C-Sections and Birth Preferences

Whether planned or due to unexpected complications arising during birth, needing a c-section can invite different type of needs from a vaginal delivery. One of the most common fears with a c-section is that the birth isn't "real" or doesn't hold the same type of gravity that giving birth vaginally does. This is simply not true. Having a baby via cesarean is still giving birth. Both types of entrance for baby can be beautiful and meaningful for you, your baby, and your family. 

It is important going in to your experience, whether it is medicalized or non medicalized (or sits outside of that binary) to know that ALL birth is inherently meaningful and sacred. Whether a through surgery, at the hospital, or at home it is possible to tap into that spiritual significance while adapting to the circumstances. No matter how baby comes to meet us, we can tap into the magic of birth when we find pathways to do so. 

This post will include a few practical ideas for highlighting the spiritual transition of birth in surgical settings. 

First of all, if you are planning a c-section it will be easy to incorporate spiritual or religious significance into your plan. This may mean playing a certain piece of music in the OR while baby is emerging (yes, this is allowed in many hospitals), or having your support person read a poem while baby comes. In the OR, you can also request delayed cord clamping and skin to skin  once baby has arrived, the same as if a vaginal birth occurred. Skin to skin can and should happen in the OR! This may look like your support person placing baby against your chest while the tissue is being repaired postpartum. You may ask for the placenta to be saved for your observation or keepsake. Once you reach the recovery area after surgery, you can continue skin to skin and baby may begin to root to try a first feed if you are planning to breast/chest feed. 

Another wonderful idea that one of my clients with a planned cesarean had was to have her friends and family all light a candle in their respective homes during the time of her scheduled surgery. This is one of the beautiful things about a planned c-section - your community and loved ones will know when it is happening and be able to send you well wishes or say a prayer or thought for you on the day. 

While recovering from a cesarean can bring its own pains and challenges, there are many resources to support in recovery and it is okay and a good thing to ask for support. One of my favourite resources that I often draw from is nurturingthemother.ca. Janelle provides many resources that support expectations and needs around cesarean birth, and has a recovery guide available on her website. 

The most important takeaway is that giving birth via c-section is still giving birth. It will still release the hormones that move through the body to promote bonding between birthing person and baby and support lactation. There are so many ways that c-sections can be made meaningful through ritual, music, poetry, and bonding and it is more than possible to leave your c-section feeling satisfied with your birth experience! 

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