A viral video shared by a new mum gives a special glimpse into the fascinating world of ‘gentle’ or ‘natural’ C-sections.
Sarah Saunders says her son essentially delivered himself, slowly wriggling his way into the world after doctors made the incision. Like many fans of the method, Sarah believes it allows for a less distressing birth and it also allows for vaginal seeding, if that’s something a parent is interested in doing.
So how does it work? First, doctors make an incision in the mother’s abdomen, easing the baby’s head out. In the following four minutes, the baby is allowed to push its shoulders out, using a similar movement to that experienced by an infant during a natural birth.
Afterwards, doctors lay the baby on its mother’s chest to initiate skin-to-skin contact and often, if a mum chooses to breastfeed she can give it go while doctors complete the surgery.
Sarah, who gave birth at Torbay Hospital in Devon, says:
“I wanted to share this video to show that if you are unable to give birth ‘naturally’ that having a natural Caesarean is the next best thing! In this amazing video my son delivers himself after the surgeon helps his head out.
The team at Torbay were phenomenal and gave me a birth experience I will cherish forever.”
A clinical trial into the benefits of the ‘Natural Caesarean’ is due to begin this summer in the UK.
In the meantime, watch Sarah Saunders’ emotional birth video here:
Did you have a Caesarean section? If so, would you have chosen to do it this way if doctor’s felt it was safe? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
