Your Cesarean Birth Can Still Be YOUR Birth: A Guide to C-Section Preferences ✨
Your body. Your baby. Your birth.
Did you know you had options for your cesarean birth? 🤔
If you're planning a C-section or want to be prepared just in case, this post is for you! Too many women think that having a cesarean means giving up all control over their birth experience, but that's simply not true.
You have OPTIONS, and today we're talking about how to make your cesarean birth feel more like YOUR birth! 💕
Breaking Down the Myth 🚫
Let's start by busting a huge myth: a cesarean birth is still a birth. Period.
Whether your C-section is planned or unplanned, elective or emergency, you deserve to feel empowered, informed, and involved in the process. Your preferences matter, your comfort matters, and your experience matters.
Just because you're having surgery doesn't mean you have to surrender all agency over how your baby enters the world. 💪
Your Cesarean Birth Preference Options 📋
Here are some amazing options you can discuss with your healthcare team to make your cesarean more personal and family-centered:
Stay Conscious 👁️
Most cesareans are performed under spinal or epidural anesthesia, meaning you can be awake and alert for your baby's birth. This allows you to hear their first cry and be present for those precious first moments.
Request Music in the OR 🎵
Many hospitals will allow you to play your own music during surgery! Create a playlist of calming, meaningful songs that help you feel relaxed and connected to the moment. If they can't accommodate speakers, bring noise-canceling headphones so you can create your own peaceful atmosphere.
Partner/Doula in OR with You 👫
Most hospitals allow one support person in the operating room. This could be your partner, a family member, or even your doula (depending on hospital policy). Having your person there provides emotional support and ensures someone is advocating for your preferences.
Hands Free to Touch Baby 🤲
Request that your arms not be strapped down so you can touch and hold your baby immediately after birth. This skin-to-skin contact is beneficial for both you and baby!
Skin to Skin IMMEDIATELY 👶
Ask for your baby to be placed on your chest right after birth for immediate skin-to-skin contact. This helps with bonding, regulates baby's temperature, and can even help with breastfeeding success.
Delayed Cord Clamping ⏰
Unless there's a medical reason not to, you can request delayed cord clamping to allow more blood to transfer from the placenta to your baby. This provides important nutrients and stem cells.
Keep Your Placenta 🌸
If you're interested in placenta encapsulation or other placenta services, you can usually request to keep your placenta after birth.
No Unnecessary Procedures or Medications Without Consent 💊
You have the right to informed consent for any procedures or medications. Ask questions and make sure you understand what's being recommended and why.
Creating Your Cesarean Birth Plan 📝
Just like with a vaginal birth, you can create a birth preference list for your cesarean! Here's how:
Before Your Surgery:
Discuss your preferences with your OB/surgeon during a prenatal appointment
Ask about hospital policies and what's typically allowed
Share your birth plan with your entire care team
Bring multiple copies to the hospital
Sample Preferences to Consider:
"I'd like to remain conscious throughout the procedure"
"Please explain what you're doing during surgery"
"I'd like my partner to announce the baby's gender"
"Please allow me to hear baby's first cry"
"I'd like immediate skin-to-skin contact"
"Please take photos of baby's first moments"
The Power of Atmosphere 🌿
Don't underestimate how much the environment can impact your experience! Here are some ways to create a calming atmosphere:
Essential Oils: Many hospitals will allow you to bring essential oils! Lavender is particularly wonderful because it's so calming and can help reduce anxiety. You might put a drop on a tissue or ask if they can diffuse it in the room.
Music: As mentioned, creating a playlist of meaningful songs can transform the energy of the operating room. Choose music that makes you feel calm, empowered, or joyful.
Affirmations: Practice positive birth affirmations beforehand and ask your support person to remind you of them during surgery.
Breathing: Use your HypnoBirthing breathing techniques to stay calm and centered throughout the process.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team 💬
Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself! Here are some important questions to ask:
What are your policies around cesarean birth preferences?
Can I have music playing during surgery?
Can my partner cut the cord?
How soon after birth can I hold my baby?
Can we delay routine procedures until after bonding time?
What's your policy on skin-to-skin in the OR?
Can I breastfeed in recovery?
What pain management options do I have post-surgery?
If Your Cesarean is Unplanned 🚨
Sometimes cesareans happen unexpectedly, and that's okay! Even in unplanned situations, you can still advocate for some of these preferences:
Ask for immediate skin-to-skin if medically possible
Request that your partner stay with you
Ask for baby to room-in with you as soon as safely possible
Use your breathing techniques to stay calm
Remember that this is still YOUR birth story
Your Birth, Your Way 🌟
Here's what I want you to remember: having a cesarean doesn't make you any less of a warrior. You're still bringing life into this world, and that's incredible no matter how it happens.
Your birth preferences matter whether you're having a home birth, hospital birth, or cesarean birth. You deserve to feel heard, respected, and involved in the process.
Check Out the Visual Guide! 📱
I have a helpful reel on Instagram that breaks down these cesarean birth preferences visually. Sometimes seeing the options laid out can help you think about what matters most to you for your birth experience!
Working with Your Healthcare Team 🤝
The key to having your preferences honored is communication and collaboration with your healthcare team. Most providers WANT you to have a positive experience and are willing to accommodate reasonable requests that don't compromise safety.
Remember:
Discuss preferences early in pregnancy, not on delivery day
Be flexible and understand that safety comes first
Ask questions if something isn't clear
Bring an advocate (partner, doula, family member) to help communicate your needs
Recovery and Beyond 🌈
Your cesarean birth preferences don't end when baby arrives! Consider preferences for:
Pain management during recovery
Breastfeeding support
Visitor policies
Length of hospital stay
Going home preparations
The Bottom Line 💖
Whether you're planning a cesarean or want to be prepared just in case, know that you have more control over your birth experience than you might think.
Your cesarean can still be a beautiful, empowering, family-centered birth. It can still be exactly the birth YOU want for YOUR family.
Don't let anyone tell you that having a C-section means you don't get choices. You absolutely do, and those choices matter!
Want More Support? 🤗
If you're preparing for a cesarean birth or want to learn more about all your birthing options, our HypnoBirthing classes cover birth preferences for ALL types of births. We believe every mama deserves to feel confident and prepared, no matter how her baby arrives earthside.
Because at the end of the day, the most important thing is that you feel empowered, supported, and celebrated for the incredible strength it takes to bring life into this world. ✨
At Happy Birthing AZ, we support families through all types of births. Whether you're planning a natural birth, hospital birth, or cesarean, our goal is to help you feel confident and prepared for YOUR unique birth experience. Because every birth deserves to be honored and celebrated. 🌵