Fighting for skin to skin ...One of the last few births I attended was unfortunately a fast crash after the epidural placement. Things were already looking grim prior, so it wasn’t exactly surprising. Plus, the staff just happened to be coming off a fetal loss due to rupture 24 hours prior, so there was an unfortunate bias towards over-protection. It was surprising however compared to the MONTHS of preparing and planning the parents and I had done together. I was so confident and so were they to achieve this intended #VBAC. We had also played out the possibility of another “#BellyBirth” because I knew that being okay with the last birth could help the mom approach the next one with more peace. Little did I know that preparation would come in handy for a totally different reason. The last thing I knew about this birth was my memory of throwing scrubs across the room to the Dad saying “go.” And telling the mom to “be present, send love to your baby.” It moved SO fast! I heard about their experience in the OR at the postpartum. I was completely shocked to hear that the Dad was yelled at to get out during prep (although separation is the norm in most hospitals, this particular OB and hospital is a little more progressive). They didn’t even ask for him back into the room for the birth, he just happened to help himself in. My parents were very informed and educated because of their last experience and also because we’d been together in #HypnoBirthing class as well as prenatal appointments as their #doula. When it came to #skintoskin this couple knew that was worth fighting for. The Dad was again yelled at as he stepped over the Sterile Field. He said he stepped into a crime scene. I feel like he stepped into a war. His wife was crying out for her baby, “if he’s fine, I want him.” But the response wasn’t ideal. The Dad’s Military background must have helped him grab his baby and put him on his wife. And later have his own skin to skin time as well. I’m brought to tears as I recall the bravery both of these parents. I’m also brought to anger. Why?! Why?! Is it that even in a situation that isn’t an emergency are parents not being given this option of a “gentle cesarean,” also called a “family centered cesarean.” I’ve heard all the excuses. It’s too cold, the mom could fall off the table, the baby could fall off the mom, there’s not enough room, etc… But if the baby is vigorous, skin to skin should be a number one priority both in vaginal births and belly births. Skin to skin care immediately after birth is beneficial for baby, “The baby is happier, the baby’s temperature is more stable and more normal, the baby’s heart and breathing rates are more stable and more normal, and the baby’s blood sugar is more elevated. Not only that, skin to skin contact immediately after birth allows the baby to be colonized by the same bacteria as the mother. This, plus breastfeeding, are thought to be important in the prevention of allergic diseases. When a baby is put into an incubator, his skin and gut are often colonized by bacteria different from his mother’s. We now know that this is true not only for the baby born at term and in good health, but also even for the premature baby. Skin to skin contact and Kangaroo Mother Care can contribute much to the care of the premature baby. Even babies on oxygen can be cared for skin to skin, and this helps reduce their need for extra oxygen, and keeps them more stable in other ways as well.” - Jack Newman, MD Immediate skin to skin is also equally as important for mom. There is a massive oxytocin release after birth where moms (and babies) are intended to bond. The absence of this bonding can have postpartum depression implications as moms feel a true loss and even a disconnect towards their baby’s in some cases. In a belly birth setting the postpartum implications are centered around the feeling that birth happened to them, instead of giving birth. It translates to this “high-jacking” feeling which is a problem in a lot of other areas of maternity care currently. However, if baby is placed directly on mom, she can focus on her baby and her ability to love that baby so intensely and so immediately. She can focus on HER ability to love that which is HER’S. It’s an empowering experience that is so necessary for her emotional state as a mother. The alternative is someone else having more authority than necessary over this little person that no one could love more than her and her partner. So until we see a change for the better in our hospitals, I charge you parents. I employ you to take ownership of your births. Especially if you know that a belly birth is in order, vocalize your desires for skin to skin. And in all cases where baby is well, FIGHT for skin to skin for baby and for mom. -Karen Sousa, CD(DONA), CLEC, CHBE
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Karen Brann
Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, Lactation Educator/Counselor Archives
July 2019
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