To not know what to do? Norovirus, newborn baby and c section

Yep def you'll be one of the first. Insulin dependent, then tablet dependent then diet controlled but all diabetics will be early on the list

Honestly you'll be fine csection lists are the best, esp now as it'll be Xmas music in theatre and lots of us knit santa hats for the babies

Must be a tiny place that doesn't follow normal rules then, I've neved worked anywhere small enough to a share a emergency and elective theatre...you often get rouge behaviours in small locations (as the actions are less questioned by others who have worked elsewhere and would question it as rogue practice )

I've only ever given sedative premeds once in obs... for a csection against the mums wishes via court order.

It all transfers to baby, its a risk you'll rarely get a anaesthetist to take, as if baby comes out needing respiratory support then it is our fault and I'm not having that on my conscience, when I'm more than capable of chatting through and rationalising and tears to smiles and laughter by talking things through

Once the emergency C Sections are done, someone has to be first amongst the electives after all
True, I had twins by ELCS and we had an appointment at the hospital with the other mus booked for the same day to explain how it would go and we were told that the electives would likely either be at the very beginning or very end of the day. As we had twins we were the first to go, so I’m assuming high anxiety would mean that as all.

As for OP’s anxiety not being enough, none of us are medically equipped to assess this, but equally it’s a bit outside the range of normal maternal anxiety to have been crying continuously for days about the prospect of an elective CS, so it’s definitely worth ensuring her caregivers are aware of the extent of her distress and anxiety.

Once the emergency C Sections are done, someone has to be first amongst the electives after all…

My experience is the same as @Babyboomtastic. I’d had severe PND in the past and so was considered high risk for the next birth. I was the first elective taken down as a result and I was offered (but in the end did not take) a sedative

Not strictly true in either count, but I doubt the OPs anxiety would be enough.

Mine were maternal request sections on the grounds of tokophobia. So I guess mental health ground really, but it was labelled as maternal request.

Both times I was the first elective because of my anxiety about it. The second tube I had to wait for a labouring woman to give birth first as they weren't sure if they'd need the theatre (sleep hospital, only the one theatre for sections).

Both times I was given a slight sedative I can fully remember everything but it made me slightly chilled and fuzzy. They definitely did it as they had a doc from pediatrics there just in case it affected baby (it didn't).

For standard section nerves though they probably wouldn't do either of those.

They wanted to avoid me having a full blown meltdown on the operating table. It worked and they were wonderful births 😍.

Anxiety doesn't get you higher up the list (pretty much everyone is), it's ranked on medical urgency - the vast majority of sections are medical reasons, then breech/maternal request

No we won't give any sedative medication for anxiety. Any drugs we give get transferred to baby. Sedatives compromise baby so isn't going to hapoenb

Just call before to LW as its 50:50 which units allow under 5s but fingers crossed xx

This is rotten timing @rc1232 but take comfort from the fact you will soon be holding your beautiful new arrival.

I was going to suggest the same as @Fashionlover123 I’d get your husband and toddler to take you to hospital in the morning and then he can take the little one off to see a Christmas film, play in the park, have a hot chocolate or whatever. When they come to take you down for theatre you can call him and then he will have time to be back at the hospital to see you immediately when you come out.

Please make sure the medical team know of your acute health anxiety and that you are on your own. They won’t bump you to the top of the queue ahead of emergency C sections but they may well do you first of the electives as there will be a medical reason to do so. The anaesthetist might also give you something to relax you further in the cocktail of drugs.

On Christmas Day could you arrange to meet family for a walk in the open air? Wrap baby up warm in their stroller, take lots of hand sanitiser and be careful about kisses (hugs probably fine)?

1-2 hours? If it’s like my nhs c sections, you have to be at the hospital by 7am and you might not get your c section until 5pm. But you don’t get a time slot in advance, you have to sit and wait, possibly for up to 10 hours, until it’s your turn.

I can’t see that taking the toddler to the hospital or arranging 2 hours childcare is remotely helpful, if anything it sounds more stressful.

Also it’s a weekday - most friends and family might be at work. And Tuesday is 48 hours away, very short notice to register with a one off babysitter.

I’d go it alone in these circumstances.

When I had my first ten years ago they said 3 days was the advised period but they said as long as everything is ok 48 hours is fine.
Then when I had my second 5 years ago it had changed thank god and they send you home the next day. Unless you had problems of course!
I couldn’t have gone home the same day though I didn’t even get out of bed until the next morning. Benefit of a catheter!

@Destiny123 our local policy was 48hours when I had DS but they do the well baby check around 12-24hours. DS had his well baby check at 6pm (born 3am) and I discharged myself leaving around 9pm. The ward was understaffed so I would have had to look after DS as DH would have been forced to leave at 8pm vs going home to bed with DH to look after us both.

OP it's your decision I would leave little one with the family (preferably who had it 1st) and risk getting it later on vs not having DH at the birth. You will get over noro even if it's painful but you would always have the memory of him not being there to witness the birth.

Definitely wouldn't being missing Xmas unless your going to isolate from everyone as it's doing the rounds regardless

I would see if a friend could come to the section with you.

I've had two c-sections and they were both good experiences - calm and the staff were lovely. I know how you are feeling about prospect of doing it on your own as I was almost in this situation as DH was working abroad and was almost too late for birth due to bad weather disrupting travel. You will be fine if you have to be alone but suggestion of DH and toddler waiting with you before op and being there after in recovery room, or even on ward, sounds great to me.

The op won't take that long, and DH and toddler being there to meet new baby when you get out of theatre will give you something very positive to focus on. Having his help on the ward while anaesthetic wears off would also be good. To be honest, him being able to visit you with toddler and help after the birth will be far more useful to you, in my opinion, than having him there during the actual op.

I absolutely wouldn't want to risk having norovirus while you are recovering from a section. My recoveries were fine but you need to be able to take your time for a bit getting to the loo and vomiting with a section wound is best avoided. DH and toddler need to avoid risk of catching it as much as possible too.

As for Christmas and your birthday, such a shame but you can always have a special family celebration once the norovirus quarantine period is up. My DD was born two months premature on 23rd December so I spent an unexpected Christmas in hospital after being full of plans and preparations for family coming to spend Christmas with us. It wasn't what was planned or what I would have chosen but it all worked out and we had a special celebration with family and friends when she got home after 8 weeks which is still a very happy memory.

You can do this! Find a way to make it work for you, and to make it a special time for you and your family. Sending positive vibes.

I've had 3 c sections & honestly it's nothing to be worried about. Yes it would be better if your dh was there, but you will be absolutely fine on your own.

The midwives are really helpful on the ward when you've had a c section so you won't be on your own (& likely baby will be pretty sleepy for the first few days too making it easier for you to recover).

Do come back and tell us when baby is born.

My daughter and son in law both got Covid three days after their baby was born. Not ideal, but all forgotten now.

What a brilliant idea!

I’m a midwife and would suggest bringing your toddler in with your husband, when you go in for the c section husband and toddler wait in your recovery room for you. Then they are with you right up to when you go in and straight after-c section takes about an hour xxx

A qualified nanny from an agency is a stranger but I think the risk of something happening is very very small. I have had to book “strangers” before and they have all been beyond lovely. Obviously used a vetted agency, check references and set clear rules. One lady is by far the best childcare professional I have ever met and my toddler adored her and laughed non stop.

For me, this is a situation where I would absolutely want DH around, and would ask around everywhere (other mums etc) and call every childminder to make sure Dh doesn’t miss the birth. even ask relatives who live a distance away and might be happy to travel a few hours to help.

My local vicar (a woman) has also watched children before in those situations.

Is it possible that the second lot of family members caught it from somewhere else?

Could first ill family member look after your child but take heavy precautions - wear a mask, open windows, take to park, wash hands, sanitise everything. You could prepare child’s food before you go etc. DH drop you off at hospital and then he comes to you just in time for section limiting amount of time family member is with your child?

Haha that's quite common among men, hence I much prefer female birthing partners. The repeated "there there baby, its OK baby" drives me mad when putting in epidurals, like you're driving me screwy with the patronising comments let alone me not being the one having contractions

Or the ones that are determined to get a definite answer on a baby name when the lady is puking her guts up. N just don't stop asking till me and the midwife tell them this isn't the Time

Or those that dont sit down when we tell them they're about to faint, as "I'm not going to faint". Followed by imminently fainting and then giving us 2 patients to look after

Haha men! Much prefer the lady birthing partners

I've had 2 sections. One alone and one with partner.

Honestly the one alone was much better. Better care, everyone in the surgery was far more attentive and kind to me. They were defo more on the ball with me being alone. They acted like family to me and I will be forever grateful for their kindness.