Unless there is a medical reason for you to have a caesarean section, doctors usually recommend that you give birth to your baby vaginally. This is usually medically safer for you and you are likely to make a quicker physical recovery.
The thought of going through labour and giving birth to a baby who has died can come as a huge shock to many parents. The midwife or nurse will ensure that you are well cared for during your labour and the birth, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions before your baby is born.
With time and support, most mothers adjust to the idea of going through labour. Although it may seem strange, many mothers who have been through this experience say that it feels right to have been able to go through labour and give birth to their baby. However, if you find the idea of labour too much to cope with, or if you have had a difficult birth or a caesarean in the past, do discuss this with the doctor who is looking after you.
1. When your baby died
Your baby might have died before or during labour. If your baby has died before labour you will, in most cases, need to give birth. You may have been told that your baby is extremely unwell and not expected to live more than a few hours or days.
Waiting to give birth is an incredibly difficult time. Whilst you are waiting you may have a huge range of thoughts and feelings racing through your head, you may feel completely numb or anything in between. Even after your baby has died, as you change position you might still feel the baby move in your womb as and this could feel very unsettling for you.
You should be offered a private space to give birth away from other mothers and families. You will be encouraged to have a partner or someone else with you for support and to help you make decisions, as it can be very hard to focus at this time.