Maternal Assisted Caesarean

A More Involved Caesarean Birth

For women planning a caesarean, feeling present and involved in the birth can matter deeply. A Maternal Assisted Caesarean offers some women the opportunity to participate in that moment in a way that is quite different from a traditional caesarean.

Having supported many women through Maternal Assisted Caesareans, Dr Peter has seen how meaningful this approach can be for those who feel it is right for them. It will not suit every woman or every birth but when it is appropriate, it can offer a greater sense of involvement in the moment your baby arrives.

Rather than feeling removed from the birth behind the surgical drape, you can take an active role in bringing your baby towards you and welcoming them into the world.

So What Exactly Is a Maternal Assisted Caesarean?

A Maternal Assisted Caesarean allows you to take a more active role in the birth of your baby. At the appropriate time during the caesarean, the surgical drape is lowered and with guidance from Dr Peter and the theatre team, you can reach down, help bring your baby towards you and place them onto your chest.

Being involved in this way does mean seeing more of the procedure than you would during a traditional caesarean. You generally will not have a direct view of the incision itself but you may see some blood and more of what is happening in theatre. Caesarean births can also be more physical than people sometimes expect. Your partner will share much of this view, so it is worth considering how both of you feel about that beforehand.

There is also some preparation involved. You will be shown how to complete a surgical hand wash and will wear sterile gloves and a gown so you can safely participate in the birth. Dr Peter will talk you through the process before the day so you understand what will happen and what you will be asked to do.

A Maternal Assisted Caesarean is planned in advance and is not an option in an emergency. Even when everything has been carefully prepared, circumstances can change during birth and the original plan may sometimes need to change too. If that happens, the wellbeing of you and your baby will always come first.

When a Maternal Assisted Caesarean May Be Possible

A Maternal Assisted Caesarean is not necessarily limited to straightforward pregnancies. Dr Peter has experience considering and supporting this approach across a range of different pregnancies, including selected breech presentations and twin pregnancies. Factors such as the position of your baby, the location of the placenta, your medical history and the circumstances of your pregnancy all need to be considered before deciding whether a MAC may be appropriate.

There is no single checklist that determines whether you can or cannot have one. Each pregnancy is different, which is why it is helpful to start the conversation early. Dr Peter will talk through what may be possible in your circumstances, any additional considerations that apply to your pregnancy and the situations in which a more traditional caesarean may be the safer option.

Why Some Women Choose a Maternal Assisted Caesarean

There is no right or wrong way to feel about having a caesarean. Some women are very comfortable with a traditional caesarean birth, while others want to feel more physically involved in the moment their baby is born.

For some women, a MAC can offer:

The important thing is that the decision feels right for you. A Maternal Assisted Caesarean is an option to consider, rather than something you should feel you need to choose.

Being Prepared for the Possibility of Change

Planning can make a caesarean feel more familiar and give you a clearer idea of what to expect, but birth does not always follow the plan exactly. A Maternal Assisted Caesarean can only proceed while it remains safe and appropriate to do so. If there are concerns about you or your baby, if the caesarean becomes more complex than anticipated or if something unexpected happens in theatre, Dr Peter may recommend changing the plan. That does not mean anything has gone wrong with your preparation. It simply means the medical team is responding to what is happening at the time. Dr Peter will discuss these possibilities with you beforehand so that you can approach the day knowing both what you are hoping for and what may need to change.

Delivering at Frances Perry House

Dr Peter performs planned caesarean births at Frances Perry House, located within The Royal Women’s Hospital precinct in Parkville. For women considering a Maternal Assisted Caesarean, this provides a setting where the birth can be carefully planned with an experienced maternity and theatre team around you. Frances Perry House also sits alongside the specialist and neonatal resources of The Royal Women’s Hospital should additional support be required. As Head of Obstetrics at The Royal Women’s Hospital, Dr Peter works within this broader clinical environment and can draw on that level of support when needed.

Planning a Maternal Assisted Caesarean With Dr Peter

If a Maternal Assisted Caesarean is something you are considering, it is worth starting the conversation early. This gives you time to understand what is involved, talk through any concerns and consider whether there are aspects of your pregnancy that may affect whether a MAC is suitable for you.