Preparing for a C-Section: 10 Things You Can Ask For (That You Might Not Know About)
If you've made the informed choice to have a planned c section, you have more options than you might realise to create a positive, empowering birth experience. In this article, I share some things you’ll want to consider when preparing for a C-section.
Many people assume that having a caesarean means giving up control over their birth preferences, but this isn’t the case. Just like vaginal births, belly births can be personalised to align with your values and desires. The key is knowing what to ask for and clearly communicating your wishes to your healthcare provider.
Discussing them in advance with your birth team will give you the best chance of having your preferences honoured. It’s worth noting that many of these requests can be accommodated on the day, too, so you can still include them on a vaginal birth plan, should it unfold differently.
Why you need a C-Section birth plan.
Creating a birth plan specifically for your caesarean is just as important as it would be for any other birth. This document serves as a communication tool between you and your medical team, ensuring everyone understands your priorities and preferences. It also helps you feel more prepared and in control of your birth experience.
Your c-section birth plan should be concise, realistic, and flexible. While medical safety always comes first, there's often room to influence or change the standard way of doing things. Discuss your plan with your obstetrician, anaesthesiologist, and the hospital staff well before your due date.
10 things you can ask for.
1. Maternal-assisted caesarean or gentle/natural caesarean.
During a maternal-assisted or gentle caesarean, the initial incision is made, and your baby is slowly lifted out, or given time to gently work their way out at their own pace, rather than being immediately lifted out. This woman-centred approach allows for a more gradual transition for your baby and can help with fluid drainage from their lungs, potentially reducing respiratory issues. Once your baby is born, they can be given straight to you for skin-to-skin contact. This slower, more physiological approach can make the birth feel less rushed and more natural, even within the surgical setting.
2. Birth partner present at all times.
Request that your birth partner remain with you throughout the entire procedure, including during preparation and recovery. This continuous presence provides emotional support, helps you feel less isolated, and ensures there's a familiar face by your side.
Many hospitals routinely allow this, but it's worth specifying in your birth plan to avoid any confusion, as often women are prepared in a separate room that can feel quite lonely if you aren’t aware you’ll be separated. Your partner can hold your hand, provide reassurance, and share in witnessing your baby's first moments.
3. Drips and devices in your non-dominant hand or arm.
Request that IV drips and monitoring devices be placed in your non-dominant hand or arm, leaving your dominant arm free for holding and touching your baby. This simple adjustment makes it significantly easier for you to interact with your baby while still on the operating table. It also allows midwives to better assist you in holding your baby safely.
4. Photos and video of the birth.
Request permission for photos and video to be taken during your baby's birth. This allows you to capture those precious first moments. It can be especially meaningful if your view is obstructed by the surgical drape. Your birth partner or doula can take these photos and many families find these images help them process their birth experience and create lasting memories of their child's entrance into the world.
5. Narration and screen lowering.
You can ask your surgical team to describe the procedure as it's happening (if you'd like to know), which helps you feel involved and informed rather than passive. You can also request that the screen be lowered at the moment of birth, allowing you to see your baby being born. This visual connection can be incredibly powerful for you and your hormones, helping you to feel more present during your baby's arrival. Some parents worry about seeing the surgical site, but the screen is typically lowered just enough to see the baby emerging, not the incision itself.
6. No unnecessary conversation.
The birth of your baby is a sacred and special moment that you'll remember forever. You don't need it ruined by a conversation about what your OB got up to the night before (and yes, this happens regularly!) Request that the surgical team refrain from engaging in non-medical conversation and focus solely on medical communication. This helps maintain the sacredness of the moment and allows you to focus on your baby's arrival.
7. Personal music or guided meditation.
Request that your own music or guided meditation be played during the procedure. Familiar, calming sounds can help reduce anxiety, create a more peaceful atmosphere, and make the experience feel more personal. Many operating theatres are equipped with sound systems that can accommodate your playlist. Choose music that makes you feel relaxed and positive, as this can significantly impact your overall birth experience.
8. Minimal theatre staff.
There are usually a lot of people in the operating room, and this can come as a shock if you aren't prepared. You can request that only essential personnel be present in the operating room, which can create a more intimate environment. This can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and make the space less clinical. Discuss with your healthcare provider which team members are essential so you understand who needs to be there.
9. Immediate skin-to-skin contact.
Ask for immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby as soon as they're born, provided both you and your baby are stable. This precious bonding time helps regulate your baby's temperature and heart rate, supports breastfeeding initiation, and provides important emotional benefits for both of you.
If immediate skin-to-skin isn't possible due to medical reasons, request that it happen as soon as safely possible, even while you're being sutured. Remember, unless there is an immediate medical issue, you can keep your baby with you at all times, and you can say no if staff want to take your baby away for checks. These can be done later or while the baby is in skin-to-skin contact.
You can also request that ECG stickers and cords be positioned on your upper back, shoulders, or at your sides, rather than across your chest. This keeps your chest area clear and available for immediate skin-to-skin contact, making the transition to bonding with your baby much more comfortable and natural.
10. Delayed cord clamping.
Request delayed cord clamping for three minutes based on WHO guidelines, unless there are medical contraindications. This practice allows your baby to receive additional blood from the placenta, providing extra iron stores and potentially reducing the risk of anemia. The benefits include improved iron status in the first six months of life and better cardiovascular stability during the transition to breathing. Most healthcare providers now recognise the benefits of delayed cord clamping and can accommodate this request during caesareans.
I know I said 10, but here are a couple of bonus things you can also ask for!
11. Doula support in theatre.
If you have a doula (especially if you've had a vaginal birth that has turned into a caesarean), ask for your doula to be present in the operating theatre to provide emotional support to both you and your partner during the caesarean. A doula can use relaxation techniques, guided breathing, and gentle touch to help you stay calm and focused. They can also support your partner, who may feel overwhelmed in the medical environment. While not all hospitals routinely allow doulas in theatre, many will accommodate this request when discussed in advance, recognising the valuable support they provide.
12: Vaginal seeding.
You can ask for a vaginal swab to be taken and kept sterile, then used to swab your baby's mouth, nose, and body immediately after birth. This practice, sometimes called "vaginal seeding," aims to expose c-section babies to beneficial bacteria they would naturally encounter during vaginal delivery. While research is still ongoing about its effectiveness, many healthcare providers are willing to accommodate this request when proper sterile technique is used.
Making your requests heard.
Advocating for your birth wants and needs isn't about being demanding—it's your right, and will help ensure your birth experience aligns with your values while maintaining safety for you and your baby. Most healthcare providers want to support positive birth experiences and are often willing to accommodate reasonable requests when they don't compromise medical care.
If you've made the informed choice to have a belly birth, you deserve to have influence on the process and feel supported throughout. By understanding the available options and clearly communicating your preferences, you can create a birth experience that feels positive, meaningful, and uniquely yours.
Consider discussing these options during your prenatal appointments, and don't be afraid to ask questions or seek clarification about hospital policies. Your birth experience matters, regardless of how your baby arrives.
Contact Kelly
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About Kelly Allen
My name is Kelly, and I’m an emerging birth and postpartum doula who is completing training at the Doula Training Academy. I service women and birthing people in the North Shore of Sydney, helping you enter and emerge from birth and the fourth trimester feeling physically and emotionally well.