when does an elective C-sec take place? Plus how does a spinal block feel?

[ameliesmumvic]

I'm hoping for an elective c-sec the second time round but havent got a consultants appointment til 29 weeks(am 15 weeks now). When do they normally do these? Would like to plan ahead...

Previous labour was a nightmare - Baby never dropped into place at all, waters were found to have broken up to 2 weeks before induction. 24 hours of pain, 12 hours of induction, got to 3 cm's! Finally had emergency C-Sec but under epidural which even being topped up didnt really work. I felt the whole thing and was throwing up on the operating table. What does a spinal block feel like - will I have a repeat performance because am v.v.scared about it!But also dont want to go thru that labour again - was exhausted before I started with baby!

[expatinscotland]

well, i can't speak for csection but i have had a spinal block.

they give you one injection to numb the area then do the spinal.

it is FAST.

like one moment you can move, the next you can't feel a thing from about the waist down.

when it started to wear off, my legs were on pins nad needles.

[JulesJules]

I was told that they don't like to do them until you are 39 weeks, but mine was actually at 38+6 - it is just how the dates fell. This was booked at my 36wk appt at the antenatal clinic in the hospital, saw the consultant and got sent to reception to get the date. It felt really weird to have the date my baby was going to be born written on a piece of paper! I had to go in 2 days before for all the booking in stuff - bloods, consents, BP etc which took a couple of hours and I also saw a consultant obstetric anaesthetist. They arranged this for me as I had had a lot of problems with previous epidurals being difficult to site and then not really working (like you). She was very reassuring, (although they did still have a few probs with siting when it came to it!) I would recommend that you ask to see an anaesthetist in view of your previous experience.

Once you are booked in for an elective, if you go into labour naturally before that date, you will still get the cs but it will be classed as an emergency, although a real emergency cs would take priority over you.

I actually had a combined epidural/spinal. This acted much faster than just an epidural. (Once they had got the thing in!) It feels like icy cold water running down your back and legs - on the inside - and you have to then quickly swing your legs up on the table.

The atmosphere in the theatre was calm and friendly, the staff were lovely. It's a completely different thing to an emergency cs. I would recommend that you see an anaesthetist beforehand, and also go on a cs hosp tour if your hosp does it, it was really helpful to be shown round theatres and recovery etc etc and have everything explained. Good luck!

[NellyTheElephant]

I've had an emergency and an elective and the elective was SO much better, a wonderful experience. I had combined spinal / epidural for the elective (like Jules describes). It worked v quickly, although obvioulsy you can't help being a bit nervous about whether it's worked properly, they spend ages reassuring you and spraying you with cold water until you are CERTAIN you can't feel it any more! You are still aware of some touch throughout the operation - an odd sensation but not painful. I had mine at 39 +1 and it was booked about 2 months in advance.

[mully]

hi i had my first but elective c-section after being 40+2 finding out she was breech and a big girl so i thought no way and was bookind in for the next day, i am hoping to have this one by c-section and have my first consultant appointment on the 16th sept at 12 weeks hes also going to do my scan i found the whole thing positive it was calm i was bricking it at the thought of a spinal block to the point i was held down by two nurses because i was shaking so much and i couldnt contorl it as for the sensation i was sure it wasnt working but it was as one of the sugons proved by grabing a handful of skin and twisting it it was quick and pain less and my recovery after was quick i was out of hospital in 2 days the next morning i was showering by myself at 6 am and didnt feel like i had been through anything two people i know one was emergency one was that the labour didnt progress and chose to have a section after previous one anyway and they were both in a terrible state and i put it down to that the body was in labour and not relaxed i was off all pain killers after 4 days and still say i didnt feel like i had an operation at all so my feelings are go for it just talk to all the medical people you need to and tell them your experience and im sure they will help

[mully]

hi i had my first but elective c-section after being 40+2 finding out she was breech and a big girl so i thought no way and was bookind in for the next day, i am hoping to have this one by c-section and have my first consultant appointment on the 16th sept at 12 weeks hes also going to do my scan i found the whole thing positive it was calm i was bricking it at the thought of a spinal block to the point i was held down by two nurses because i was shaking so much and i couldnt contorl it as for the sensation i was sure it wasnt working but it was as one of the sugons proved by grabing a handful of skin and twisting it it was quick and pain less and my recovery after was quick i was out of hospital in 2 days the next morning i was showering by myself at 6 am and didnt feel like i had been through anything two people i know one was emergency one was that the labour didnt progress and chose to have a section after previous one anyway and they were both in a terrible state and i put it down to that the body was in labour and not relaxed i was off all pain killers after 4 days and still say i didnt feel like i had an operation at all so my feelings are go for it just talk to all the medical people you need to and tell them your experience and im sure they will help

[mully]

hi i had my first but elective c-section after being 40+2 finding out she was breech and a big girl so i thought no way and was bookind in for the next day, i am hoping to have this one by c-section and have my first consultant appointment on the 16th sept at 12 weeks hes also going to do my scan i found the whole thing positive it was calm i was bricking it at the thought of a spinal block to the point i was held down by two nurses because i was shaking so much and i couldnt contorl it as for the sensation i was sure it wasnt working but it was as one of the sugons proved by grabing a handful of skin and twisting it it was quick and pain less and my recovery after was quick i was out of hospital in 2 days the next morning i was showering by myself at 6 am and didnt feel like i had been through anything two people i know one was emergency one was that the labour didnt progress and chose to have a section after previous one anyway and they were both in a terrible state and i put it down to that the body was in labour and not relaxed i was off all pain killers after 4 days and still say i didnt feel like i had an operation at all so my feelings are go for it just talk to all the medical people you need to and tell them your experience and im sure they will help

[sunshine185]

so sorry you had such a rough first birth experience amelie, i don't blame you wanted to go down the elective route this time.

i had an elective cs with ds at 39 weeks, very civilized affair indeed even though i was bricking it at the spinal block stage too!! but it was fine, don't worry, i didn't feel a thing during the cs. but have to admit the recovery hurt a bit, but that was prob just me and my incredibly low pain thresh hold!!

i arrived at 7am, had ds at 9.44am spent 2 nights (with the overworked mafia midwives )!! and was discharged most willingly that at 2pm with a 2.5 day old!!

having another elective cs with ds2, have not seen my consultant yet and have my 28 week midwife on monday so hopefully get more info then... will make sure i get LOTS of pain relief after this time.... i'm booked in at EGA in london.

good luck, congrats and try not to worry. all will be fine...