About 3 out of 10 babies in Germany are born via c-section. But how can you prepare for a c-section as expecting parents, whether it is planned or unplanned?
Many expecting parents tend to think that, since a c-section is a surgery, the parents don't have a say in the procedure but that does not have to be the case. In fact, as our expert Laetitia Bricout tells us, expecting parents who are informed about innovations in c-section birth can improve their own birth outcome as well as the hospital's protocoles.
In this article, doula Laetitia Bricout will share her knowledge and tips on the topic of c-sections with us. Laetitia herself underwent an emergency C-section for her first born and experienced a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) for her second child. She is now an advocate for better care and preparation for c-section mothers, and will share with us her knowledge on how to prepare for a c-section birth.
As a French mother of 2 married to a Korean/New Zealander she is also experienced in multicultural families and how it can influence parenthood. In her work as a doula, Laetitia supports French and English speaking families in Berlin and in Paris.
She volunteers for awareness around Postpartum Depression and Mental Health struggles in parenthood through Association Maman Blues. Finally, she specialized in Aquatic relaxation and is trained in swaddled baths, perfect for babies and their parents to release tensions and emotional knots.
What are your tips for families on how to prepare for a planned c-section?
If you are planning for a c-section, you will have time to discuss your wishes with the team beforehand since it will not be an emergency.
For example, you can look into extra peritoneal c-section, which surgically delivers the baby through an incision in the lower uterine segment without entering the peritoneal cavity. This keeps the peritoneal cavity intact and can help reduce the risk of adhesions, postoperative ileus, and future infertility related to surgery.
You may also like to look into a gentle c-section birth, which reproduces as much as possible the physiology of birth but with a c-section: dimmed lights, parents’ music playlist, pushing your baby out (with a Winner Flow, an exhalation nozzle used to tone and strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal belt), no separation after birth, skin-to-skin with the mother, etc.
Most times it is still a very medical procedure which doesn't really take into account the physiology and psychology of birth. But we can update doctors and challenge them with the latest research and good practice.
I am also passionate about empowering women who give birth through c-section because I have learned through testimony from c-section moms that being informed and believing that giving birth via c-section is not a failure, makes a world of a difference for the women and families.
How can expecting parents prepare for the eventuality of an unplanned c-section?
There are many reasons why you may end up having a c-section. In fact, around 30% of babies in Germany are born via c-section.
Since you won’t know beforehand, it is harder to “plan” for an unplanned c-section. However, you can still make it part of your birth plan:
Give the team a heads’ up and ask them to not wait for the red code (the last emergency level for c-section, where the team only has 15 minutes to get the baby out)
Instead, ask them to take you to have the c-section when there is still time, so it is not an extreme emergency. It will allow you and your partner to be more active in your birth. There will be time to discuss what can still be kept from your birth plan.
I strongly recommend discussing the topic ahead of time and checking what the protocol is, since it varies from hospitals and even OBGYNs:
Can you grab your baby when it comes out?
Can they provide first care for the baby next to you? (if no extra/emergency care needed)
Can your partner assist in any way?
If you have to be separated, how long until you can be reunited with your baby after the surgery?
The more you ask, the better you will be able to cope with it if it happens because you will be informed.
How can expecting parents mentally prepare for a c-section?
Overall, remember: Every birth is different with its load of challenges, surprises and success. If you are informed about c-section, what is possible with your hospital/the team, and if you manage to feel heard and respected in the process, you will feel empowered and it will still be a magical moment.
Giving birth is the starting block of the journey but it doesn’t shape everything! You learn about yourself as you get to know your baby.
Also, don’t believe everything you will read on the internet about c-section babies, about c-section birth and about how powerful vaginal birth is.
You and your baby are unique and you will write your own story.
You are powerful and the perfect mother for the baby you birthed, and if you are the partner/family of a c-section mum reading this, be sure to tell her this!
I would also recommend you prepare for a relaxed post-partum and already give space to your partner. You don’t have to do it all yourself.
What about the period after the c-section? How can expecting parents prepare for it?
When preparing for birth you also want to prepare mentally for the postpartum period. You can prepare food supplements to counter balance the hormonal drop, which can be more intense with the mental impact from a c-section.
You should prepare for a loss of mobility after a c-section. For example, when I came back home, I couldn’t go up the stairs to my bedroom in my 2-story flat and we had to camp downstairs.
You also need to project yourself in a more assisted version of motherhood, at least in the first weeks.
For more information about how to recover physically and emotionally from a c-section, check our follow-up article.
Thanks Laetitia!
If you have any questions or need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to Laetitia.
You can also check out her website, macesarienne.com, which provides lots more information on how to prepare and recover from a c-section. (The website is in French but Google Translate works quite well.)
