03/18/2026
this is for you đ
Can you have a birth plan for a scheduled C-section? Yes. Hereâs exactly what Iâd put on mine.
Iâm Charlotte, an L&D nurse turned doula and childbirth educator. Iâve been in the room for hundreds of births, including a lot of C-sections, and I want you to know that a planned cesarean is still YOUR birth. You still get a say.
Hereâs what to consider including:
Environment: Ask staff to keep conversation to a minimum and request that your doctor narrate whatâs happening as it happens. You shouldnât be lying on that table wondering whatâs going on.
Music: Request your own playlist. Itâs your babyâs birthday, not your surgeonâs Spotify.
Delayed cord clamping: This should be standard, at least 60 seconds. Ask for it anyway.
Partner cuts the cord: Ask that the cord is cut long so your partner can trim it at the warmer. Not necessary but fun.
Skin to skin in the OR: Look into a Most hospitals donât have them but they make OR skin to skin much easier
Baby stays with you: Ask that your partner and baby remain in the OR until youâre fully closed. If you arenât feeling up to skin to skin you could have dad hold baby swaddled.
Dad does skin to skin in recovery: While theyâre transferring you to the room, have your partner do skin to skin with baby
Delay weights, measurements, and meds: Until youâre settled in recovery and ready.
Newborn medications: The standard offerings are Vitamin K, Hep B vaccine, and erythromycin eye ointment. List what you want and what youâre declining.
One thing I canât stress enough: run all of this by your provider before your delivery day. If they shut down every request, thatâs important information about whether youâre delivering at the right hospital.
Drop any questions below đ
