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Childbirth

Section Alone?

17 replies

MrsFoggy · 27/04/2020 20:17

Evening all

I'm hoping someone out there has had the experience of having a c section alone in the current climate?

It's not a decision DH and I have taken lightly but we don't want our DS to go into preschool for the day, nor do we have any friends or family close enough or have sensibly socially distanced themselves so that leaves me doing it alone.

I'm actually fine with it, although sad that DH will miss out on meeting DS2 until I'm discharged...

I'm just wondering how it works? Will they hand him to me to hold while they finish up? Will I have to take him into the shower with me or will someone look after him? Help on the ward? Etc etc

My previous section was an emergency and I had DH there the whole time so I'm wondering about the logistics this time

OP posts:

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veeboo · 27/04/2020 20:20

Hi op. I havent had a c section but recently gave birth and stayed on ward where others had and no partners allowed. On ward they will support you with everything you need including lifting baby, watching baby. Anything you can't. You will have a buzzer. I observed this being done well in my hospital. Not sure about in theatre but I expect they will help you with skin to skin if thays what you would like.

SnoozyLou · 27/04/2020 23:27

Hi OP. I’m in a similar position. My parents were going to have our toddler, but they are in their 70s, my dad has diabetes, and no matter which way we looked at it, this is the only way that looked right. Plus DP would have to bugger off as soon as we were transferred to the ward anyway.

Like you Ive made my peace with it. I am sorry he’ll miss out but it just didn’t look right any other way. I just hope we’ll be able to get out ASAP. I didn’t sleep a wink all night last time and just want to get home.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 27/04/2020 23:32

Hi OP, can't comment on current situation, but I had a planned section a couple of years ago, and once DS was born and checked, he was put on me for skin to skin the whole time they finished up. DH got a quick hold while they transferred me from operating table to bed, and then he was back on me until after the first feed.

I had to buzz for help once DH had had to go home in the evening, so assume the same during the day without partners as pp has said.

Good luck!

MrsFoggy · 28/04/2020 07:36

@SnoozyLou a pair of pandemic warriors eh! We'll dine out for years on our rather dull and sensible war stories

Sounds very much like us, you've made the right decision for your family! I got out in 23 hours last time and that includes a 4 hour wait for paperwork, I'm going to attempt to break that record this time!

OP posts:

keeponrunning85 · 28/04/2020 08:36

Another one anticipating having a section alone here. I've got just over 5 weeks to go so haven't entirely given up hope yet that things might be a different.

We have no family even remotely close and any friends who would be able to help at least one of the two parents is a doctor. Next door have kindly offered but DD doesn't know them and they're in their 70s.

I don't mind the idea of the section on my own so much to be honest but I'm likely to have to be admitted for a week before and really not looking forward to not being able to have DH and DD visit

YouAndMeAndTheDevilMakesThree · 28/04/2020 11:50

Hi OP, no advice im afraid, just a bit of solidarity. Currently 37 weeks with DC2 and will likely be going it alone at the hospital due to lack of childcare for DC1 during lockdown meaning DP will miss the birth. I'm not due a c section though, so just going for a quick discharge tbh.

MindyStClaire · 28/04/2020 12:58

YouAndMeAndTheDevilMakesThree the lockdown rules allow for care of vulnerable people (ie your DC) so if you have someone who would be willing it is ok to do that.

But obviously, every family circumstance and risk profile is different.

YouAndMeAndTheDevilMakesThree · 28/04/2020 13:21

I know - all our options are too far away or vulnerable themselves / from vulnerable households

MindyStClaire · 28/04/2020 13:28

Ah yeah. We're the same, was just saying in case you had someone suitable nearby but thought it wasn't allowed.

SapphosRock · 28/04/2020 13:39

I did at the end of March and it was honestly fine. I really wanted to be home the next day and the nurses and midwives helped getting me up and about so we could get home.

I really enjoyed having 24 hours to bond with my newborn son without any distractions. You will get a lot of help with changing your baby etc as no partner to assist.

Obviously there are downsides to not having a partner with you but overall it was a really positive birth.

habibihabibi · 28/04/2020 13:48

I was really surprised how many people there are in the operating room when you have a CS.
My DH wasn't allowed to attend in Qatar but the nurses were super attentive.

MrsFoggy · 28/04/2020 16:04

@SapphosRock thank you! That's really helpful!

Did you get handed DS while still on the table? Last time they gave him straight to DH after checks as my spinal started wearing off and I wasn't doing great (bit worried that'll happen again tbf but will cross that bridge when I come to it).

Recovery was all a bit of a blur tbf, I was there for quite some hours... is there anything extra I need to take do you think? I've packed for two nights just in case as although we have one hour of visits allowed a day but he won't be able to attend those again because of the childcare situation.

OP posts:

SapphosRock · 28/04/2020 16:14

Good luck @MrsFoggy - the midwife took DS after I'd said hello to him as I was losing a lot of blood. He needed some oxygen too so it was about an hour before I was with him. That was the hardest part - I could hear him crying in recovery though so I knew he was okay. If you are well you can probably have him with you.

Remember to take lots of drinks and snacks for afterwards.

LillianFullStop · 28/04/2020 18:45

I might be in the same position if I go into labour before my ELCS date.

The plan is for my sister (also self isolating) to come and stay with DD before my scheduled date but she is about an hour away. If I happen to go into labour before my date I will have to rush in this being my second it might be quick and there won't be time to wait for her. So DH will likely have to stay with DD.

Lenny1980 · 28/04/2020 19:04

Hi, I’m a few months ahead so was fortunate to have DP there throughout. I think he maybe had a very quick hold first but then DC was handed straight to me whilst they closed. I did start to feel faint and had to get DP to take them, but there were plenty of people in theatre who would have assisted. Remember there are people there to look after you (anaesthetist in particular) and baby so you will both be closely monitored.

I second the drinks and snacks. I was sooooo hungry after due to the nil by mouth. I was EMCS the first time so hadn’t done that. Was surprised how hungry I was!

Wishing you best wishes for an uneventful surgery and a good recovery!

Mummylanie3 · 28/04/2020 20:08

I had a section a week ago today single parent the staff are amazing once baby was born I could choose if to have her on me or get checks done I told th to do checks first so they took her weighed her and what not then midwife sat at side of me with her once I was moved onto another bed she passed her me and was wheeled into recovery midwife stayed with me but they do obs every 15 mins I was then taken to the ward after 2 hour the wards are pretty empty as there sending everyone home asap but still fully staffed midwife got me settled gave me a buzzer and told me to press it if I wanted help lifting baby a drink or anything I was on the ward at 5.30 on c section was 1-2.45 at 8 pm I asked to get up so midwife helped me out of bed and walked me to end of ward I asked for catherta out and that was removed at 9 she said first 2times I went to toilet to buzz for her which I did managed to get baby fine in night without any help next morning got in shower midwife sat and watched dd and was discharged at 3pm that day the staff were fantastic there aware u have no support on the ward and always check and offer support in your stay x

MrsFoggy · 29/04/2020 06:32

@Mummylanie3 that's exactly what I needed! Thank you for sharing your experience!

My main concerns were what to do with DS2 during showers/loo trips! So I'm relieved they watch them for you!

Good luck to everyone! We've got this ladies

OP posts:

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