A cesarean, although a surgical procedure, is primarily a birth, one that needs to be respected. Bonding is not lost if a cesarean is necessary. Fathers are now welcome at cesarean births, and it is a beautiful sight to see a father with his newborn during a surgical birth. Here are some ways to foster birth bonding following a cesarean.

For the mother

Request a regional anesthesia—meaning an epidural, which anesthetizes from the navel to the toes. Unlike general anesthesia that puts you to sleep during the birth, an epidural allows you to be awake and aware during the procedure, and enables you to bond with your baby following the operation. Expect the bonding time to be somewhat limited, since you may feel physically overwhelmed, have only one arm free to hold your baby (there will be an intravenous drip in your other arm), and your baby may be able to spend just a few minutes cheek-to-cheek and eye-to-eye with you. The important thing is that you connect with your baby either visually or physically. Though bonding is different after a surgical birth, an important connection is still made.

Father bonding after cesarean birth

You can sit at the head of the table holding your wife's hand during the operation. At the moment of birth, you are able to look over the sterile drape and see baby being lifted up and out. After being surgically removed from the uterus, baby is taken immediately to a nearby infant warmer, suctioned, given oxygen (if necessary), and attended to until all systems are stable. At that time you can enjoy some family bonding time, which usually takes a little longer than with a vaginal birth. At that time you can enjoy some family bonding time. Then when the operation is complete and your wife is in the recovery room, go with your baby to the nursery and enjoy some father-bonding time. Hold your baby in the nursery. Connect verbally and physically. Even if your baby needs special care, you can still be close to baby's isolette. When the nursery staff gives you the green light, hold and talk to your baby. You'll find that your baby will respond to your voice because he's heard it all along in utero. I have noticed that hands-on fathers who take an active part in their baby's care immediately after birth find it easier to get attached to their babies later.

Related Articles

1. Bonding with your baby
2. The ways babies bond
3. Importance of bonding
4. Father-newborn bonding
5. Building a support system
6. Factors that may affect bonding
7. Tips for better bonding
8. Rooming-in vs. nursery care
9. Is there a problem?