Can Husbands Accompany Wives for Cesarean Sections?
Cesarean sections make up over 30 percent of all births in the United States, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With nearly one-third of women undergoing this surgical procedure, more women are beginning to ask about more personalized approaches to the cesarean. Expectant mothers may be wondering if the husband can be present during the procedure.
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Husbands and the Delivery Room
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In recent years, more delivery room staffs have allowed husbands to be present during a cesarean section. Nonetheless, some hospitals still oppose the idea. Ultimately, whether a husband can be present in the delivery room is up to hospital. Some hospitals allow husbands in planned cesareans, but not emergency cesareans. Others will allow husbands in the delivery room in all but the most extreme of cases. If having the husband in the delivery room is preferred, the mother-to-be should speak with her doctor and the hospital about their cesarean policy. Hospitals will typically only allow one person in the delivery room with the patient. The exception to this rule is if one of the attendees is a doula. Many hospitals are now recognizing the benefit of a support system in cesarean birth, thus allowing a doula, a birthing coach for a woman, in the operating room to provide support to the mother.
Husbands and the Recovery Room
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After the birth of the baby via cesarean, the mother will be moved to a recovery room. This is the area where she will be monitored post-surgery. A husband is typically allowed in the recovery room if his spouse is stable. Husbands may go directly to the recovery room or may go to the nursery with the baby if the baby has been removed from mom for medical care or evaluations. The procedure will depend on hospital policy and medical necessity. If there are no complications in the procedure and the hospital has a guest policy, the husband should be able to be in the recovery room with his spouse.
Planning
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If a woman desires her partner's presence during birth, research and planning may be necessary. Research the hospital's policy on guests in the surgery room for cesareans. Even if you are planning on a vaginal birth, ask the hospital for their cesarean policy. This will ensure that, should an emergency arise, the husband will know what to expect. If planning a vaginal birth, include a cesarean birth plan as well. In the plan, discuss the importance of having the husband present in the room for delivery. This is also the place to outline any specifics such as having the spouse cut the cord. Hospital staff should be told of the birth plan before labor or delivery. This will allow for them to discuss anything that may not be possible in the plan.
Natural Cesarean Section
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Many hospitals now offer the ability for women to have a "natural cesarean." This is the process of making a cesarean as close to a vaginal birth as possible. Parents are allowed to be active participants in the birth and can watch as the baby is born. There are no screens separating the mother's view from the baby. Babies are withdrawn from the abdomen slowly and placed immediately on the mother's chest. Soft lighting in the room and soothing music are sometimes offered in natural cesarean sections as well.
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