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West Lothian Mother Assists Her Own C-Section at Wishaw in Birth Believed to Be Scotland’s First

NHS Lanarkshire planned a maternal-assisted procedure with a full simulation to deliver care tailored to her trauma history.

Overview

  • Dr Leila El Alti scrubbed in, wore a surgical gown and gloves, and lifted daughter Aurora onto her chest for immediate skin-to-skin contact.
  • The lead obstetrician delivered Aurora’s head and shoulders before El Alti completed the birth by lifting her baby.
  • Clinicians adapted an existing gentle C-section policy after extensive discussions that included input from an English practitioner familiar with the approach.
  • El Alti reported no complications and a smoother recovery, with discharge the next day and Aurora now healthy at 10 months old.
  • NHS Lanarkshire’s executive nurse director praised the person-centred care after El Alti described the case to the health board this week.