sec delivery (v):
- Infections.
- Limitation regarding movements and lifting weights.
- Intense post-partum anxiety or depression.
- Possible injury to other organs.
- Severe blood loss.
- Severe headache, nausea and vomiting post-delivery (due to anaesthesia).
- Blood clots in the lungs or legs.
- Constipation or other bowel-related issues.
Gentle Caesarean: A New Approach
Caesarean deliveries being a traumatic affair could soon be a thing of the past. If the case is non-urgent, the delivery can be planned like a normal birth. Unlike traditional C-section techniques, the process of gentle C-sec birthing is comparatively simpler, and the moms can also witness their babies being born. The babies are not taken away immediately, instead they are put to their mummy’s chest, just like it is done after a vaginal birth. The skin-to-skin contact actually helps stimulate the breastfeeding bond (2).
Planning, adding or omitting things can be considered an added benefit of a gentle C-sec, making the birthing process and atmosphere as close to what you had imagined.
Gentle Caesarean: Some Important Factors
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In case you have been told by your doctor in advance that you are going to have a C-section, you could go for gentle caesarean. However, do keep in mind the following pointers to make the most of your birthing experience:
- Request the doctor for epidural rather than general anaesthesia, so that you are aware of the progress.
- Don’t take additional drugs for relaxation. It can hamper your mental alertness.
- In case you are unconscious, the daddy can hold the baby close to him for that first skin-to-skin contact.
- Request all monitoring devices to be positioned in a way that it doesn’t obstruct your view. Additionally, ask for a clear drape so that you can witness your baby’s birth.
- You can opt for soothing music of your choice to keep the atmosphere calm and relaxed.
- If all goes well, you can try latching your baby immediately. You can also make a request to not cut the umbilical cord till it’s pulsating.
- You can delay cleaning and weighing of the baby till you and other close family members have the ‘first look’ of the baby, and there has been a satisfying period of that initial bonding between you and your baby.
Tips For Carrying Out A Gentle Caesarean
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If you wish to go for gentle caesarean, here are some useful tips:
- Even if you have chances of a natural birth, do keep the option of a gentle caesarean as part of your birth plan, in case the need arises. Provide a copy of the birth plan to all the concerned medical and birthing staff so that they are in the loop (3).
- Make sure that your doctor and birthing staff know about gentle caesareans and the procedures related to it. Additionally, you can have a person with you who can voice your rights regarding your labour and birthing situation.
- Be aware of the hospital policies and regulations to avoid any disappointments.
- Voice your support for gentle caesarean, which happen to be a more humane and considerate surgical procedure, causing less trauma to the mother and the baby.
A gentle caesarean, which is an effective yet lenient alternative to the traditional C-sec, can be a great step to ease the stress you might face due to the traditional surgical process. Hence, if you have the time to plan your C-section and wish to opt for a gentle caesarean, do not hesitate the discuss the same with your doctor.
