After her first pregnancy resulted in a cesarean section, Whitney Scott of Jackson was hopeful that with her second pregnancy she would be able to have a natural delivery. Unfortunately, a combination of gestational diabetes and her due date meant a second C-section. When her midwife told her of a new approach to the procedure called a gentle cesarean section that mimics some of the essential elements of natural childbirth, Scott was interested. On October 6, 2015, Logan William Scott began as the first baby born by gentle cesarean at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. Since then, six area physicians have added the gentle cesarean as an option for their patients.
“Holly Williams was my healthcare provider at the Woman’s Clinic. My gestational diabetes meant a higher probability of complications and the consensus was for my pregnancy to not exceed 40 weeks,” said Whitney Scott. “When Holly presented the concept of a scheduled “gentle section” and Dr. Roy’s involvement in the procedure, I was more than willing to be a part of this awesome experience. We didn’t mind being a part of the procedure overall. We were focused on having a healthy baby delivered and a healthy mother post-procedure. We already knew from previous experience what a C-section entailed; thus, we did not mind helping Holly and Dr. Roy through being the first gentle section.”
Scott, who is a registered nurse, found the idea of being able to see the C-section process and view her child right out of the womb, interesting. “With the C-section for my first son, the first time I saw him he was cleaned, dry, and wrapped in a blanket,” she said. “Hearing our first son’s cry behind an opaque drape was my first sensory experience with him as opposed to being able to actually see Logan as Dr. Roy lifted him out of the womb. The visual connection when the infant is lifted from the womb and the almost instant skin-to-skin contact prior to getting wiped down are two major benefits of this procedure. I believe the bond between mother and infant is strengthened with these two characteristics, which are typical of a vaginal birth.”
“As an OB/GYN I must admit that performing a C-section is very different when the mom is watching through the clear drape,” said Ryan Roy, MD, who was the first to perform the procedure at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. “The best part is when I deliver the baby and hold it up, I can see the mom's face as she sees her beautiful new baby for the first time.”
Because Logan was the first to be born with the new approach, some adjustments had to be made in the delivery room. “The first thing that had to be done was to find a clear sterile surgical drape that would work,” said Deena Kail, executive director, West Tennessee Women’s Center. “Teamwork between Dr. Roy, his assistant, nurse midwife, anesthesia, labor and delivery staff, and the family was key. There were also some minor changes were made in the operating room to provide improved visibility for the mom and dad such as changing the angle of the table. But the staff was excited to offer this new concept. Since October we have had about 20 mothers choose this method.”
“Many of the patients who opt for the ‘Gentle C’ have had previous C-sections, and say they feel more involved in the process, have quicker bonding and earlier success with breast feeding,” said Roy “This option is not for everyone and both mom and dad need to be on board as well as discuss it with their physician.”
Photo Notes:
Headshot of Ryan Roy, M.D.,
Logan 035 “”
Logan 007 “Logan Scott enters the world via gentle cesarean which allowed his mother to watch his birth through a clear drape.”
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