ELCS today

[lingo1234]

Just starting a thread so I have somewhere to vent my worries. Feeling nervous and apprehensive at the thought of surgery but excited to meet my baby now.

Seeing my 4 year old off to school was so hard, I've never been away from him for more than 24 hours. I hope all goes well so I can be discharged within 1-2 days but don't know how realistic this is? He's autistic and probably wouldn't cope visiting the hospital so not sure that's a possibility if I have to stay in for a few days.

Could anybody else share their positive experiences please? 🙏🏻

Sorry no advice but good luck OP

@FortyFacedFuckers Thanks so much 🙏🏻

I’ve had 3 electives.

Last one was during covid - they chucked me out after 12 hours 😖😁

If all is okay they want you out asap. I’ve only ever stayed in for one night.

Remember, they do sections all day long, it’s a conveyor belt to them. I remember being terrified for my first one, and walking in to find the team having a laugh, one reading heat magazine in the corner. It’s nothing to them! Took away any worries I had instantly.

And remember, the baby comes out quite fast. you will not give a shit what they are doing for the rest of the surgery once you have that baby in your arms. I had all mine places on my chest as soon as they were out.

You'll be fine, mine were so relaxed. I was offered to go home after one night the second time, I stayed to make sure feeding was going well but you may well be home tomorrow.

Good luck!

I had mine at midday and was home for tea time the next day. It was a lovely calm experience and I found recovery was fairly quick and pain free. You will be fine! good luck 😊

How exciting!

2 c-sections here. Both very calm experiences, smooth recovery, no problems.

I understand your nerves, but you'll be fine x

I was home about 30 hours later - would have been earlier but I had to wait around for painkillers before I could leave. Hope you're out very speedily! I understand your nervousness but as PP said, it was a calm experience for me too

I went in one afternoon and was out the next. I'm so excited for you OP! You get to meet your beautiful baby in a few hours! Congratulations!

Good luck OP! I've had two. My first was a bit grim afterwards, my second was during Covid so I felt everyone (including me!) was more focussed on getting me out quickly.

Things that helped...
I was first on the list so the spinal block had worn of my the evening. They helped me get up and out of bed to get my legs moving again, (catheter in tow!). I was moving very gingerly, but being able to walk myself to brush my teeth, and get up to reach things rather than be bed bound until the following morning was great.

How exciting!! If you want to get out of there ASAP, and all has gone well enough for that to be an option then you need to get up and start walking as soon as the spinal has worn off. Eat something, drink something, small bits at first though as it’s easy to make yourself sick given how your insides have just been rearranged. Get the catheter out, I really had to push for this, IDK why they were reluctant, and then go for a wee, they may want you to measure it in a jug. They want to know that your bowels are working, if they offer a laxative take it especially if you’ve been prescribed coedine, but you don’t have to poop to go home, farting is fine 🤣 They probably want baby to be feeding well but mine were on formula so no issues there. Take whatever pain relief you’re offered, push for more if you need it, you’ll be up quicker if you stay ahead of the pain by takings the meds on schedule rather than waiting for it to hurt. The surgery itself was very calm, baby will be out quickly and then it’s a blur from there really while they close you up. GOOD LUCK!

Bad news already.. my hospital called to say there is no beds available and not to come in 😭 waiting on standby for a phone call now

😭 noooo just when you’ve psyched yourself up. 🤞 you get the call soon.

I really think it will be cancelled 😞

That happened to me too, I was delayed a day. I actually cried on the phone call. It sucks when you're so psyched up. The only thing I can say is once your baby is here none of it will matter!

It's awful that this can happen. I understand it's out of their control if a bed is not free but it's so unfair.

Oh no. That's really awful when you are so ready. Do you still have to not eat and drink just in case???

If it's not going to go ahead, then try and find a bright side. Take yourself out for one last peaceful coffee or lunch or walk. Or go to the cinema!

I haven't been told that I can eat or drink yet. As they just don't know if it will be today or not. I'm so mad 😭

My last section was done at 9:30pm! I was waiting for the phone call to come in all day, and then waiting at the hospital form 5pm. I was bloody starving!

Cancelled for today 😪

Sorry to hear that, at least now you know. Are you on the list for tomorrow?

If it’s rebooked for Thursday it’ll be 29th February! How very frustrating though.

No idea. The doctors are meeting later to discuss the priority of who is remaining I guess. Then they will call me with a plan

The silver lining is you were not already at the hospital! I was actually sat in the room next to the theatre for 5 hours and just kept getting bumped for emergencies.
There is a teeny positive! Good luck for when you go back in.

A leap year birthday would be very cool if they give you Thursday! Hope you get answers soon and maybe by going closer to due date you’ll be closer to top of the list when you get your date??? Fingers crossed for you!