People may think that hypnobirthing can only be used for vaginal births. Hypnobirthing techniques can, and definitely should be used for any kind of birth. The ultimate goal of hypnobirthing is to help you so stay calm, relaxed and focussed. A positive caesarean birth is all about knowing your choices (yes there are still choices), preparing yourself and your partner, and understanding that this birth is just as valid and important as any other kind of birth.
Understanding why
When you first see that positive pregnancy test, I think most people imagine themselves having a vaginal delivery. So if those plans change and you are advised to have a caesarean, either planned or during labour, this can be hard to accept. Unfortunately caesarean births still seemed to be viewed as easier or less valid than vaginal births or because someone is ”too posh to push”. It’s ridiculous! A caesarean is major abdominal surgery and should be treated with the same respect and awe as a vaginal delivery.
So, if you are advised that a caesarean is the route that your birth needs to take, understanding the reasoning behind this is crucial. There are several reasons your care givers may recommend a caesarean but make sure that you ask questions about it to a point where you feel confident and comfortable. Even if this is during labour, there is still time to ask and understand why.
Your birth partner should ask questions too so they understand and can support you fully. Using the BRAIN acronym can help, understanding the Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, using your Intuition and what happens if we do Nothing.
Relaxation techniques for caesareans
With a caesarean there won’t be waves or surges to breathe through, but using your breath is about more than managing surges, it’s about helping you to relax, release any tension and manage the hormones in your body – in any kind of labour and birth, oxytocin is a crucial hormone and being relaxed and comfortable will help your body to release oxytocin. Theatres can be quite busy places and may feel a bit daunting – being in a relaxed state when you enter theatre will help manage any adrenaline you may release to.
Your birth environment
Creating a birth environment that feels right for you and helps you to relax is so important. Obviously there may be some changes to the physical environment that might not be possible in a theatre setting but here are a few things you can ask for:
1.Those birthing playlists can still be used! You can listen to music, relaxation audios or affirmations to help you to relax. Most theatres have speakers that you can connect your phone to. If for any reason there aren’t speakers in theatre, you should be able to play music quietly on your phone or through your headphones.
2.Dimming theatre lighting is quite difficult, it is naturally bright and required to be able to safely carry out the c-section. Some theatres do have multiple light sources and obstetricians that are happy to work in dimmed lighting. If you are finding the lighting intense, closing your eyes, focusing on your birth partner and using your breathing techniques can be very helpful. You could also use an eye mask.
3.The use of gentle touch of your head or arms can be utilised throughout the procedure, your birth partner can practice this in advance too.
4.You can use aromatherapy oils, dabbing your wrists or soaking some cotton wool and taping it to your hospital gown.
Gentle caesareans
You may not have heard this term before but a gentle caesarean is a way of bringing as many vaginal birth experiences to a caesarean birth. For this reason they are becoming increasingly popular and hospitals are developing various ways to make this possible for their patients.
What happens with a gentle caesarean?
• Skin to skin contact – Most babies once they are born will be put directly onto their parent’s chest after birth for immediate skin to skin contact. Your gown will be loose enough for you to have close contact.
• Lowering drapes – Lowering the drapes, or screen between your upper and lower body, is easily done and becoming much more common. This means you can see your baby being born and the parents can be the first people to find out the sex of the baby.
• Delayed cord clamping – This is facilitated as standard at all births, where the baby is born without the need for resuscitation. It is usually about 2 minutes in theatre in order to keep the baby warm and facilitate skin to skin while keeping the sterile environment protected.
Remember, C-sections are simply another way to give birth and if they are right for you and your baby, you can make them a positive experience. They are no less valid than a vaginal birth – you birthed your baby.
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