One of the toughest moments in my life was being rolled down the hallway for an emergency c-section. Saying goodbye to my husband as we exchanged “I love yous” was heart-wrenching. Although he joined me again when our little one arrived, that day remains a blur of emotions.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the experience, even though it was challenging. I wish I had been better prepared, especially for the sake of our son. I never thought I would need a c-section, so I hadn’t read up on them at all.
Since he was born early, he had to stay in the NICU for eight days, and I couldn’t hold him until the end of that period. I had to pump, and he was fed via bottle or feeding tube. We missed out on skin-to-skin contact, and he didn’t get any of my beneficial bacteria right after birth. (In the picture, I’m smiling because of the medication since the epidural didn’t work, not because the birth itself was gentle!)
After my c-section, I started researching ways to make c-sections more gentle and to help with recovery. Having gone through it myself, I wanted to support other women in having a smoother experience. I’ve had the chance to assist at several c-section births as a doula, helping implement these ideas, and I’ve seen the benefits for both mom and baby. While I couldn’t use these techniques during my c-section, I hope my insights can help others.
Naturally, a vaginal birth is ideal, and it’s achievable more often than the current 30+% c-section rate suggests. But sometimes, like with my placenta previa, it’s not possible. In those cases, there are ways to improve the experience for both mother and child.
One critical aspect often lost in c-sections is immediate skin-to-skin contact. I didn’t get this with my son because of his breathing issues. I wonder if even a moment of contact could have helped him and prevented his NICU stay, as some research suggests.
Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate a baby’s temperature and breathing, and it influences the mother’s hormone levels. New methods have emerged to allow for this contact, like using clear sterile drapes so moms can see their babies being born, freeing a mom’s arm to hold her baby right away.
Research shows how important this immediate contact is for the baby’s gut bacteria and microbiome. The film “Microbirth” explores how a baby’s gut bacteria develop during birth and its long-term health implications.
Interestingly, babies delivered via c-section have a less diverse gut bacteria mix. This can be concerning for parents, but there’s hope. In “Microbirth,” doctors showcased a method where they used gauze to transfer the mother’s bacteria to the baby during a c-section, leading to healthier outcomes in a five-year follow-up.
This method might seem odd but is not much different from what happens in a vaginal birth. I highly recommend “Microbirth” for expectant parents, especially those with planned c-sections. I’m buying copies for doctors to highlight its importance.
When a c-section is necessary, especially if planned, families can discuss with their doctors how to make the environment more gentle. These small changes can create a better experience for everyone involved.
