Suddenly freaking out about ELCS on friday!

[DownstairsMixUp]

I have been pretty relaxed since I found out my c-section date but now the date is here, I am totally freaking out! I'm due to have section on 29th of august (this friday) so anyone want to share some positive, lovely stories to calm me down?

Also anything REALLY helpful that you packed that I might not have thought of for post section?

Lovely stories & tips please share here to calm this heavily pregnant worrier down!

[DearDinah]

Wishing you all the best, I'm sorry I've no advice my ELCS is on Monday 1st so feeling pretty much the same! People keep telling me it's a very relaxed calm experience, so I'm holding onto that! X

[DownstairsMixUp]

Thanks Dear yes I've heard that, seems that ELCS have better feedback in general than EMCS's so I've also been clinging onto that! I will update here after I've had him, depending on how mobile internet is in the post natal ward! Just can't shake the butterfly feeling in my stomach and think it feels more 'real' know as been packing up my little boy's suitcase for him to go stay with my Mum and Dad!

[WidowWadman]

You'll be fine. I had one EMCS and one ELCS and felt safe and comfortable during both. The team talked me through what they were doing, when my blood pressure sank a bit they brought it up with an injection (into existing port) swiftly. My husband looked after the baby whilst they stitched (stapled) me up and I had her latched on withing 40 minutes of being born. Shower independently the next morning and back home after less than 48 hours.

[DownstairsMixUp]

Lovely widow more stories like that please! I've got a pre clerking thingy on Wednesday, assuming they weigh me and things like that then? How long were the stitches in for if you don't mind me asking?

[SASASI]

I had mine a week past on Saturday & was a very positive experience.
My tips would be :

• local anaesthetic before cannula inserted
  
• catheter inserted after spinal
  
• dissolvable stitches
  
• take your own pads with wings for the lochia after - my hospital pads didn't have wings & didn't stay on
  
• get up & move as soon as staff tell you to - def pull yourself upright
  

I asked for radio to be on as a distraction & asked the staff to chat to me too.

Pre-op assessment was fine - bloods, blood pressure, weight, dry shave (I wasn't allowed to wax or anything myself before hand). Also they will show you how to self - administer anti clotting injections - one the day before & then the next 4 days. While you are in hospital they will do the injections for you.
I had my c -section for anxiety reasons & was prescribed diazapam for the night before - if your nerves get the better of you it might be worth a try.
Gd luck!!

[Kewrious]

It will be fine. Take something for gas. Take your painkillers. No medals for enduring agony after surgery. Put a pad over your wound. Helps with walking, sneezing etc. Ask for skin to skin in theatre. And you can get washable mesh pants. I wore a pad over the wound. Then the mesh pants and then granny knickers for the first ten days or so. Good luck! Mine was great and I have v fond memories of it.

[magpiegin]

I have a section booked on the 2nd September but have now had a show so hoping that she hangs on as I don't want an emcs. Obviously worrying about every twinge and pain at the moment.

[DownstairsMixUp]

Thanks guys! So is there not much point me shaving there then? I do anyway (been using a mirror in late pregnancy as can't see ) I used to work in hospitals so know they use them bloody horrible bic razors! I've got some pads with wings from asda, the rest don't have wings so I'll maybe use the wingles ones for over wound and stick with the wing ones for knickers for a while. What pain relief was you given?? Codeine makes me really bunged up (sorry if tmi) but it does generally work i suppose. Do I do the first injection the night before surgery then? I assume it's clexane. I used to adminster them on patients but seems different doing it to yourself!

magpie have you rung your hospital to tell them? Might be worth doing so but show can sometimes still mean weeks till labour starts anyway just to put your mind at ease x

[magpiegin]

Yes I called them, need to call back if any other signs of labour start. I'm hoping that they won't! Luckily we're only 10 minutes from the hospital if things kick off.

[NeedaDiscoNap]

Massive pants that go right up over your tummy, and comfy jersey pyjamas/loungewear that come right up too - my mum bought me some from M&S after my c-section and they were brilliant as the fabric was so soft so didn't irritate my tummy/scar, and it felt like I was being 'held in'.

I second moving around ASAP. It feels like hell at the time but I'm convinced that's why I recovered so quickly.

Best wishes OP!

[DownstairsMixUp]

mag fingers crossed baby holds out for you!

Thanks need I've bought a few maxi dresses and plan on wearing huge knickers underneath! I have a c section belt from mother care to. Anyone used that?

[nearlyreadytopop]

Great thread downstairs. I was meant to have mine tomorrow but hospital have overbooked so im in on Wed. Spent most of today in a state of worry. I thought I would be really excited but instead am pretty terrified.

[DownstairsMixUp]

Oh wow good luck nearly wednesday is my pre clerking so you'll be having your baby while I'm getting all prepared! Yes I thought I'd be excited now and of course I am (to see baby) but my nerves are getting the better of me to! More about the recovery than the actual surgery as when I get out it's my other son's birthday and he starts school so feel like it's just a lot of change happening!

[nearlyreadytopop]

Yes Downstairs the recovery is definitly a worry. My ds also starts pre school at the end of Sept so its going to be an intresting time for us!
I have been given some info to read and a drink to take on the way into hospital. All bloods and checks will be done on Wed morning. Ive also been told not to shave, apparently its an infection risk.

[nearlyreadytopop]

Intrested in the c section belt from mothercare? is it for support afterwards?

[satsumagirl]

I had a ELCS twice as both babies were in the wrong position. Fortunately this was spotted before labour started with both.

I had good experiences both times and would do it again no problem (although after managing a 3 year old and a 1 year old not planning any more kids!) I honestly am very happy with both births. OP- you will be absolutely fine! Please don't worry and just enjoy your baby

[DownstairsMixUp]

nearly right I won't shave the night before then! The belt was 20 you can put different insets in it like a cooling pad or a warm one to help soothe and it's meant to help you feel safe against knocks like for me my son is just at that height when he cuddles me so hoping that makes me feel a little more secure? Really hope yours is all lovely and straight forward!

Thanks satsuma It's great hearing positive experiences! I cannot wait to meet him. Will be the completion of our family :-)

[dontevenblink]

Good luck to everyone with sections booked over the next week! Mine is booked for next week, 3rd Sept, is my second section, 4th baby My first section was really relaxed and actually quite an enjoyable experience, I had skin to skin quickly, ds2 also breastfed almost straight away! I'm still nervous about next week, as any type of birth is a bit scary, but I think a lot of that is to do with not feeling ready for the baby yet and worrying if baby will be ok...

Had my pre-op app yesterday, weighed me, checked iron levels, went through procedure for the day and anaesthetist went through spinal. Everyone was really nice which helped. I'm in NZ, not UK so it's a bit different here, but I have to shave myself a couple of days before and have ritadin (sp?) to take night before and in morn of op.

[DownstairsMixUp]

Hi don't the 3rd of september is a lovely date (it's my son's 5th birthday ) hope yours all goes well to. Glad you had such a good experience, that must make it a little easier for you? I don't intend on having anymore children so I am hoping this time it's a happier experience as the birth with DS1 was a bit traumatic!

Keep the stories coming!

[DearDinah]

My midwife told

[DearDinah]

Sorry, stupid phone. My midwife told me to shave myself, I don't have my pre op till Friday will they just tell me then what to do, do you think?

[dontevenblink]

Happy birthday to your son for next week downstairs !

I had two traumatic births before my last C-section and I think that was one of the things that made the section such a nice experience, I couldn't even hold dc1 after her birth, whereas I got lots of cuddles this time and I was aware of everything that was happening, everyone tells you what they are doing etc., so hopefully you'll have a much better birth experience to remember this time :)

DearDinah tmi, but I've shaved myself already (that was fun ) and my hospital said to do it again a couple of days before to prevent any scratches which is apparently where the risk of infection comes from. Not in the UK though, so your hospital might well have a different policy, I'm guessing they'll tell you on Friday. Mine gave me a leaflet about what will happen on the day, including shaving and having a shower on the day. I've just got to wait for a phone call now to tell me what no. I am on the list, apparently if I'm no.1 I could be out of theatre by 9am

Oh and its Raniditine tablets I have to take pre-op, not whatever weird spelling I put earlier!!

[DownstairsMixUp]

dear yes I think the pre op thing is running through everything. I've got mine tomorrow so can report back what happens?

Thank you don't he is very excited about bring five and getting a brother that would be lovely if your first. I'm hoping I am bbut bet I'm not so have downloaded loads of sons of anarchy to keep me entertained.

[DownstairsMixUp]

Also had another dream last night! Not sleeping well at the moment! I had a PPH with my first ds and lost nearly 2 litres of blood, do you think they'll have blood on stand by because of my history?? I'm having irrational fears of dying (I know that's mad as they do this op every day!)

[Kewrious]

They will always have blood on stand by anyway. It will be a much more controlled environment so it will be fine. I had a v high risk of PPH during my section so the anaesthetist explained that he had put in an extra cannula. It wasn't needed though. It is a v calm and professional environment and even if you do lose blood they will just give you some immediately.