What is a maternal assisted caesarean?
A maternal assisted caesarean (MAC) is a type of caesarean section in which the mother is allowed to assist in the delivery of her baby. During a traditional caesarean section, the mother is typically under general anaesthesia or regional anaesthesia and is not able to actively participate in the birth.
However, with a MAC, the mother is able to be awake and alert during the procedure and is given the opportunity to help deliver and receive her baby. This can involve the mother reaching down and pulling the baby out of her own abdomen, with the assistance of the obstetrician and bringing the baby straight up to her chest for immediate skin to skin.
