Feeling anxious about a planned c-section at PRUH

[LittleBean2025]

Hi everyone,
I’m due to have a c-section at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) and I’m feeling really anxious about it. It’s my first baby and I can’t help worrying that something might go wrong.

I would really love to hear from anyone who has had a c-section there — how was your experience? Did you feel supported and well looked after? How was the recovery afterwards?

I just need a bit of reassurance and some positive stories to calm my nerves. Thank you so much ❤️

I haven't had one there but I have had two csections. My first was a serious cat 1 emergency section so that isn't relevant to you. But my second section was planned. It's genuinely absolutely fine but like you I was afraid. You get an epidural or a spinal blocker , that's usually the scary bit because of the thought of it but once you are settled on the table, its so fast. You meet your beautiful baby really quickly, usually within 10/15 mins and the other 40 mins is sewing you up but trust me you are so preoccupied with your baby, the time flies. You feel absolutely nothing bar tugging when your little one is being born and they will check eit3h you to make sure that is the case.

Recovery varies, you'll be on strong painkillers, it is sore afterwards when the numbness wears down but personally I could handle it. I wasn't in terrible pain or anything. You are just limited for a bit because of bending ect and your core is a bit weak but by week 3 I was quite fit again.

Everyone's experience is different but that's mine after two sections very close together. And both my csections were similar in recovery, albeit my first section was for a sad reason but the surgery itself and the recovery were standard in practice. Ask away if you have any questions. But it really is fine.

I had two planned c-sections.
Both at 38 weeks.
1st 4 years ago; 2nd 22 months ago.
You will need help getting baby from cot immediately after, but should be able to do it yourself after a few days. Ask for help!
Rule is not to lift anything heavier than your baby until advised otherwise.
I didn't need pain medication either time, although the 2nd time was quite painful for the first few days because incision was through scar tissue.
I asked for anxiety medication prior to surgery each time and was given Lorazepam which helped.
Drink lots of water and eat well, esp high protein, to aid in healing. (Don't stress about it, just eating yoghurt and eggs help).
Ask for catheter to be removed asap.
Stand and walk around your room as soon as you are allowed and easy walking to aid recovery, help fluid removal, prevent clots.
Recovery was much easier than I anticipated. 😅

I was starving afterward and ate my full hospital lunch and dinner like an animal then was sitting up eating my own midnight buffet of yoghurt, a muffin, fruit, choc Digestives when the nurse came in to check on us. 😂