Freaking out over c-section tomo

[HP2020]

Posting here for traffic mainly as I hear it's very busy. I'm a new member also

So I just need somewhere to let my thoughts out. I have a planned c section tomo and I'm freaking out Altho not dare why entirely as I've had one before. Well with my first son I had an emergency section and this is my second child and I also chose a c section as never wanted a vagina birth

But then covid happened and I'm not allowed to have my hubby on the Ward with me. He can attend the birth and recovery but after I go to the ward he's only slowed at visiting hours. My toddler son isn't allowed at all so I will miss him terribly even tho I know he's in safe hands with hubby and families helping out

With my first my hubby was able to help out lots with nappy changes and feeding etc as he stayed overnight with me the entire time but obviously not allowed now. That was such a great help as it's tricky getting round after a big operation so was great to have help. I guess I'm just worried in case I'm ringing my bell for a nurse and they are too busy to come and my baby is crying but I can't get out of bed!! I dunno I just feel overwhelmed

This baby was planned and I'm super excited to meet him but now it feels so real I'm a bag of nerves

Hugs. I've had 2 planned sections. Both went really well, straightforward & stress free. I was up & about quite quickly after recovery. I certainly could see to the baby when they needed me. Home after 1 day/night in hospital.

An emergency section is very different so I'm sure the recovery is harder (haven't had one but know others that have & quite often they have stress in top)

You'll be fine, honest. I believe emergency C Sections are meant to be a lot harder on your body, you're going into this one fresh and rested. They'll try to send you home within a day. I had an elective section a few years ago, my mobility was hampered by a broken leg too but I managed to lift, feed and change my baby fine (very strict visiting hours even then) so I'm sure you will too. Good luck and congratulations

Thank u. Glad to read 2 positive replies

Hey- it's ok! A planned section is so, so different from emcs, world's apart. My second was by planned, after a godawful emergency first time round, and I cannot emphasise what a positive experience it was. The healing was so much faster too, and emotionally was ten times better because of the lack of trauma involved.
Everything was as good as it could be.

I know it will be hard without DH, but every one there will look after you, and you'll be home as soon as is safe

Good luck, and here's to meeting your new baby tomorrow!

Also, you won't be exhausted from having gone through labour this time. Trust me- makes a huge difference!

I imagine emergency sections are much more stressful and harder on your body - I had an elective one and felt much less exhausted than after previous vaginal births.
You’re most likely be home the next day and if OH can stay for visiting hours, it’ll just be the night to get through and midwives will help if needed.
If your hospital does enhanced recovery, you’ll be up and moving about as soon as your spinal wears off and they will help you position the cot (and the little table with water and snacks etc) where you can get to her easily.
Congratulations :)

I feel the same. I have my second planned in 2.5 weeks and have had an EMCS too.

Yes the planned is loads better. You're not as tired and recovery is better etc.

But it's more the covid restrictions I worry about. DH has to go an hour after I'm out theatre and visiting is one hour a day. I've been told that they are getting you out after 24 hours as they don't want people to stay in but they're not giving any strong pain relief to go home with. I'm allergic to ibuprofen so it'll just be paracetamol.

In my previous experiences I really relied on visitors to help me as midwives are too busy. So I'll either have to decide to endure that or endure pain at home. Wish they would just give you stronger pain relief to take home given the circumstances we are in!!! I'm also gutted my DDs can't come visit too.

I had emcs with my 1st and the recovery was diabolical. It's much harder on your body.
I had planned section 2nd time and it was much easier recovery etc. There were limited visiting hours so I was on my own on the ward for over 15 hours overnight and the staff were amazing despite being busy. I was far more mobile and was actually asking for my catheter out. Myself and 2 other had csec and both of them were discharged by lunchtime the next day. I was discharged by 6pm and that was with me passing massive clots so needing a check and my dd having to be checked twice by scbu due to concerns about her heart (I have heart conditions but she has ended up being fine!) All going well you'll be discharged 24 hours after surgery. I can imagine it being overwhelming not having your partner there but honestly the staff will be there to support you especially atm. I found keeping my table right next to the bed within reach a godsend, and kept LO crib right next to me as well made it easier to get her in and out without needing to call someone all the time.

@ChipsAreLife my visiting hours are quite good it's 2-4 then 6-8 so that's pretty decent

They said they will keep me in 1 or 2 nights but when I mentioned how much I will miss my toddler they said well obviously if ur ok u can go earlier. So I don't think I will be rushed out

I had an elective c section six weeks ago after an emergency section on my first. It was fine! And that was with a few complications due to a big baby in an awkward position (which I knew beforehand).

Obviously every hospital will have their own rules with covid, but DH was allowed wait with me in the morning and then left when I was taken from recovery to the ward. He was allowed visit the ward for an hour a day. My section was in the morning so he got back in that afternoon which was lovely, and we managed to book the first slot in the morning the day I was discharged so he helped pack up all my stuff.

I was nervous about coping on the ward, and it was obviously harder than if he'd been there, but it was fine. The staff were fantastic and were happy to get her in and out of the cot, change nappies etc until i was feeling ready. They were also perfectly happy to rummage in my bags for snacks, babygros, pads etc. I guess it'll vary hospital to hospital depending on staffing. Are you on any local FB groups you could ask about your hospital?

I was offered to stay one night or two. Most chose one night, I chose two because I struggled on night two with my first and it worked better logistically with DC1 and childcare etc.

Of course your nervous. I've had 4 and funny on my 3rd I was totally freaking, nearly ran off. But you will feel much more confident on your 2nd than an EMCS. I was paranoid about moving at all on 1st, 2nd I knew nothing was about to burst open or send searimg pains through me. My 4th I did everything myself (bug outbreak) got baby to feed, filled in the notes, got up for a walk a few hours later. I just rang nurses for the drugs

This is the worst time for thinking. You'll be grand, it's fabulous

Awwww OP just had to reply. Please do not worry.
My first DC I had a terrible vaginal birth, everything that could go wrong did, to the point I kept putting off having a second child, turns out due to my first birth they said straight for a c section this time and oh my gosh I am so glad I did! It was an amazing experience.

Like you I was nervous, but honestly it was absolutely fine. The nurses played Ed Sheeran in the background while I chatted away, I felt a little bit sick on and off, you can feel something going on but absolutely no pain. Within a few minutes baby was raised above screen and it was done. Stitching up was fine too, I was too busy enjoying my baby cuddles.

afterwards you do feel extremely stiff in the stomach area and it’s weird to walk when your abdomen area feels tight, but compared to my vaginal birth it was a walk in the park. I had my c section at 11am on the Tuesday and was discharged at 12pm on the Wednesday! So you can be allowed home quickly.

All the best for tomorrow, I promise you will be fine xx

Forgot to add that was my planned section experience, not an EMCS, notice you’ve had an EMCS so the experience will be different but much better!!

@HP2020 ah that's good on visiting hours. Our hospital is being very strict which I understand, I'm just worried about help. I get very sick from the spinal despite anti sickness medicine and it lasts for hours after so I'm worried how I'll manage.

@MindyStClaire that's really good to hear. I'm so pleased it went well for you. I've actually put everything in ziplock bags and labelled to help them locate things! Were you allowed to have things dropped off to you?

I'm sure you will be fine. I managed just about to get up after an abdominoplasty and extensive muscle repair. C sections are nowhere near as invasive or painful. Never heard of partners being allowed to stay over night to help with baby even under normal circumstances. Mine was sent home when I had dd a few years ago.

In fairness mine didn't stay overnight was allowed to be there most of the day. I guess at least I get an hour where I can have a shower etc. I'm happy to go home after 24 hours just worried about pain relief and it'll be a Saturday so couldn't even get anything from GP till the Monday. Will ask in my pre op!

I had an emergency for my first and planned for my second and it was night and day. The first was extremely stressful and emotional and the second was amazing.

My husband wasn't allowed to be in the operating room with me either because that's what's normal here, but I promise it was a completely different experience to the first. With my son I felt out of it for ages and was absolutely shattered from labour and the stress of having to agree to an emergency c section after planning for an all natural birth. With my daughter it was actually a great experience. I had significantly less pain throughout, I was chatting to the doctors and when they started they told me I'd be meeting my baby in under ten minutes. It was brilliant. Also, I was even able to move myself from one bed to another after only an hour.

You're going to be fine, I'm sure.

Also.... Congratulations!

You've had lots of positive responses so hopefully are feeling a bit better now. The biggest thing I can say is that when you are home be very careful not to lift your toddler or do too much. I fell foul of that because mine just expected me to do what I always had and I just did it automatically. Made my recovery a lot longer so really just be prepared to sit and give lots of cuddles. Good luck and it will all be worth it!

Just another voice here to reassure you that a planned c-section is so different from an emergency one. Mine was calm and stress-free (although I’d been really anxious about it beforehand, like you) and the recovery wasn’t bad at all.
Good luck and think about the lovely prize you get at the end of it!

I had an EMCS during Covid and it was all absolutely fine, honestly

The midwives were beyond helpful, they know how much help women need and at no point was my baby left crying, they came and did nappy changes and everything. I was discharged about 24 hours later.

Good luck! It will be fine!

ChipsAreLife I don't know if it was possible to get anything dropped off - I had everything in my bag anyway, and anything else DH could've brought to visiting.

Same as everyone else! I loved my c section and the midwives were so helpful. It'll all be fine!

I had an emcs 3 years ago and a VBAC two weeks ago (it was a planned c section but baby turned up early). With hardly any visitors on post natal the staff had so much more time to look after us and it was actually really nice on post natal. I got lots of help this time after a VBAC whereas last time it was so busy I got no help despite the c section.

I had a planned CS a few weeks ago. The midwives etc were great on the ward - they’re all very aware that women don’t have help at the moment, so they were really on top of helping. I could have been discharged at about 20 hours, but asked to stay a second night to get feeding established and they were supportive of that too.

I had a planned section in the morning and I was out and home by the evening of the next day. They want you up and out of bed as soon as the spinal wears off and as long as all checks are complete on baby they are happy to let you home. Second baby too means you aren't hearing all the guidance for the first time. Good luck.