Experiences of a C-section at UCSF

Hi,
Although I know that bonding with the baby is super important, I'm thinking that before worrying about what they'll do with the baby after your C-section, you should try to do everything you can to prevent having the C-section in the first place! My baby hadn't yet turned by 37 weeks either, but my midwife at that point wasn't worried about it yet. I was concerned, though, so I read up and started to try the things that sounded like they might help. First and foremost, gravity will help your baby turn. So I laid on a home-made "gravity table", created by laying an ironing board between the sofa seat and the floor. I laid head down on my back. I'd also heard (and this sounds weird, but I did it) that the baby would move towards bright light and/or the sound of the father's voice, so I shined our flashlight "down there" as my husband gently urged the baby to turn over.
Lo and behold, early the next morning while sleeping in bed I awoke to the strangest feeling of the baby doing a somersault! That day was my midwife appointment and sure enough, he'd turned!
Just a thought. I think I'd try everything before submitting to either a C-section or external version, as I know that hte version cna be quite painful.
Another tip I remember reading, and would have tried if my baby hadn't turned: get into a swimming pool and gently dive down to the bottom several times. Again, the gravity will work to help your baby turn.

Good luck,
Jennifer.

Hi S., At 37 weeks that baby could still turn. Check out spinningbabies.com I know it is a funny name but I know that a lot of the suggestions work! You might want to try yoga. I teach prenatal yoga in SF at the yoga tree(Wed and Fri). I also recomemd talking to that baby! Have your sweetie (if you have one) talk to that baby too!

It can't hurt and it might make you all feel more connected. Good luck, J.

It is the policy at most hospitals because C-Section babies do not get the benefit of the contractions to help massage all of the fluids out of their lungs - it's for the babies safety....

I would stay at UCSF it is a much better hospital.

I have 5 children - my first daughter was taken from me after birth to be bathed - I didn't get her back after several requests(my husband went home) - for almost 5 hours... She is now 17 - we are still very very close. I successfully breastfed all 5 of my children - the only one who nursed immediately after birth was my 5 month old - I nursed all of them until well over a year.

Try not to stress too much about the details - the most important thing is for your baby to come into the world healthy - enjoy your pregnancy and everymoment you can -

The details of the first few hours are not nearly as important as your love for your child. You will be spending hundreds of thousands of hours together - - -

Best of luck to you and your baby!

Oh, the frustrations of modern hospitals.
Just keep in mind you have the right to refuse anything, especially if it's not medically indicated. Millions of women give birth to babies in your exact situation, and both baby and mother are perfectly healthy. It is simply hospital protocal (it sounds like) or maybe it's your Dr. If that's the case, see if you can switch Doctors.

It may not be a preference of yours, but if that still doesn't work, you could find another hospital that would allow you to go into labor at your own time and at least try to deliver vaginally.

At other hospitals, women who go thru a C-section and breastfeed right after they come out of the operating room, so it is simpy their PREFERENCE to take the baby away. Don't be afraid to speak up!! Unless it's medically indicated, you have the right to demand anything!

I've had two c-sections at alta bates and the first time I was a-sleep and the second time I was awake and the doctor showed me my baby and they did brisk her away but my usband was right there and he followed them every where and then they gave my baby to him and while I was being put back together by the time I finished me and the baby and my husband were all together. I dodn't know about the breast feeding myth but my baby did fine even after she was put in a incubator for warmth first because she was all muscle and she breast fed fine. I would transfer how ever transfer everything to SFG since they don't have the policy, but you might want to ask about procedure after a c-section just in case you have one. Good Luck!!

Hi,
I'm a mother of two successfully homebirthed babies...I started care in my first pregancy at ucsf and after seven months and feeling very "sterile" and shuffled around by traditional gestational care decided to go it alone with a homebirth. I'm not suggesting you do the same, because at 37 weeks, the most important thing for you and baby is not to be stressed. And from the sounds of it, your babies' birthday is threatening to be very stressful...My midwives all recommended I choose S.F. general as my hospital to go to in an emergency, if we ended up in that situation during or before my planned homebirth. They knew alot of the people there and were very confident they would be able to stay with me through my birth if that happened. It's important at this point to follow your intuition. It saddens me when I hear stories of women who were given the fear bug and then told they had to get c-sections. With my second baby, my water broke on my due date, but my son didn't make his appearance until 72 hours later. Yes, we were all concerned but my midwives waited patiently and finally recommended some herbs,
meditation and castor oil. Boom. He was born 8 hours later. My point in telling you this is to just realize the source of the counsel you are getting. Managed healthcare is exactly that "managed" and it must be for financial and liability reasons. If a midwife were providing your care, you would more than likely have that baby turned down (ps. you still have 3 weeks!") by birthday time. I guess in the end I think find more support that guides you to the birth you envision which is the birth we all want right? Baby comes out, you see them, your partner assists or is very present and involved then baby nurses and you get to be alone with just you baby and dad for at least an hour. It's not too late to take control of your experience. An incredible resource in the city is the natural birth institute on 17th st. in the mission. They also have a website naturalbirthinstitute.com--it's not too late to change hospitals and at least get a doula or midwife to help assist your hospital birth and get that baby turned down!! Most importantly, relax and let baby come. Any anxiety you feel will be felt by your little muffin don't forget. Anyways, good luck sister, sorry to ramble but I care!!!

I had a c-section 2 years and a little over nine months ago at UCSF. I saw my baby immediately after they took her out but then, yes, they did take her until I got the feeling back in my legs (due to spinal tap). It didn't seem like two hours at all. Initially she didn't latch on and she lost a few ounces, but once she realized that nursing was the only answer, she latched like a champ and seemed to never let go. I was able to nurse for 12 months. We bonded, and are still close. Maybe too close. I'd love to take a bath by myself or sleep by myself sometime. She is very independent and not clingy, but she loves her looooooooooooooooooves her mommy.

If you have problems with him/her latching on, let him/her sleep or rest on your bare chest,between your cleavage or even up uder the breast so they can learn your scent and claim their territory. Oh yes, be ready! If you choose to nurse, your body will no longer be yours. But it's a wonderful thing. Sometimes I miss it. UCSF is a wonderful place to have a baby. Relax you're in good hands!!

HI S., I've had both babies by c-section..one as an emergency c after many hours of labor and him getting stuck in the canal..and the other scheduled, as I didnt want to risk a VBAC. Neither of my children had issues with breastfeeding..my 2nd took to it a bit better than the first..but I'm sure he and I were both nervous. You need that time to recover..and baby needs the time to get cleaned up..and if necessary warmed to remind them of that womb setting. I'm sure it will all be fine, and UCSF is a great place!

Did your baby turn? Are you at all interested in a vaginal breech birth? There is an OB in Marin who does these. Let me know. K., L&D RN

Hello,

I understand your concerns, but to maybe put your mind at ease I can tell you a bit about my birthing experience. My son was born premature at 33 weeks. His cord was being compressed, so his heart rate was dropping. I had an emergency C-section and was put under general anesthesia, which meant I wasn't even awake, and no time for an epidural. Therefore, I had to be on morphine, which meant I didn't get to see my son for the first 16 hours of his life. Needless to say, it was a distressing situation, but he is a champion breastfeeder. He's now 8 months old, healthy, happy, and still breastfeeding. If breastfeeding is your main concern about having a C section your determination and desire to breastfeed will overcome. Mine did. Good luck!

Hi- While I have no experience w/birthing at UCSF, I have experience w/preemie babies. Our first was born 5 weeks early & was quickly taken to the NICU. Once we knew I was staying to deliver, knew the amount of staff who'd assemble for the delivery & that our son would go to the NICU, my husband said he'd stay w/our son where ever he went. He had the camera so I could see the early pics later. I had our son for quite some time before they took him to the NIC. First of all, unless there's MAJOR issues, you will have some time w/him....they won't just cut the cord & take off w/him. As I'm sure you're aware, the reason they're taking him to the nursery is to be sure he's OK & all his bits & pieces are in working order. So, think about what's important here, would you rather have him attempt to nurse or would you rather know that he's healthy? Our second son was full term & even tho he was on my breast straight away, he wasn't interested but w/in a couple of hours, he became a champion nurser. I know it's what you've read but I'm gonna be a bit blunt here, being away from you for a couple of hours isn't going to be a huge factor in how well he nurses. There are sooooo....many books out there bombarding us w/information & we moms all feel the need to keep current on 'the latest' but what I realized & you will, too, is that as the mom, you know your child & your instincts are always more right than some book written by someone who doesn't know your child. Good luck & hope this helps. Merry Christmas.

Hi S.,

I had a c-section after many hours of labor at Marin General and they have the same procedure as you mentioned. At first I was a little hurt/distressed that I could not spend that first hour with my baby, but I learned later on that it is important for the nurse to monitor you after the c-section as it is a major surgery. They need to make sure that you are recovering well and not having any complications from the surgery.

I recovered fine and my baby, husband, mom and dad joined me in the recovery room shortly after. Now that I know why this is done, I feel much better and don't remember much of that waiting time!

Best of luck to you.

LGW

Hi S.,
I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this. I did not have a C-section, but my son was born at 29 weeks and could not breastfeed for about three or four weeks (maybe more -- hard to recall). I pumped and they fed him my breastmilk as soon as they could. When I was able to take him to my breast, we didn't have any issues other than my needing to wear a nipple shield because his mouth was still so small. I was at CPMC, but I'm sure UCSF has this, too: there were lactation consultants who help with any breastfeeding difficulties. I've had friends who had completely "normal" deliveries who had issues breastfeeding (for one, her milk wouldn't let down, or something like that). For me, it was weeks before my son could breastfeed. However, he took to it right away. As upsetting as being separated for two hours will be (and I know nothing about the "why" of that), I held my son for a brief moment before he was taken to the NICU, and I wasn't able to hold him again for at least several days. With a two pound,six ounce baby, I really didn't have a choice. We all came out of the experience just fine. I pumped, and the hospital fed him my breastmilk (w/ extra fortification). Even after I started to take him to my breast, I was only allowed to do so once a day because it was too tiring for him to do any more. He's 4.5 years old now and absolutely fine. Unfortunately these things don't always go as planned! I've never heard that babies have a hard time breastfeeding if not taken to the breast right after birth, and that was certainly not my experience in a far more extreme situation. Please try not to get too upset. Being separated for two hours stinks, but let me tell you, leaving your baby in the hospital for weeks after you've gone home is horrifying. Try to enjoy your baby's birth, even if things don't go quite as you would like. As a mom you'll find that this is a trend that will continue (darn kids having their own minds!), and the best thing to do for both your child and for your sanity is to let go when something is outside of your control. Perhaps you can use the methods other posters have mentioned to turn your baby. I've had freinds who've used these methods successfully and others for whom it just didn't work. Do not, however, choose home birthing for a breach baby, please! We can complain all we want about managed care (I don't know how those people sleep at night) and I'm a HUGE fan of alternative medicine, but doctors and nurses are indispensible in certain situations, and delivering breach is one of those. Good luck, and enjoy your baby.

Hi S.,
You're right, it is hospital policy at UCSF that cesarean babies go to the nursery for the first few hours after birth. Both SFGH and St. Lukes are more leniant, and - if the pediatrician in the OR says baby looks good - she/he can stay with the parents through the rest of the time in the OR. Due to the fact that a surgery is still going on though, it is not possible for mom to actually hold the baby or initiate breastfeeding until in the post-surgery recovery room. Unfortunately SFGH does not take privately insured patients (only Medi-Cal) but St. Lukes does.
Yes, scientific data shows that the first 2 hours postpartum are very important for mother-baby bondng, but breastfeeding and bonding can still be very successfully initiated hours - or days - later. A few very helpful things would be to :
1. not let baby be washed in the nursery if baby does have to spend some time there. Studies show the newborns have a very fine sense of smell and can smell their own amniotic fluid which helps them know who mom is.
2. consider having one of the hospital flannel receiving blankets against your chest and underarms before and during the surgery. Dad can bring this with him into the nursery and baby can be swaddled in it to have mom's smell closeby.
3. consider requesting that you not be given any IV sedatives during the part of the surgery after the baby is born. This will insure that you do not pass these drugs to baby when you do nurse.
4. for you first contact with baby, have baby naked against your naked skin, belly to belly. Cover both of you with blankets to stay warm. Allow baby to feel/smell/hear/taste you and don't be surprised if she/he starts to gradually wiggle and squirm to the breast. Give baby a bit of support under her/his feet so baby can push off and move up to the breast. Be patient, it can take awhile. You know how kittens, puppies etc. find their way to the breast? Humans can do the same, and research shows it actually more profoundly ingrains the neurological pathways for breastfeeding success than just sticking a swaddled baby at the breast and putting it the baby's mouth. Curious? Check out the 6 minute video "Newborn self-attachment" at Natural Resources on Valencia and see a cesaren-born baby self-attach 12 hours after it was born!

Good luck!

A. Reagan, Licensed Midwife

Hi S.,
I would not worry about the milk. I had a natural delivery, I could hold my baby just seconds after she was born and still she had to wait three long days before finally my milk came in. I was almost giving up, when it finally arrived. Of course, she lost a lot of weight, but all was fine afterwards, and she is now a wonderful 17 month toddler.

UCSF is an excellent hospital. I trust that if they do this, they have reasons to. My daughter was born at Stanford, where they promote as much as possible natural birth (contrarily to what many think). But they also care about the safety of mothers and babies, and many of these procedures are designed to minimize risks. There is so much talk about returning to the natural methods, but we should probably begin to give credits to the medical system for having improved our lives and that of our babies (it was doctors who did researches and told us to take folic acid). I have a very dear friend who delivered one month after I did and almost died after a natural birth at home. Her midwife did not realize that she had a fast spreading infection and before we knew it she was in septic shock. So, as you can see, all cases have their risks and benefits. I would trust the doctors.
Good luck!

YES! Transfer to General!
They are great there!
Don't let them take the baby for 2 hours!
It is best to give them the breast in the first 1/2 hour.
Good luck!
There are also natural ways to get the baby to turn.... acupuncture is a good one, certain positions to put your body in..... check it out....

S.,
I was in your exact same position. I had 2, maybe 3, I can't remember, external versions scheduled. None of them worked. I refused to let them "schedule" a c-section. I went into labor spontaneously at home, went to the hospital, and had a c-section.
We came with the mindset of wanting a non-medicated, natural homebirth where we would be with our child every minute. Unfortunately, that isn't the way it goes with a c-section. However, my husband was a super champ. Yes, they did take her away to the nursery while I was getting stitched up and taken to recovery. But, my husband kept asking them..."what do you NEED to do and what can wait til later?" I saw my baby again in the recovery room where I initiated nursing for the first time. I got to hold her and nurse her for what seemed like a long time. With all of the drugs, I'm not exactly sure how long it was. I do remember the pediatrician coming in to ask if we wanted eye drops, vaccines, etc. My husband, refused all of these things because he kept telling them that the most important thing was to get my daughter to me. Bless him! Bottom line is that yes, she did get taken away, but not for very long. You can tell them what you want and work around some policies. My daughter was NEVER alone in that hospital. If she was taken somewhere me or my husband went with her. I held her in my arms the entire first night in the hospital.
So with all of that, I recommend being very educated about your rights and what you want. If you have any other specific questions, feel free to ask. I was once in your position and was as nervous as you are now.
Good luck!

Contrary to another response you received, I would question everything that is happening to you and your baby in a hospital! Doctors are smart and have their place in the world, but they do NOT know more about you, your emotions, or your experience than you do. Medical mistakes happen everyday! AND, there is a high percentage of infections that are caused because you are in a hospital. You have a right to express your concerns and work WITH them to have a wonderful birth experience. The more knowledge and education you have about childbirth, the hospital culture, etc. the better you will feel about everything.

AND, there is still a chance that your baby will turn. I agree with Jane to try yoga, the external version, inversions, the chiropractor, and maybe even acupunture. I tried all of these things and it still didn't work for me (I found out later there was a reason why.) If you have the energy, I would try it. For my second baby, I found that relaxing and meditating helped turn my baby! So, who knows exactly why he or she wants to be breech right now!

Good luck again.

I had both versions of births, a C-section at CPMC due to my baby not turning and my water broke at 37.5 weeks. For my second baby I decided to have a homebirth in water, a VBAC.

What happened to me at the hospital was difficult to deal with emotionally and my second birth at home was truly amazing and a healing for my soul. The two births are incomparable.

The surgery went fine, but not seeing my baby and hearing her cries was hard on me and also on the baby. I didn't get to see her for what seemed like an eternity. The shock of being pulled from a womb into bright light is hard enough, but then to be measured, proddded and weighed and checked out right after being born is hard for many babies. They cry because they need their mama.
My second baby looked me straight in the eyes after she emerged and I held her as she was being checked. The measuring can happen later. She cried a little and then started to breastfeed.
Most unneccessary procedures in hospitals happen because docs are afraid of being sued, but it's "policy".
I'd say, within a realm of safety, you can challenge certain policies that seem unneccessary and request to have your baby with you, in your arms, as soon as it's possible.

The best of luck to you!!! Hopefully your baby will turn in time.
Also, after my homebirth, my midwife told me that it would have been easy for me to give birth to a breech baby naturally ;-)

Also, healing after a birth is usually easier after a natural birth, it was for me anyway. However, if you do have a C-sec, just stay focused on the happiness that you will soon have your sweet baby in your arms and that a UCSF your baby will be well cared for. Theya re all pros there.
Hugs to you mama!