AIBU to feel very apprehensive about tomorrow’s elective C-section

[chillidoritto]

Currently have DD (10) DS1 (4) and DS2 (2) all of whom were straightforward natural deliveries and both boys were born at home.

I am due to have my twins by elective C-section tomorrow and I am petrified. One of the twins is breech and also due to my age I was persuaded that it was safer all round to have an elective.

I am scared of the operation but also the length of time I will be in hospital with no visitors and unable to see my other children.

Any positive stories would be gratefully listened to!!

I had an elective c section at the beginning of Feb and was apprehensive also but I can say it was all a lot of worry for nothing.

The c section itself was uncomfortable, but really easy. Our baby has cleft lip so I ended up being in hospital for 4 days. This is not usually the case from what I have been told, especially with covid they don’t want anyone in the hospital longer than they need to be.

It’s been 5 weeks since the surgery and I’m completely back to normal. The first night was uncomfortable but not painful as they keep you dosed up on painkillers. After a week I had taken myself off of all painkillers as I was only in mild discomfort. And after 2 weeks it was like it had never even happened. Just remember to keep taking your laxatives and take everything at your own pace as everyone is different. But it has been a positive experience for me!

I felt absolutely terrified when I had my second section last year. I convinced myself I would definitely die and leave my toddler without a mum. I was up most of the night before in floods of tears. Honestly I was unhinged.

I was still sobbing in hospital the morning of the section.

I was first on the list and our baby was born before 10am. It was so calm and I was absolutely fine. I did wonder why I'd wasted the night before being hysterical! Hindsight is wonderful isn't it.

My partner left 2 hours after baby was born, the midwives were so helpful as my legs were still numb and were really helpful and responsive during the time I was there.

I left the following day around 4pm.

Good luck!

Please try not to worry. You will be fine. Try to concentrate on the end result...lovely babies. With twins and any breach, I think elective c-section is frequently recommended.

I've had two and they were both fine. With my first they sent me home the following day. It was all very calm and the staff were reassuring. My second I was in an extra night, but there were no added complications. You do need to take it easy to recover and don't push yourself, it's surgery after all, but I recovered relatively swiftly from both. Not massively fit either! Every woman is different obviously, but try not to worry too much hospitals carry out c-sections every day.

I had an EMCS and honestly the actual operation was so peaceful and entirely pain free. The entire team is there to keep you and the babies safe and is run like a military operation. You can feel a bit of tugging but absolutely no pain and it’s utterly magical when they hold up the baby!

Also the recovery really is fine. I was discharged from hospital after 24 hours with paracetamol and ibuprofen and was walking up and down stairs soon after and went for a walk a week later.

Wishing you loads of luck, let us know how it goes

I had an elective C - no problem at all.

My c section fot dts was fabulous. Was first in they told me to just put on gown but it would be a while...came and got me 10 mins later. Staff in theater was funny and kept trying to convince me to name a baby after then:) put me and dh at ease I had no idea they had even started until I heard a screaming baby :) didn't hear baby2 cry at all so was just about to up panicked level when a second baby was placed on my chest . The only negative experience was someone nicked my shoes from outside the theatre door

I’ve had two emergency c sections, both been fine. First one stayed in for 4 days as had sepsis. Second one was home 24 hours after baby was born. It’s fine, the operation itself is very safe and calm. Recovery can be painful but just stay in bed as long as possible! Good luck.

I had my second by ELCS last year as he was breech and I didn’t go into labour. I was completely alone for mine.

Honestly, it was fine.

I spent a day reading magazines waiting for surgery (alone!!! No kids to demand anything from me). Surgery itself was a bit intimidating but ultimately absolutely fine. There were many people in theatre being absolutely lovely to me I never felt alone or scared.

I found the postnatal bit alone a bit hard as I was struggling with nausea and pain (but I have lots of friends in the same boat who did not!). Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed having 48hrs to myself with the baby.

Best of luck, I’m sure you’ll be absolutely fine x

You poor thing - I had my first two at home and was so upset/freaked out by the prospect of having to go into hospital for induction with my third. It’s a very different experience but it’s completely fine - and as you’re having a C section you will have a set time, so hopefully not too much waiting around, which was the bit I found really difficult. Once everything was underway and I was focussing on the baby, it was all good. Definitely pack lots of snacks, earphones, phone charger and some creature comforts eg your own pillow and blanket for the hospital - I thought they’d raise an eyebrow at all the stuff I brought with me but no problem!! The midwives in the postnatal ward were lovely. Best of luck.

I would enjoy the rest!with new twins and a two year old and a 4 year old you are going to be knackered. Happy, but knackered.

Best wishes

I had one - it was lovely and calm. Keep on top of your pain meds afterwards and take it easy, lots of time on the sofa or in bed.

This is exactly the type of things I need to hear! I think the epidural / spinal block frightens me too - was it a strange sensation?

My fear of the C-section is probably distracting me from being overwhelmed at the prospect of having twins as well as 3 other children!!

Excited to see what we are having as it’s a surprise!! The twins are non-identical x

I had first CS in an emergency situation and it was scary. However, I had my second CS as a planned op - due to breech & complications from before.

Honestly it was like going to the dentist in comparison, calm, organised, felt safe, etc.

It's natural to be nervous before any op, but try and just go with the flow. It has to happen, and then you'll have some time to rest in hosp with your newborns

The spinal block is a bit weird! But they tell you EXACTLY what’s going to happen every step of the way which I found so helpful. It’s such a well tuned machine in theatre I felt (in the nicest possible way!) that they did this all day long so there was nothing to be worried about.

My first baby was one of those bloody magic Hypnobirthing, pool, gentle music births. So I was really dreading the contrast of being in theatre. But it was all very reassuring and still a lovely birth.

Please come back and tell us what you have!!

I had an elective c-section in October (my 2nd) which I opted for because my first was such a good experience.

2nd time round was great too- relaxed, calm, and I was home the next day.
You will be fine OP, promise- it's natural to be apprehensive but tomorrow you meet your babies!!

I had an ELCS with DD2 and it was fine, the spinal was over with very quickly (I was petrified about this bit!) And the operation was extremely quick. I was allowed to have skin to skin as soon as they'd performed the checks & it was overall a much better experience to my previous EMCS. I was out of hospital the next day and after a week was pushing a pram.

Best of luck with everything!

Had 2 sections, recovered fine, was driving in a a week. Didn't have much pain at all, scar itched a bit whilst it healed.

I haven't had a vaginal birth but from what I hear sections are easier, less chance of major tears, prolapses, etc.

Had DS2 by CS and it was fine. All the staff were great and I felt very well looked after. I was a bit shell shocked as I had never thought I would need one but it was recommended when DS heartbeat stopped when I was 14 days over. I was told it would feel like someone rolling a rug over my belly and that was a good description, absolutely no pain. First night I was in bed, staff helped me with baby. Second night I was ok to feed and wind him. Left 48 hours after op. Took it easy but DS1 was neatly 8 so I wasn’t dealing with a toddler.
I gradually did a bit more walking each day to build up my strength. I remember an old school friend telling me it would all be fine, she had had two.
I was back at circuit training at 3 months after, half pace and no floor work, but still doing some exercise. At 6 months I was pretty much fine. Would have had absolutely no concerns if we’d had more and it would have been by CS.
Just take it steady and be careful with your wound and stomach muscles.

Thanks ladies! They have told me to have no food after midnight and nothing to drink after 6am which I will struggle with too! I don’t think I will sleep much tonight but I am starting to feel more excited now than anything!

I had one last year. It was truly wonderful.

I strolled into theatre, I was greeted like a celebrity as they’d all been waiting for me. The ‘spinal’ was the bit I was most scared about and the anaesthetist (they’ll be your best mate and will sit right be your head) said the anaesthetic into your back is the worst bit. I didn’t feel it at all. And I didn’t feel the catheter go into my back at all, I just got a little buzz (like a vibration, not pain) down my left leg. And then it was done.

Then you lay down, slightly tilted to the left, while your legs go numb. They don’t feel like they’ve been cut off (another thing that scared me) you can still feel them (but not pain), you just can’t move them.

My blood pressure dropped (really, really common) and I felt momentarily a bit nauseous, which I told the anaesthetist who gave me something into my cannula and instantly felt better.

Then they start without you even knowing, and before you know it, the babies are coming out. It’s so fast. then you have your babies to look at. They always goes to the Resuscitaire and you have THE BEST people there so there’s nothing to worry about.

I also had a low down blood vessel that decided to bleed like mad, and they sorted it so fast, I didn’t have a clue until afterwards when the doctor joked about it. I didn’t need any exciting transfusions or anything, I just took Spatone (liquid iron, Holland & Barrett) in orange juice and I was grand.

It’s honesty so cool, and you won’t feel anxious and if you do, tell the lovey anaesthetist who will help.

It is honestly so cool and you will be buzzing afterwards.

Also the recovery really is ok. Just keep moving. Keep walking. And take regular painkillers (over the counter ones are all you’ll need) for a few days.

Good luck and congratulations.

I had to have an EMCS in November. I was only in hospital for 3 days after, and that was as a first time mum (and there were some initial concerns about DD).

I was terrified - all through the pregnancy, a C-section had been something I'd been terrified of. It was actually fine, they were lovely and explained what was happening. They did numb me slightly too well in the end - I couldn't move one arm until it had worn off! They also (and this may just have been my hospital) let DH stay for ages afterwards, far longer than we'd been told he'd be allowed to stay for.

The pain afterwards was much less than I expected, in all honesty the worst aftereffect was the constipation. And having to give myself an injection, but I'm a wuss with needles.

My sister had ELCS with her 3rd, having had two EMCS. The second of those had proven very difficult (related to previous illnesses and surgery), so she'd been advised not only that any more needed ELCS but that she must have the most experienced doctor to do it.

My mother and I were very nervous before her 3rd, especially as she only had a 19 month age gap. But actually it went very smoothly and her recovery afterwards was straightforward and very much easier than the emergency ones had been.

From my own experience, spinal/epidural CS means that you can have a top up of pain relief before they remove the epidural - I needed far less pain relief after that one than after a GA section (both emergencies).

Very best wishes for tomorrrow!

I repeated myself loads of times there. 😂 sorry. I was excited to tell you so you’d feel better.

Oh yes. Trapped wind that you feel in your shoulder. Weirdly common. Take peppermint tea. 👍🏻