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!!

Buy ALL the windease. I was really bloated afterwards. Have you sorted a playlist? I had a slow c section, baby was removed in silence, no talking in theatre, delayed clamping. Alas, I did not get a tummy tuck into the bargain.

I have a 10yo (natural) and 3yo (emcs) and my new baby was delivered by elcs. Honestly with covid I was terrified of my elective. I was scared to go in alone, partner was only allowed to come in when I was called to theatre. It was a very bizarre feeling getting showered in the morning at home knowing it would all be over in the afternoon. However I went in and waited with 2 other ladies who were waiting and were lovely. Theatre team were so efficient, it was so quick and very surreal. Baby comes very quickly then about 20-30mins of being stitched up. You can feel the prodding when they pull baby out but nothing else, not a dot of pain. With spinal and iv line I just kept thinking 'this is way easier than contractions and pushing him out' which got me through. I actually heamorraghed but I had no idea. They were so calm and reassuring and it wasn't until I got to recovery they told me I'd lost more blood than expected and they would keep a close eye and check all my levels etc. The drugs are amazing and I felt on this lovely floaty cloud and so relaxed afterwards. I was so scared about being alone on the ward afterwards but the midwives were lovely and helped put him in the cot and pick him up for me. By morning I got up and I was able to pick my baby up on my own and breastfeed etc with no help. I did have to keep asking for more pain relief but they were very prompt about it and it was kept very well under control. I went home that day and was in for only 24 hours. I was given dihydracodeine (??) To take home which was a HUGE help (after my emcs I was only given paracetamol and ibuprofen) GP was happy to prescribe me codeine a week later when my painkillers ran out as I was still having a lot of pain without them. The night alone on the ward was LOVELY. Just me and my baby and it was so amazing to bond and jump straight in head first. The bay was full of other c section mums (the ones id been with in the waiting room the day before) and we were all up all night with our babies so I didn't feel bad about making noise etc. It was definitely my easiest birth and it actually felt a bit like a cop out because it was so quick and easy but absolutely lovely too! We have lots of photos from theatre and my partner was allowed to stay when we were in recovery and for 2 hours on the ward so about 4 hours before he left.

Good luck!! And congratulations!

Good luck! I had an EMCS and it was a great experience and home within 24 hours. I was terrified of the epidural before hand but it was nothing-I hardly felt a thing!

I had an elective last summer and it was great! Other half had to leave after a couple of hours but the staff on the ward were fab they were in and out all the time offering help and cups of tea. I was home within 24 hours and walking around the supermarket with the pram after 4 days. It was an easy recovery compared to forceps/episiotomy/PPH with my first! Have some paracetamol, ibuprofen and mild laxative like senna at home and peppermint tea worked really well for wind! The spinal is a really weird sensation but the anaesthetist will be chatting to you and it is very common for you to feel a bit dizzy or nauseated as your blood pressure changes with the spinal but before I could even say I felt a bit funny they had gave me some meds in my cannula and I told the anaesthetist I felt lovely 🤣
Get up as soon as they tell you you can and stand tall and move little and often-the worst thing you can do is stay inactive or in the same place for too long.

Also, eat lots of bananas or whatever makes you er, regular. The c section seems to put your entire digestive strike on pause so the first poo you do can be an experience!

One emergency- not too bad....second one elective

Like someone else said, the staff were lovely and genuinely excited but very calm and jolly

The spinal is definitely the worse bit for me, tell them if it hurts or you’re uncomfortable because of the bump being in the way. They’ll do everything to try to shift you to comfortable position

Then the worse is over. As people say the baby comes out really quick, you get to see it and then you won’t be much aware of what happens then as you’ll have your baby

I felt very cold after, shivering mad shaking..all normal...get them to pile a load of blankets on you

I was drinking a glass of champagne on top of morphine in the ward after..nurses were all ok with it😉

Just take it easy after. Don’t rush to get out of hosptial until you are ready. Think and discuss with midwife if they can keep your baby in nursery on first night and just bring for feeds, that way you can properly sleep off anethesia and wait until catheter is removed and your up and about. If you are last on list that day you may end up with Hungary/wet baby you can’t reach on your fist night otherwise

Then take it steady to recover. Do your pelvic floors like everyone else. And do work on supporting your lower abs and getting those to heal. I had my sections nearly 30 years ago, and have had awful issues with back problems because of it, didn’t start to be a problem until about 5 years after sections. Mostly due to adhesions. So, get good physio is my advice and pay attention to those abs and pelvic floor

Hope it is a lovely day for you💐💐💐💐

@Notanotherhun

Buy ALL the windease. I was really bloated afterwards. Have you sorted a playlist? I had a slow c section, baby was removed in silence, no talking in theatre, delayed clamping. Alas, I did not get a tummy tuck into the bargain.

Ahhh OP, I completely understand! I had an ELCS last year and I was soooo scared but it wasn't as bad as expected! Honestly the worst part was having the spinal put in... I was out of hospital within 24 hours and out of the house within 2 weeks. Never had anything more than Ibuprofen and Paracetamol and my pain threshold is soooo ridiculously low! Wishing you all the luck OP and a speedy recovery! Not to mention lots of joy with your new babies 🥰

Ps: have some peppermint tea as the PPs suggested, it does help!

I had a c section at 8pm and was home by 1pm the next day. I felt so much better than with my previous vaginal birth. I was driving in under two weeks. I would absolutely have a c section again if I were to have any more, which I definitely won’t be :)

I didn’t feel the spinal.
First poo was not painful at all.

Mine was also fine and I was up walking to the loo that evening after a midday operation. The painkillers they give you are very effective: I was A LOT more comfortable after c section than after vaginal tearing etc. The only thing I would say is not to believe the comments like ‘it will feel like someone washing up in your tummy.’ No, definitely not! Or certainly not like anyone I have ever seen wash up.

Hi had an EMCS with first child, and then an elective with second. The elective was totally my choice - which shows how happy I was with my first section.
Both times I only stayed in hospital two nights. I was up and about really quickly and didn’t have any problems. The elective one was even better as it was so calm.

Congratulations!

I had a planned twin C section as one of mine was breach.

The whole procedure was very positive and my babies arrived safely and healthy at 39 weeks.

I had music playing and the old cliche about it feeling like washing up/rummaging around, was true!

They are nearly 15 now!

Good luck. Take snacks. I was starving! Don't be afraid to ask for help in hospital either once they are born

I’ve not had twins but I’ve had 7 c sections and they were all fine but I always felt nervous even before the last one I think it’s very normal to worry.
Each recovery was different but hopefully yours goes well and is all straightforward and you have a quick recovery. Good luck x

I've had one emcs and one elcs. The elcs was fine - a whole day of hanging around. Then quite surreal walking down to theatre knowing you're going to have a baby. The thing i didnt expect was how hard they push down on your stomach to get the baby out. It feels like a lot of rummaging and pulling, but no pain. You also get a good look at your placenta.

First night the staff handed ds to me as i couldnt get up, but was d/c after less than 24 hrs. It's hard and painful doing anything where you need stomach muscles ie sitting up, rolling over etc. So i hope youve got some extra support with your other dc! Hope all goes well

Mine was 7 years ago, but it was fab, I actually really loved it!

The spinal block is a bit odd, but the staff know that's the bit most people are afraid of so are really kind, and explain exactly what's going to happen and check you're ok every step of the way. The anesthetist is totally there to look after you and there's nothing at all to worry about.

My actual section was also completely fine, I could feel a bit of moving about but no pain whatsoever.

Don't worry at all, it's highly likely that you're going to have a really lovely day tomorrow, and this time tomorrow evening, you'll be cuddling your fabulous twins!

I had dd in August and postnatal was lovely without any visitors. The staff had much more time to help. The care was brilliant. My first stay on the same ward 3 years before was hell it was so busy.

Yanbu to feel apprehensive, it's normal.
I havent had twins but did have an elective section which was a very positive experience.
I was scared too but it was quick, painless and the staff were lovely.
I stayed in for 2 nights but could have gone after 1. If you've got two at home already you might prefer more of a rest in hospital.
My recovery was quick and I hope yours will be too.
My tip is rolling out of bed rather than sitting up. But please be careful doing this in case it doesn't work for you!
Accept all help offered and take it easy when you get home.
Good luck, do you know what you're having?

Honestly, you'll get into theatre and find it so relaxed and routine that you'll wonder what you were anxious about! My experience was really lovely, everyone in theatre was so efficient and kind and there was absolutely no worry, drama or pain at all. There are a few odd sensations but nothing to worry about - it's just a bit of gentle tugging and pushing and then you get your lovely bundles!

It's amazing how your body heals too. Just take it slow, take the painkillers, and you'll be grand.

Congratulations, you get to meet your babies tomorrow

Good luck tomorrow. I had elective it was so peaceful I like to know what’s going on and not to second guess so I asked the anthetist to talk me through each stage which she did and it really helped me feel a little in control. If you are this way too then just ask them to keep talking to you. Take the drugs and don’t be shy to press the bell when back on ward if you need anything or help with the babies etc. Try and walk when you feel ready. Hope all goes well

What lovely positive comments! Am feeling very uncomfortable tonight so it will be a relief to be able to see my feet again!!! My bump currently reaches my knees!!!!

I had an elective cs with my fourth, it was so easy and quick and quite a relaxed atmosphere. I was out 48 hours later so back to the children. I am sure the hospital will discharge you as soon as possible. I would absolutely recommend it after my other births which weren't anywhere near as easy and I was exhausted. I think you will need all your energy to care for the babies. Good luck and congratulations!

As someone else said the actual surgery was like a trip to the dentist - all felt very calm, very straightforward. So well looked after both in surgery and recovery.

I got the shakes afterwards and was given a given a heated blanket thingy, after that felt quite normal.

Post-natal was the usual pot luck situation depending on how nice the midwives were and how busy they were (no different to my other experiences after vaginal births). In hindsight I should have kicked off more about need for pain meds - it’s super variable how much pain you are in. I was in a lot (only when I tried to move/sit up - lying down was fine) and I didn’t get much by way of pain relief. If you are suffering, say so.

(Oh and very vain of me but one reason I really didn’t want a c-section was I thought it would wreck my stomach - 3 years on now and it looks no differ to how it did beforehand, I can’t even see the scar unless i look closely)

I can't comment on having a section during the pandemic but I have had four c sections. Two emergencies and the other two planned. I was very worried in regards to the fourth due to scarring and age. However, it was very calm and yes, you will be uncomfortable but good painkillers will help. I was at home within 24 hours of the two planned sections. The anaesthesist will be by your head the whole time and will chat to you telling you what is happening at each stage and what the surgeon is doing. If you feel ill tell them and they can give you drugs to help. I struggle each time with very low blood pressure and they were able to keep on top of it. You will be in great hands. I hope it all goes well and recovery is swift.

My first was emergency c-section and it was horrendous so I asked for an elective for DS2 rather than a VBAC (I was really worried I'd end up with another emergency csection otherwise). The elective was lovely, I was rested, it was calm, I was able to have immediate skin to skin, bonding was immediate and recovery was VERY fast (I felt fine after 1 week). Beautiful birth. Good luck. X