To ask you to tell me about your c-sections?

[Boeux]

No need to of course as I know it's a very personal thing but I'd really appreciate some anecdotal stories atm. I'm booked in for the op tomorrow morning, I'm quite nervous and would love a morale boost and basically to be told I'll be fine

Thanks in advance!

Ask for more pain meds BEFORE you get really sore. Don't let it wear off first, if you know what I mean. Drink loads so you can wee the appropriate amount once the catheter comes out. And MOVE as soon as they want you to - the more you move the easier it gets. The worst thing for me was post surgery trapped wind 😵 I had referred pain right up into my shoulder!! It was very sore but they gave me something for it, meds and a hot water bottle. I really loved my whole c section experience - my memories are positive despite a bit of pain.

I remember being so scared during the emergency one. I asked the surgeon if he had ever done this op before he said he hadn't and was on work experience and that he usually worked in the hospital grounds!!!

I've had two, 16 and 18 years ago so things may have changed.
First was supposed to be planned (I'm type 1 diabetic and was over 40 and bubba was huge) but he decided to come at 37 weeks. Waters broke but did not go into active labour. Everything went fine, I did stay in four days (as was the norm), but I was out to lunch at a restaurant the day after I got home. Second time baby had to go to Nicu for a few days (relating to my diabetes) and I had to have a drain attached, but again was pretty mobile after we went home. I did stick to the six weeks no driving, which just meant I got quite a bit of walking in.
They were thinking of a vbac with my second but I wanted a section and after checking her growth decided that was the best course.
It is not to be considered the easy way - it bloody hurts, you still bleed for a few weeks after and still quite sensitive.
Don't be surprised at the amount of people in the operating room - there must have been 7 or 8 doctors, nurses, assistants and students. You may feel like throwing up after the epidural - your blood pressure plummets but it's temporary. I had a catheter which was weird and not the most pleasant thing. An amazing number of people will see your business end - but honestly you will not care.
The food in the hospital may be dire so have your partner bring some! You will go through maternity pads at an alarming rate (I was using them when my waters broke - it was like a never ending flow).

Both of my DC were born by elective CS.

They were both perfect although I was nervous beforehand which is totally normal and understandable. Lost a lot of blood with my first but recovery was quicker than with the second which again I think is fairly normal.

My first surgeon was a massive big guy and at one point it felt like he had started to punch my stomach (this was after DS was out) but he was just taking the placenta out apparently. I was so indignant saying to DH 'why is he hitting me?' lol.

With my second the surgeon popped his head over the big sheet that they cover you with and asked 'do you want to see her come out' both DH and I were like 'nooooo!' poor DH can't handle blood he would have passed out and I didn't want to see my stomach hanging open.

First poo afterwards is a bit scary and the injections afterwards aren't fun but I don't regret my choice and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Fwiw I do still have a flat stomach even after two but I have years of practicing yoga to thank for that.

Had an elective. Totally fine, very relaxed. Surgery team were so amazing and I am forever grateful.

Obviously it's painful afterwards but I expect pushing something with a giant head out of your fanny also leaves you with some lingering discomfort....I wouldn't know as only eve had a section, but find it odd when people compare the two in terms of pain/discomfort, surely a vaginal birth isn't pain free afterwards?!? Just keep on top of your pain relief, every 4 hrs, set alarms.

I didn't have any problems with my scar but was very fastidious at keeping the wound clean, only in the shower- didn't touch it the rest of the time. Used Australian Tea Tree shower gel and v hot water specifically, healed nicely, barely noticeable now. Also its a lot further down than you think. Hats off to anyone who still wants to wear a teeny tiny bikini which might mean it was visible !

I know you've already got a DC but for anyone pg and having a section with their first, my stomach has gone back to washboard flatness....I was huge when pg and honestly very fat for about a year after, got back into my running and pilates and honestly apart from the merest dome it looks as good if not better than pre pg, so I don't think your stomach condition post has anything to do with your delivery method.

One thing to check is what they're putting through your spinal in terms of pain relief during the op, I felt very whacked out.....and looked it on the pics, I think they may have put some diamorphine in but not sure, my friend's just had an Elective and she looked so radiant, I asked her and she said she felt fine so suspect I was given something she wasn't, that's the only thing I'd change, I'd ideally not liked to have been high 😅!

Hi OP, I had an elective CS in June with my third child due to transverse lie - it was my first section and I was terrified but as PP have said, I was amazed how calm everything was!
One thing to add, the midwives on the ward beforehand told me to ask DH to bring a camera, we thought WTF, why would we want to photograph it, I would never have wanted any pictures of my previous labours! Luckily DH did have his phone which has a good camera - he got an amazing picture just as they were lifting DD out, so make sure you have a phone or a camera with you.
Good luck with everything, it really isn't as bad as you're thinking. Like you, this will be our last baby, but I would happily have another section if I needed to which is not something I thought I'd say before I experienced it.

Codeine gives you constipation, you absolutely must make sure you take a mild laxative whilst taking it as you don't want to be straining on the loo with stitches in your tum.

I've heard that electives are much easier and nicer than emergencies! I had an emergency. I really didn't want it, but DD had to come out, so there was no choice.

The theatre staff were great, especially the anaesthetist. Weird stuff I wasn't expecting: the surgeon asked for a step to stand on so she could get a better grip on DD! Slightly odd to hear this request from behind the curtain/divider! The rummaging feeling - no pain at all, just a sensation I've never felt before. The weird disconnect between being pregnant and suddenly seeing DD being lifted up.

As for aftercare, it was better than expected, but I urge you to ask for pain relief and take it before you think you'll need it. I had as many doses of oromorph as they could legally give me, then on to ibuprofen and paracetamol after a day or so.

Don't watch any comedy for a few days! I did, and laughing felt sooooo weird and icky.

Good luck! It's well worth it.

Forgot to mention - the spinal might make you shiver uncontrollably. This happened to me and I was freaking out, but the anaesthetist told me it's normal.

I had what they classed as an EMCS ten days ago, but it was ‘planned’ for hours beforehand and I wasn’t in active labour so the actual op was akin to an ELCS I think. It was honestly a great experience, I really enjoyed the op itself and so did DH. I would say about an hour afterwards things got quite unpleasant - I lost too much blood and felt really poorly, plus I started having after birth contractions which combined with the fresh wound were excruciating (apparently this is common with second and subsequent babies.) I also can’t take anti-inflammatory drugs for the same reason as you, so I had paracetamol, dihydrocodeine and for the first couple of days oramorph too - I personally really needed them all to cope with the pain, although some people are fine almost straight away. I would strongly suggest getting on a regime of stool softeners and loooaaads of water as soon as you start with the pain relief, I got constipated and it was awful. One thing I wasn’t expecting is that the worst pain now is actually in my back, from being tense and hunched a lot and my core muscles being destabilised. Try and relax and keep good posture if you can and keep on top of your paracetamol!! The most important thing is to have the support you need - I’ve basically done nothing at all except breastfeed and managed a daily shower as my stretch goal, haven’t been outside yet. My husband and parents have done everything else, including all the nappies since I got home from hospital. As a result my mobility and pain levels have improved every day and I’m coping well with night feeding without getting too exhausted or setting back my recovery.

Mine was quite hard. It was supposed to be elective but I went into labour before the date. I felt quite sick and disorientated at one point during the surgery so they gave me some injection to combat that. Other than that minor problem, the surgery itself was fine.

I felt in agonising pain for first three days and had to be on paracetamol and ibuprofen continuously for about two weeks, then my scar got infected. It was a slow recovery all round. So glad I'm done having children as my first natural birth was even worse!

Seems it is very different for everyone so hope for the best but prepare for the worst I suppose!

Very little help in hospital unfortunately so get discharged as soon as you can!

I’ve had 2. One emergency I was nearly dilated and undetected breach. It was all very calm. Recovered well. Second wasn’t emergency but wasn’t planned either. My waters broke but no contractions. Couple of days passed so they did a c section as didn’t want to induce due to previous scar tissue. All went well. The only thing I will say is don’t push yourself too much on recovery. I healed well with both but my first I thought my bleeding had slowed to almost stop (normal after birth bleeding). I put the washing in the machine and the flood gates opened again 😂 make sure you pack big knickers. Bigger the better. Itl be fine tho, the staff will put you at ease.

Ps, what wasn’t mentioned to me on either sections was I could of asked for skin on skin once baby was out. But both times baby went to hubby first and I got cuddles once in recovery.

Oh yes, the shakes! I got those too. Uncontrollable but apparently totally normal so don't worry!

I'm booked in for my ELCS on Wednesday, it's a relief to read these stories and definitely helping me be less nervous

It's brill to see so many positive experiences!

I am a little worried about infection as I still have a touch of PTSD from when I developed sepsis last time. I was that ill I don't actually remember how I felt or what the signs were, I just remember collapsing on the ward

What should I be on the look out for in terms of infection in the wound when I come home?

That was supposed to be a blush emoji I'm not giving myself flowers

I’ve had two, planned c sections. Both beautiful, calm experiences, with no pain. Sort of like checking into a hotel.

There were 4 other women lined up for a c section both times I had mine. The doctors then decide who goes first based on risk factors, so there can be a lot of waiting around. Take a book/something to do.

The anaesthetist and others in the room talk to you the entire time. They tell you what to expect (I.e. ‘next you’ll maybe feel a bit of tugging’).

Then you get to cuddle your new baby :)

Good luck!

Ohhh reading some of these made me remember some other bits!

Yes to the shakes. Totally normal.

The anaesthesia made me feel very sick. The second time around I asked for anti sickness medication.

I had an infection the second time around as well. Make sure you take your temperature and if you see it go up, then get on to the midwife.

I'm a bit of a strange one when it comes to temperatures, I very rarely get them even with things like tonsillitis and covid.

When I was developing sepsis I don't recall having a temperature at all, until I'd been in HDU for maybe 4 days and had the rigours but I was already being pumped full of antibiotics and fluids by then.

Will definitely keep a thermometer handy.

Another thing is, because of my PTSD and anxiety, when I'm on high alert (which I fully expect to be postpartum) I do tend to feel a bit poorly and not 'with it' so it's hard to know what's just anxiety and what's not iykwim?

Good luck! I found my emergency c section much more relaxed and an easier recovery than ky natural birth experience. I haemorrhaged after a previous miscarriage and was worried about this happening again but was luckily I was fine after the section. I get nervous which makes me feel sick but they said to tell them when I was feeling sick and they game me anti sickness mess (or a placebo I have no idea but whatever it was worked!). Just remember to put your full trust in the team and enjoy the experience as much as you can and soon you will have your gorgeous baby!

*meds!

I’m also having a section tomorrow and have been crying all day I’m so scared!

I've had two and the procedure itself was very calm, lovely and pain free with both. Staff were absolutely fantastic. Nothing to be frightened of at al, though tbh I was more terrified of becoming a parent than the process itself.

I won't lie, the next day I did find more painful than I expected first time round. Not sure what I expected tbh, obviously it will be sore after an abdominal op, but I'd never undergone anything like that before. But I felt much, much better within a few days and I remember a week later saying that "If you'd told me I would feel this much better already a week ago, I wouldn't have believed you!" Take decent pain killers before you need them and it will be fine.

Second time round the pain was much less, to the point where I commented on it frequently as I couldn't believe I only needed paracetamol. So perhaps I was pulled and tugged around more to get DS1 out and my first experience was more unusual.

Years later, every time I watch a vaginal birth on TV or listen to friends talking about theirs, I always silently thank the gods that I never had to go through all that! Never even went into labour - my nightmare was days of labour followed by a c section, at least that was avoided.

I'm 5 weeks post emergency c section & can tell you don't over think it & don't worry. The professionals know what they are doing. I just wish I could get the days I was in labour before the section back & the only time that stressed me was the rushing around due to the emergency nature.
I couldn't feel anything while it was happening just a bit of tugging. Don't be afraid to communicate with them, for example I felt a bit nauseous but just told them & it was swiftly dealt with. Felt a bit sick afterwards so had to leave my husband holding the baby but felt a lot better after an hour. The next day I felt like death but honestly it only lasted for 24 hours & a lot of it had to do with the tiredness. I would say keep active which you will probably have no choice in anyways as baby has to be minded & don't listen to horror stories!!!!!!