Cat 3 EMCS - experiences and questions to ask

Oh another tip, I got some disposable pants ( they were Tena Pro skin super night pants off Amazon) and wore them for the first week or so, SO comfortable. Also before you go home from the hospital, get a couple of extra pairs of the anti-embolic stockings so you can wash them.

Another thing I found comfortable was putting a sanitary towel inside your pants sitting against your wound (with the sticky side sticking to the pants) I found it just made me feel a bit more cushioned once the dressing was off!

I wouldn't count on the baby direct to chest, I've seen it allowred once in 8 years of obs. And noone goes home with oromorph (International pain consensus guidelines

Obs anaesthetist. Cat3s are pretty much the same as electives.

Everyone gets delayed cord clamping as routine (unless baby is very unhappy which is rare, and super super rare in cat3/4), everyone gets skin on skin (again less baby is unwell or you don't feel up to it, then your partner can do it instead). Bring your own music most labour ward theatres have Bluetooth speakers now

But generally all very cheesy and cute, try not to worry xx

Completely agree on the pain relief. I asked for, and was given, Oramorph both the days I was in hospital. I was also sent home with a week’s supply of dihydrocodeine, which I took all of on top of ibuprofen and paracetamol. I carried on with ibuprofen and paracetamol for a few weeks after. As the PP said, that was really helpful with mobilising and I had very good recoveries.
laxatives - do make sure you take them. I am naturally prone to constipation anyway, so I asked for and was prescribed senna tablets on top of the usual Lactulose. That was really helpful and made life very easy.

Do pack a pillow if you can, it’s so helpful for putting it between the scar and the seatbelt on the way back home.

Use plain water only on the scar and keep it as dry as possible. I used to use a clean maternity pad to dry it throughly after showering, and I would lie down on the bed for a few minutes to air it. I wore dresses and mesh pants as much as possible to let it air.

Very best of luck. I had a very difficult vaginal birth followed by two elective c sections and the sections, including the recoveries were so so much better. I really wish I hadn’t been so nervous before the first section and enjoyed the moment more. I was completely calm before the second.

Best of luck for tomorrow, so sorry you’re finding being on the ward triggering and hope you’re first on the list in the morning and cuddling your baby very soon!

I had a really beautiful elective section experience a couple of years ago. I also asked for skin to skin and delayed cord clamping and baby was passed straight to my chest and the drapes lowered so I could see her being born, so worth discussing if you’d like that too. I also was offered to choose music so if there’s a particular playlist that will help you I’d really recommend asking.

Make sure your birth partner brings their phone or camera in to take photos if you’d like those. Afterwards id really advise keeping on top of the pain relief, they can be quite stingy in hospital and when you’re discharged home, but I asked to take home oramorph and also got some diclofenac prescribed privately from an online pharmacy and they really helped me remain mobile during my recovery which really helped my mental health too.

Can’t think of anything else except to say you’ve got this and best of luck and enjoy all the newborn snuggles ❤️