Family friendly RCS?

[jnnfrrose6]

I'll be having my third c-section with this baby (the only 2 doctors in my area that will consider a vbac after 2 are not doctors I would consider using). My new doctor is out of a "family friendly" hospital and has assured me I can have skin to skin while still in the OR (barring any complications) and even said they could lower the curtain for me to watch. My initial reaction to that was a big ol' NOPE, but the more I think about it, the more I think I might prefer it. My first 2 were rather surreal. I mean, my babies are being born, but there's a big blue curtain up keeping me from seeing anything, including my babies until they are already wrapped up. It was like something happening to me, not with me.

So, to the question from all of my rambling. Has anyone who had a c-section had the curtain pulled down to watch? If so, how much of *you* did you see? I think that's the part that creeps me out the most.

[mikaela20]

I'm likely going to have a c section and I'm terrified but preparing myself mentally for the OB to say it.

I think I would pass out if I could see any cutting or flesh. I don't think I could watch.

[sarahh]

I will also be having a RCS but the curtain was up for my last one. I would be worried that I would pass out from watching and then not be able to hold the baby right away.

[jnnfrrose6]

Yeah, I need more details from the doctor, but I believe they don't lower the curtain until after the cutting and opening of me are done. That's why I'm curious how much of *me* I might see. DH looked over the curtain last time after DD was born and said he saw way more of my insides than he ever needed to.

[callmeKD]

I didn't want to see anything during my vaginal birth. no mirror etc. so there's no way I'd want that curtain down, especially if I would be able to hold the baby right away.

[cosmicav]

I would probably have nightmares for the rest of my life if I watched them cut into me and pull out the baby. I also did not want a mirror during my vaginal birth. Just not for me at all.

[meggypoo1]

Aug 10, 2016 8:55:10 GMT -5 callmeKD said:

I didn't want to see anything during my vaginal birth. no mirror etc. so there's no way I'd want that curtain down, especially if I would be able to hold the baby right away.

This exactly

[jnnfrrose6]

Aug 10, 2016 11:02:56 GMT -5 meggypoo1 said:

Aug 10, 2016 8:55:10 GMT -5 callmeKD said:

I didn't want to see anything during my vaginal birth. no mirror etc. so there's no way I'd want that curtain down, especially if I would be able to hold the baby right away.

This exactly

I totally get this and it would have been me too if I had a vaginal delivery, but as soon as the baby was out, wasn't it up on your chest, or do I have some grand illusions about that?  Even if you didn't watch the baby as you pushed it out, as soon as you had that last push, wasn't the baby practically in your arms?  I think that is more what I feel like I've missed out on and wasn't sure if it's something that I could get close to with this type of experience. So many people handled my babies before I got to hold them. 

[meggypoo1]

Aug 10, 2016 11:09:34 GMT -5 jnnfrrose6 said:

Aug 10, 2016 11:02:56 GMT -5 meggypoo1 said:

This exactly

I totally get this and it would have been me too if I had a vaginal delivery, but as soon as the baby was out, wasn't it up on your chest, or do I have some grand illusions about that?  Even if you didn't watch the baby as you pushed it out, as soon as you had that last push, wasn't the baby practically in your arms?  I think that is more what I feel like I've missed out on and wasn't sure if it's something that I could get close to with this type of experience. So many people handled my babies before I got to hold them. 

It depends. For me she was not. She had the cord wrapped around her neck twice. Her heart rate was dropping while I was pushing so she needed to be looked at ASAP. She also happened to poop so they needed to make sure she didn't swallow it.
I did see her come out of my vag but not all the grossness from it because it's hard to miss.

[callmeKD]

Aug 10, 2016 11:09:34 GMT -5 jnnfrrose6 said:

Aug 10, 2016 11:02:56 GMT -5 meggypoo1 said:

This exactly

I totally get this and it would have been me too if I had a vaginal delivery, but as soon as the baby was out, wasn't it up on your chest, or do I have some grand illusions about that?  Even if you didn't watch the baby as you pushed it out, as soon as you had that last push, wasn't the baby practically in your arms?  I think that is more what I feel like I've missed out on and wasn't sure if it's something that I could get close to with this type of experience. So many people handled my babies before I got to hold them. 

no, she wasn't. DD was 5 weeks early so the neonatalogist looked at her did measurements, etc. made sure she was breathing, before I got to hold her. 

[jillywilly]

I'll probably be doing a RCS as well to deliver, and seeing over the curtain is a big 'ole NOPE here. I did have the option of holding DS while I was in the OR - I think it just took a minute or two for them to clean him or do whatever they needed, and then they asked if I wanted him on my chest. I was shaking uncontrollably at that point, so I declined because I was terrified of dropping him, so they gave him to my H instead, who held him right by me. I got him soon after when I was back in recovery.

My H did tell me he made the mistake and looked over and saw what he *thought* was my placenta, and that almost made him throw up. So we'll both be on our happy, no-view side of the curtain!

[glb30]

The title of this made me think you were going to ask if you should bring your other kids in... 🙃

[bookish]

I will be having a RCS this go-round...I don't think I could handle watching them pull everything out and pull the baby out...would totally pass out!

[daisylola11]

I haven't had a c-section but if I every did and could choose to have it down I would. I'm not a squeamish person and have seen c-sections when I volunteered at the hospital a while back. You are pretty covered up with the blue paper blanket thing. And I think the pulling out of baby and onto your chest (if circumstances permit) is what I would want to experience.