elective c-section

[eastmidlandsnightnanny]

I will be having one due to medical reasons and wondered if people culd tell me their experiences please.

what was it like? - will be having spinal block

how long was recovery?

etc etc

[kcoffin27]

Hi I am having an elective also due to medical reasons, and have had 2 sections before. Both were done under a general as the epidural didnt work the first time for me. The recovery time is different for each person and circumstances such as with the first it was about 2 days before I could walk about, and with the second it took longer as I got an infection. This time im hoping for it to be done under a general again as I don't want to try the epidural agin for it not to work

I dont want to frighten you with my story, which is why I say its different for each person. My sister had 4 sections with no problems at all and all done with an epidural. Guess im just one of the unlucky ones

After the section you are not allowed to drive for 6 weeks. or lift anything heavier than your baby.

I am booked in for my section on the 28th july

[cbmum]

I had ECS with DD, also for medical reasons, and it went really well. The most odd part was having the spinal block put in, being wheeled into the operating theatre and when they sprayed the cold spray on my tummy asking could I feel it (I could!), then 30 seconds later being asked again and by then I felt nothing. They wasted NO time in starting the operation.

I had 2 nights in hospital. The 1 thing I wish I had known was that you need to press your buzzer and not try to cope. Over the first 24 hours you might still be tied up wires, cathetars etc and it makes it difficult to get baby in and out of their cot.

Also, take in lots of drinks and snacks that can be left where you can reach them without having to go too far once your other half goes at the end of the day as it makes life easier.

It depends on how big our hospital is but I'd also suggest taking in ear plugs or an i-pod to block of the noise of everyone else coming and going.

Oh, and the other plus was that I looked far better in my post birth photos that friends who had been through a long labour. You get to wash your hair the night before and look semi ok once on recovery ward!

I took all of the drugs on offer and was glad I did. I was given drugs to take home for 2 weeks and by the time I had finished them I didn't need any other pain killers. The first few days at home you walk a bit funny but that soon gets better and after 2 weeks I was happy to walk the mile into town with DD in her buggy. By week 4 I was nearly back to normal speed.

Basically, do as you're told by the medial people, don't be overly ambitious and you'll be fine.

[Meglet]

I've had an em cs and a planned cs. The spinal block is fine. They get you hooked up to the monitors first (blood pressure and needle thingy in your hand in case of IV drip IIRC) then you sit on the edge of the operating table and have to lean forwards, they give you a little jab in the back (or it might be a spray) with local anaesthetic then after a moment put the spinal block in. Doesn't hurt but does feel weird as you are aware it's going in your back . They they get you to lie down and after a few moments you go numb from the waist down, rather weird but fun feeling IME.

Recovery after my planned cs was fairly easy. I had voltarol and paracetamol in hospital for 3 days (compared to 5 days of morphine after my em cs) and stopped the paracetamol after 10 days. But I was a total diva and did bugger all except feed DD, even got the midwives to do her nappies for the first 36 hours. Don't be scared about buzzing for help, if they get huffy with you just don't take any nonsense and insist they help you. Second time around I didn't take any crap .

Ate ready meals and delivery pizza at home so I didn't have to shop / cook / tidy up etc. Worth it though as I felt much better letting my body recover properly. Back at the gym at 12 weeks with no problems.

[scoobydoolady]

Has 3 cs's, 1 em & 2 elective.

The advice here is excellent as usual - press your buzzer, take you time in hospital ( 3 days minimum, 5 days ideal) and take 6 weeks at home to recover. Get in plenty of favourite DVD's, films, watch crap on the tele and eat nice food.

Enjoy your baby, sleep when it sleeps and let everyone else run around after you AND don't worry about house work.

Also check with your Insurance company about driving.

After 6 weeks everything gets back to normal as long as you've rested.

Ooo happy days - wish it was me again.

lots of love & kissess

Scooby

[scoobydoolady]

Has 3 cs's, 1 em & 2 elective.

The advice here is excellent as usual - press your buzzer, take you time in hospital ( 3 days minimum, 5 days ideal) and take 6 weeks at home to recover. Get in plenty of favourite DVD's, films, watch crap on the tele and eat nice food.

Enjoy your baby, sleep when it sleeps and let everyone else run around after you AND don't worry about house work.

Also check with your Insurance company about driving.

After 6 weeks everything gets back to normal as long as you've rested.

Ooo happy days - wish it was me again.

lots of love & kissess

Scooby

[pinguina]

Had elective for DD1 and will have another one for DD2 in August.
Everything went incredibly smoothly and I can't not recommend it wholeheartedly. Stayed in hospital just two nights and when home I was 100% fine - a bit tired but nothing horrendous or unmanageable.
Relax, eat and drink well (constipation the only major issue) and enjoy your baby!

[PixieCake]

This thread is brilliant - I'm making notes!
Please keep the advice coming peeps....

[eastmidlandsnightnanny]

Thanks for all advice I am actually a qualified childrens nurse and as you can see from name a night nanny so would try and do everything for baby but will make sure I use the buzzer to its optimum.

I will have husband at home but not for full 6wks, he is going to take annual leave on the day of c-section then work whilst I am in hospital so he can maximise time off when I am home - he isnt taking paternity leave as its only stat pay of £123 a week which is pants.

I will take all painkillers on offer I cant have non-steriodals such as diclofenac and iburpfroen as allergic. codeine is great but will have to make sure I have some laxatives as well as makes you really constipated.

My bedroom at home is on 3rd floor will this be an issue? - we plan to have baby in crib in our room, there is a cot in nursery on middle floor, the on ground floor we have lounge/diner which will have moses basket. so no carry anything up/down other than baby which husband can do when he is here.