Mother Performs Own Caesarean in Groundbreaking NHS Birth Experience
A Scottish mother has described an unprecedented birth experience where she actively participated in her own Caesarean section, lifting her baby daughter directly from her womb in what represents a significant development in maternity care.
"The Most Magical Experience of My Life"
Leila El Alti, a 39-year-old lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, requested the innovative maternal-assisted Caesarean for her third child after being left "traumatised" by her previous birth experiences. The procedure was carried out at University Hospital Wishaw in North Lanarkshire, which operates under the NHS Lanarkshire health board.
Speaking at a recent board meeting, Ms El Alti described the moment she pulled her daughter Aurora from her womb and onto her chest as "the most magical experience of my life." She explained: "I'd recommend it to any woman who feels they would benefit from having such an active and empowering role in giving birth by C-section."
Overcoming Previous Birth Trauma
The decision to pursue this unconventional birth method stemmed from difficult previous experiences. Ms El Alti gave birth to her first child while living in Sweden, where she reported being "coerced to have a very traumatic induction" that left her with post-traumatic stress disorder.
She waited five years before having her second child after moving to the UK, but found this experience only compounded her trauma when elements of her birth plan were "breached or not implemented" despite being designed to accommodate her PTSD.
The Pioneering Procedure
When pregnant with her third child, Ms El Alti knew she wanted a maternal-assisted Caesarean and discussed the option with NHS Lanarkshire staff. The healthcare team agreed to her request, engaging in multiple discussions and conducting a full simulation session using a doll - a first for the clinicians involved.
During the actual birth in March, the lead obstetrician brought Aurora's head and shoulders out, after which Ms El Alti completed the delivery by grasping her daughter under her arms and lifting her onto her chest. The medical team accommodated several specific requests including:
- No announcement of the baby's gender
- Lights dimmed immediately after the lift
- A quiet moment for Ms El Alti to speak to Aurora so her voice would be the first her daughter heard
Transformative Recovery and Joy
Ms El Alti reported that her recovery was "very easy compared to the previous C-sections" with no complications for either mother or baby. They were able to return home the following day, and Aurora has since developed into a healthy and happy 10-month-old.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms El Alti said: "I felt euphoric for weeks after Aurora was born, and my joy was not just for myself; my having done this successfully has hopefully opened the door for other women to also have this wonderful experience as a valid birth option."
NHS Commitment to Person-Centred Care
Trudi Marshall, NHS Lanarkshire executive nurse director, praised the maternity and obstetrics colleagues for their innovative approach: "We're immensely proud of our colleagues for the way they stepped out of their comfort zone to offer Leila the opportunity to give birth in the way she wanted and needed."
She added that this represents "a fantastic example of what we strive to provide - care that's person-centred and trauma-informed" and reflects Scotland's health and social care policy of getting it right for every individual.
The successful implementation of this maternal-assisted Caesarean at University Hospital Wishaw marks a significant development in offering women more control and participation in surgical births, particularly for those who have experienced previous birth trauma.
