728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
Get Pregnancy Information
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Dads-to-Be › A Guide to C-section Births

A Guide to C-section Births

What Dads Need to Know

By Angela Harris

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

There is lots of information available to teach new fathers everything they need to know about labor and delivery, as well as classes and books dedicated to teaching fathers how to be effective birth "coaches," but there is very little for a new dad dealing with the stress of a Cesarean section birth.

New dads are often frightened and unsure when their baby is born via C-section instead of vaginally. But by educating themselves about C-sections, they can better prepare for the procedure and the help and care that a new mom will need afterward.

Emergency C-sections
During an emergency C-section, time is of the essence, says Bridget McNitt, a registered nurse and director of maternal/childcare at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Ill. "The staff will work quickly getting Mom ready for surgery: drawing blood, signing consents, placing a catheter, shaving the abdomen and finally, moving to the operating room," she says. "Dad will not be allowed into the operating room until anesthesia is given and the patient is draped for surgery, approximately 20 minutes. In some instances, Dad will not be allowed in the operating room if Mom is given general anesthesia. Dad will be shown the baby as soon as possible in this situation."

The full procedure usually takes no longer than 30 minutes to an hour.

Planned C-sections
A planned C-section is much easier on everyone involved. You and the mother-to-be will receive information and education on the procedure from the doctor, and there will be plenty of time to prepare.

"In a scheduled case, the same preparations will take place but at a more leisurely pace," says McNitt. "Again, Dad does not go into the operating room until Mom has received anesthesia and is draped for the surgery. Dad then will leave the operating room when the baby is brought to the nursery and will catch up with Mom in recovery when she is brought out of the operating room."

After the Surgery

Pages:  1  2  3  4  


Want to see more?

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.