In plain words
A family-centered cesarean is a surgical birth planned to feel more like a family event. The drape may be lowered so you can see your baby being born. The baby can be placed on your chest soon after birth, and a partner may be able to hold the baby while you are sewn up. Some hospitals offer this as a standard option. Others offer it only on request. The safety of the surgery is the same. Ask your provider whether your hospital offers it, and what they would need from you. You can also share what matters to you in your birth plan. Some mothers find these steps help them feel present and connected after a .
The deeper version
Family-centered cesarean describes a modified surgical technique that includes a lowered drape, the baby delivered slowly, and immediate or early in the operating room. Smith, Plaat, and Fisk (BJOG, 2008) described the technique. Armbrust and colleagues (Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 2016) described a family-oriented cesarean approach at a Berlin hospital and reported high maternal satisfaction without added complications. A literature review by Stevens and colleagues (Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2014) found early skin-to-skin contact after cesarean associated with benefits for breastfeeding and maternal wellbeing, though the quality of evidence was low.
Where it comes up
- Planning a cesareanGetting Ready for Birth
- What happens in a cesareanBirth and the First Days
- Skin-to-skin and the golden hourGetting Ready for Birth
- What your partner does in laborGetting Ready for Birth
What mothers here say about family-centered cesarean
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Sources
- Smith P, Plaat F, Fisk N — Family-centred caesarean section technique, BJOG, 2008
- Armbrust S et al. — Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, randomized trial of family-centered cesarean, 2016