ELCS 2 weeks tomorrow - please answer my silly questions?

[iloveholidays]

After a failed ECV yesterday, I've been booked in for an ELCS 2 weeks tomorrow for my DC2. Had a text book birth and labour with DD so very disappointed, but trying to keep positive.

Anyway, can I ask a lot of silly questions...?

1. How scary is the walk around to theatre? I'm really worried I'll be petrified at this point.

1. Is there anything different in particular I should include in my hospital bag?

1. How long is it until I can stand again? What is it like standing again after getting the feeling back?

1. When will I be able to have a shower?

1. When were you allowed home? When did you start feeling better? When would I be able to pick up my 2 year old etc etc?

1. How did you feel about visitors? I'm worried I'm going to be absolutely exhausted when I get home and people are already booking in to visit the first weekend.

Thank you in advance - sorry for the silliness, just preparing myself!! :)

Hi,

I think it is different for everyone!

I didn't find the walk round to theatre at all worrying - I was looking forward to meeting my baby . However, it was my choice to have a ELCS so that may have helped.

Not sure what you have in hospital bag, but BIG pants as you need to make sure they come above the scar line. I got really cheap granny ones from market as I know the disposable ones don't work!!

I was not allowed to stand for 24 hours, and at that point it is a bit like having pins and needles and then ok. I was allowed a shower then.

I stayed in for 5 days, but ds was in SCBU so I was allowed to stay in longer (and they had room!!) but I think otherwise it would have been 2/3 days. Felt better much quicker than I thought - had a 4 year old at the time, and although I didn't lift her she was sitting on my lap about 3 days later without any problems.

Visitors - has mum and dad there straight away to help with dd, and pretty much had visitors constantly - but I didn't lift a finger dh and mum and dad did all the running around.

Not silly - just being prepared - hope I have helped!!

Good luck x

i found my elective not scary at all, after 2 emergency sections which were a little bit. everyone was very calm and relaxed and they took time to answer my questions before and during. they also had time to set me up for skin to skin contact which i hadn't had with the other 2 (if you want it, you need to ask the anaesthetist to put the electrodey things on your back instead of your front, and get the gown off one shoulder)

1. definitely big pants, i must agree the disposable ones sat in just the wrong place on my scar

1. i had the section at 4pm, catheter removed (doesn't hurt just feels a bit odd) around 5am, up immeidately after that... so 12 hours ish... didn't feel wobbly at all, just pretty sore

1. i didn't have a shower til i got home on day 3 after 2nd section, and with 3rd section i was only in hospital for 24 hours, but think it took a few days before i fancied actually getting into the shower.

1. went home after 48 hours with ds2, and after 24 hours with dd. 24 hours IMO is a bit too soon but i was on a large busy ward and couldn't get any sleep so was better off at home where i was fortunate to get lots of help. first 2 sections i was up and runninig around happily by day 3, doing school run etc, 3rd section i feel hellish for 2 weeks and could barely get out of bed, i had a nerve trapped in the stitches and it was v painful for the first month.

1. as for visitors, you really have to see how you feel, as everyone heals differently

No advice but just a bit of company as I'm in the same position as you (except that it's my first baby) and my ELCS is in one week's time. I too felt very disappointed after the ECV failed, as my original birth plan would have been basically to be left to get on with it if everything was OK and to escape from hospital ASAP - I hate hospitals and anything medical! I don't think you're being silly at all, it's a scary prospect having major surgery whilst awake and all very surreal when you think about it. Thanks for asking these questions - will be following the responses too

Thanks for your answers - sounds like its going to be better than I originally thought.

Hi diyqueen - I was absolutely gutted yesterday, I had a registrar and consultant give the ECV a really good go (don't think they wanted to ruin his statistics! :)). My tummy is very sore today, but really glad I gave it a go. Everyone seems very positive about ELCS, although I'm just hoping to get that far. DD was born at 36+2 so will be impressed if I manage to get to 38+6 (when ELCS is booked). My main worries are feeling sicky/faint etc during the op and then my 2 year old not understanding why I can't do as much for her afterwards. How many weeks are you now?

My c-s was an emc-s for undiagnosed breech, but pretty relaxed as no-one was in any danger.

I tended to get down on the floor with DS1 more rather than try to explain that i couldn't pick him up (he was 20months old at the time). But i could fairly easily sit down and get back up to play with him, or even change his nappy.

I had DH for 2 weeks, then MIL for 2 weeks then my Mum for 2 weeks.
By 4 weeks I felt nearly 100% fine and was back to driving.

1. i wasn't terrified just upset at losing my HB

2. • definitely big pants, cheapo ones from primark, etc.

• possibly a spare pillow, hosp ones are crap and you may want one to help with BF (or a v-pillow)

3. Had c-s at 4am, sure i was on my feet later that day, you feel unsure but your legs haven't forgotten how to work :) but, although tou feel you need to hunch over & hold you stomach together i have since read that it's better to try and stand upright and take the weight off the scar.

4. i had a side room, so private bathroom (thank God!) and had a shower either that day or the next, can't remember. They advised having one soonish to help get the bigger dressing off.

5. I wanted out asap, so i left 2 days later, came home and rested up in bed for a couple of days, then felt mostly ok from then on.

6. visitors - same as with any post-birth i would think, except they need to be prepared to be even more helpful than usual. only allow helpful types to come and stay, and only have people popping in when the helpful types are around to make tea, etc. do not overdo things.

I had a emcs so my experience may be slightly different but still here are my answers

1. I was wheeled into theatre

1. I would get high rise black knickers as you'll need it to be above the scar. Arnica. Prunes.

1. I had mine at midnight and was able to walk the following morning.

1. Same thing in the morning, the mw made sure I was happy to stand and walk and then agree for me to go and have my shower. I was ask to take the plaster off at that time.

1. DS had to stay for 7 days so I staid the same time but most women in the ward who had a cs staid for 5 days. I started feeling better as soon as DS was out but I had to be careful when lifting stuff as it was pulling on my scar

1. I had visitors in the afternoon but if you worried about visitors at home set some rules, they can come and visit but give them some stuff to do (ie. vacuum, prepare tea/lunch, Take your 2 years old for a walk...)

Also I would advise you to have some meals ready in the freezer as you may not feel being up on the kitchen.

Thanks JustKeepSwimming - its lovely to hear everyone be so positive as a few weeks ago I was absolutely terrified at the idea of a C-section (probably as I had such a good first birth) but am slowly coming round to the idea and seeing the positives.

Re visitors DP and myself have 5 sisters between us, 2 of which are a distance away so are already planning to come at the weekend and I'm worried I'm not going to be up to it. There are also lots of kids, so might need to limit to adults only but no point worrying until the time I suppose - just hate to offend.

Its nice to know that I probably won't be in hospital for days on end though, all the paperwork at the hospital says 3-4 days, but the midwives all say 2-3, so I'm hoping for 3 tops!

Thank you all.. I'm now wishing away the next two weeks so I can finally meet my little one (assuming it doesn't come earlier!!)

Anyone else...?

1. How scary is the walk around to theatre? I'm really worried I'll be petrified at this point.

I feel nervous & excited at that point! I have heard of people being very nervous & offered a tiny dose of valium but I don't think it's that bed.

1. Is there anything different in particular I should include in my hospital bag?

I take my own pain killers in (codeine, paracetamol & diclofenac) GP prescribes them before - after care is pretty crap, getting the GP to prescribe also avoids the long wait for TTOs when you're trying to get discharged. Triangular breastfeeding cushion is essential imo & some waterproof shoes to wear in the shower.

1. How long is it until I can stand again? What is it like standing again after getting the feeling back?

Within a few hours - I insist on having a a shower late afternoon after a morning section (before visitors) - you can still shower while the catheter is in. The sooner you mobilise the sooner you get home. It helps with general mobility to get the cannula out as soon as possible - ime they don't take it out until you're eating & drinking without being sick (I always feel sick in recovery afterwards - ask for anti-emetics asap if you do - there is absolutely no reason to be in pain or feeling sick, they can control both v. effectively).

1. When will I be able to have a shower?

A few hours, but you'll need someone to help (esp. if catheter still in). I don't like leaving baby unsupervised on ward (& there isn't a nursery at my hospital) so I time the shower so my mum is around to watch the baby while dh comes to help me shower.

1. When were you allowed home? When did you start feeling better? When would I be able to pick up my 2 year old etc etc?

I've stayed in between 1 & 3 nights, I'm hoping for another next day discharge this time. You may be delayed as they try to find a paed to do the newborn check - some midwives can do this & most GPs will too. I get the GP to do it now - everyone's happier because they clear the bed.

I carried my 2yo the same day I was discharged last time - probably not the most sensible thing to do but I didn't do myself any damage. I've found that I can do pretty much everything I need to do after the first 3-4 days as long as I stay on a pain relief schedule rather than waiting to be in pain. I've never needed pain killers (mainly paracetamol) for longer then 12 days. Recovery is quicker at home - more sleep, better food, better pain control & more help.

1. How did you feel about visitors? I'm worried I'm going to be absolutely exhausted when I get home and people are already booking in to visit the first weekend.

I like to see everyone in hospital - that keeps the visits short and sweet - then have a week or so at home with minimal visitors (grandparents excluded). Chatting to people is pretty exhausting, you're unlikely to get any sleep in the hospital unless you are lucky enough to get a private room (leap at the chance if offered). I am perfectly happy to leave visitors with dh & new baby and go to bed - with instructions for dh bring baby up when they wake & chuck visitors out after 45 mins or so.

Hi there, I know you have had a lot of replies to your thread but thought I'd share my experience too! I had a ELCS because my DD was quite franky bloody huge (10lb 13oz). I had a measuring scan on my due date and was told that she might not fit through my pelvis (I'm only a size 8!) and that I could try for a natural birth but it was unlikely..

Anyway, here goes

1. How scary is the walk around to theatre? I'm really worried I'll be petrified at this point.

I didn't find this scary at all, I was with my DH all the time apart from when the spinal block was put in. Also he had to get scrubbed up and put a gown on which made me laugh, this helped! I think the knowledge that you'll be with your little one within the hour keeps you going..

1. Is there anything different in particular I should include in my hospital bag?

Would definitely agree with the enourmo-pants. Primarni is defintiely your best bet, I bought some marvellous belly warmers that I threw straight in the bin once home.

1. How long is it until I can stand again? What is it like standing again after getting the feeling back?

I had my section at about 11am and was up and about by the next day. It is really wierd being numb from the waist down but to be honest it is so brilliant looking at and holding your beautiful baby that you don't give a monkeys..

1. When will I be able to have a shower?

I had a shower the following morning, I was offered a wheelchair and more pain relief but didn't bother, the need to be up and about it is completely overwhelming - but DO listen to advice and take it easy! There was a super midwife on my ward who very politely told me I was being silly and 'could collect my dignity on my way home' and to accept some help. So I did. All good.

1. When were you allowed home? When did you start feeling better? When would I be able to pick up my 2 year old etc etc?

I went home on the Friday after having my CS on the Monday, the reason I was in so long was because DD wasn't feeding very well, but my friend recently had a CS and was home in a couple of days. TBH though if you have got a 2yo at home I would make the most of the help you will get in hospital and absolutely don't go home until you feel ready.

1. How did you feel about visitors? I'm worried I'm going to be absolutely exhausted when I get home and people are already booking in to visit the first weekend.

I would tell them to ring first! Generally people are pretty understanding about being told to pop back in a couple of days. Think it is a great idea to leave baby with DH and visitors and take the opportunity for a bit of a kip.

I hope that this helps a bit - I was frightened about my secction but retrospectively feel as though I sort of dodged a bullet really, if that makes sense.

Really hope that everything goes well for you

I had my ELCS 5 weeks ago after a failed ECV. I was dreading it and really didn't want it even though I had a forceps and 3rd degree tear with DS.

It was an amazing experience and if I ever had another, I would have a CS again.

1. How scary is the walk around to theatre? I'm really worried I'll be petrified at this point. I found I just relaxed before hand, then when it was time to walk down, it was exciting because it was nearly time for DD to arrive and I knew exactly when it was going to happen. You only go into the anaesthetic room and they prepare you and then wheel you in. You get time to talk to all the staff, the introduce themselves and it is all very calm and everything is explained to you. No rush at all.

1. Is there anything different in particular I should include in my hospital bag? I took plenty of snacks as hospital food is bloody awful, big knickers and a couple sets of nightdresses/pyjamas. Remeber you will have a catheter in for the first day so you will want a nightdress. Apart from that, I didn't take anything different to a natural birth.

1. How long is it until I can stand again? What is it like standing again after getting the feeling back? I found the feeling actually started returning very quickly and by the time they got me up the next day, I was more than ready to try it. A good tip is to take painkillers before you first get up and take it really really easy. It is manageable.

1. When will I be able to have a shower? When you first get up, they take you to have a shower.

1. When were you allowed home? When did you start feeling better? When would I be able to pick up my 2 year old etc etc? I was home after 2 days but 5 weeks on I am still not lifting my 3 year old. I had to drag him up the stairs yesterday and I am paying for it. The pain (not bad but niggly) is returning as I have been overdoing it but with DH back to work, I have no choice but to do certain things, like taking the pram out of the boot etc. DH was off work for 4 weeks and it was really good.

1. How did you feel about visitors? I'm worried I'm going to be absolutely exhausted when I get home and people are already booking in to visit the first weekend. After being under a lot of pressure with DS and me finding it very overwhelming, we were firm about visitors this time. We only had a couple at a time and they were very staggered. We still haven't got around to everyone as people work all week and can only do weekends but I am not booking all my weekends with people coming over all the time. I wasn't anywhere near exhausted as I was after DS, IME, my CS didn't make me exhusted at all. I was BF at first which made me tired but I let DH do everything and didn't do a thing apart from see to DD. I found the visitors easier to handle and I knew that we were in control this time and we were very clear about it. There were a coupld of issues, 1 with my cousin who got shitty with me and MIL was moaning at DH about our visitors and who we were having and when but DH put her straight (luckily).

Just be firm and if you aren't ready for everyone to descend on you, tell them you will contact them when you are ready.

Good luck!

I really did love my CS experience!

Just looked back on some of the posts and see that you mention about lots of children.

All of my friends have toddlers as I met them at groups I go to. I stated (and they agreed) that all initial visits were to be child free. This was fantastic and I don't think you should feel guilty for saying it. The last thing I wanted was other children around. Even now, the minute I have DD I have crowds of toddlers around me, constantly stroking DD, climbing next to me, not leaving me alone at all then DS getting protective over his sister and telling them off. It does my fucking head in tbh!

I had an emcs so was wheeled round to theatre after labouring for 2 days and pushing for quite a long time.

But I had a spinal block which is what you usually have with an elcs as opposed to an epidural. Do you know yet if you will be having this? It starts to wear off while you're being stitched up and by the time I left recovery I had normal feeling again. DD was born at 10pm and I looked after her myself from the point I was put on the ward at 2am so I was up and about and moving around very quickly. What you might find is that you want to hunch your shoulders and stoop a bit in case standing upright 'pulls'. Don't do this. Be bold, stand up straight. It's also best to be up and about asap (if you feel up to it). It aids recovery no end.

I was discharged 12hrs post section (they REALLY needed the bed). No painkillers needed. Physically, the recovery was no problem. I was advised not to hoover as the motion of it's not good post cs but otherwise I just did normal things perhaps a bit more slowly than I otherwise would. Listen to your body.

If you do need them they'll give you drugs to take home. Bear in mind though if it's co-dydramol or any of his evil cousins, they can cause constipation!

I didn't want visitors right away but I was struggling with a traumatic delivery (before the emcs) and very tearful/blue. Say you'll let people know and then decide at the time. Be firm.

You'll be fine. The physical side of having a cs is surprisingly straightforward. You're awake, chatting etc. It's just not like any other operation.

And yes, BIG knickers.

PS My scar is invisible. As it's an elcs, they'll be pretty neat, low down cut below the hairline. I was very surprised how quickly it healed and became unnoticeable.

1. Not at all. I had a ctx half-way there (was semi-elective CS/un-rushed EMCS after failed induction) which was annoying.

1. High-waisted soft maternity trousers - I'd packed under-bump trousers which sat on my scar so DH had to get different ones.

1. Up to 24 hrs depending on your hospital's policy. It's scary and painful at first IME - make sure you have a good MW giving you hints (e.g. take a deep breath in before trying to straighten up).

1. As soon as you can stand and there is someone to help you (I had to wait for DH).

1. I went home after 5 days, but DD was in SCBU for 3 days and I had to stabilise my bp. By day 3/4 I was pootling around and generally coping fine. Might be a few weeks before you could lift a toddler IME.

1. I was fine with visitors, but they have to be the kind of visitors who'll run round making tea, entertaining older children and generally pampering you.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I am actually starting to feel a lot more positive about it all now, although unfortunately still thinking about it a lot during "loo trip wake up's" in the middle of the night!! :(

Can I also ask whether anyone had visitors before you were back round on post-natal? I'll be keen to see my mum after the op and the midwife said that there is no visitors until normal visiting times (although I also gather it depends on the midwife on the day!!).

I just now need to get through the next 13 days without labouring (considering my DD was born at 36+2, I'm struggling to believe I'll get to 38+6!!).

Wondering if a private room is an option for you?

We asked for a room as we went in, so went from recovery to the private room. Even though it wasn't official visiting hours they let DH stay as we weren't bothering anyone.

I'm not sure about your Mum being allowed in but more likely if you're not on the main PN ward.

(think our private rooms are approx £75 per night, well worth it i say for your own bathroom!)

Hello! I'm 39+1 now, managed to get the hospital to delay the cs until 40 weeks, partly from the deluded hope that the baby might still turn, and partly because at my last appointment at 38 weeks I just felt a million miles away from having the baby, so it all felt wrong. I'm glad I did - still no signs of the baby being ready to come out anytime soon (though despite me spending hours upside-down it's still breech). Should labour start before next Tues I'll have to go in for an EMCS but I was willing to risk it as there are no signs labour's imminent and late babies seem to run in my family.

I think my main worries are if the baby has breathing problems and has to be taken away, how I'll feel seeing everyone else hold my baby before me, and the long-term effects on my body and chances of having more children. But plenty of people on here seem to manage to conceive further children and to not have any real long-term effects, so that's giving me hope .

That might be an idea - maybe I could go for that the next day. It will also be nicer for when DD comes in to visit.

I think I go from theatre to recovery for a couple of hours, then a high ob's post-natal ward and then onto normal post-natal the next day (although not 100%).

Hi diyqueen - I think I've given up on the idea of baby turning now, although going to continue with moxibustion sticks as still got some left.

Have they said whether the EMCS would still be quite relaxed if you started labour before hand? I'm quite worried that I won't go another 2 weeks and obviously would prefer a more relaxed CS (they wouldn't do mine any earlier though :()!!

A bit cheesy, but I also believe things happen for a reason (or DC is just stubborn like his daddy!! :))

i found theatre very calm after labour ward. its all very relaxed

you can have your Dp/DH with you when you have your spinal put in if you want, but you will have to tell them thats what you want

i agree with all the pants commenst . i got large sized black ones from primark

i had my CS at 4.30pm and was "walking" at breakfast. not sore ( you still have drugs) but very scary and wobbly. its not a problem with getting teh feeling back, its just you have no stomach muscles left. IME getting into and out of bed and turning over in bed are teh worst things ater a cs

i went home that night as i hate hospitals, food, cheeky nurses, not getting baby to feed etc etc. i got a goody bag of lots of great drugs and my DH administerd them on a nursing rota. i love my home, good food round the clock and privacy to bleed all over the shower without being shouted at

i had a 18 month old and didnt pick him up for weeks. they can understand mummy has a sore tummy. i didn't pick him up in late pg either as i had a sore back

i am really anti social so got Dh to ban visitors for a week. he said it was on the consultants instructions as i came home so soon. Total lies but who cares, saves offending doting relatives. Remember teh older generation would have stayed in hospital for about 2 weeks and had the baby in a nursery at night so they coudl rest, even with a normal delivery

if YOU want visitors, then go ahead but on NO ACCOUNT get off the sofa or out of bed. do not answer door or make tea etc. you will have to have soemone with you anyway to watch your 2yo so let them entertain. and visitors can make their own coffee. get them to iron or vaccuum if they want to help

i admire those who say they were back to normal after 3 days but i certainly was not.i didnt pick up toddler for 6 weeks and was careful lifting other things. i felt " disabled" for about 4-6 weeks . i mean not able to do what i usually do. this annoyed me more than teh pain, which i had worried about beforehand ( see above comments on drugs)

BTW you are not silly, its only normal to be worried, its major surgery and you have to recover AND look after a newborn at teh same time. be gentle with yourself and make sure your Dh pampers you.

Hi iloveholidays! They didn't say much about EMCS, just that if it was done in the middle of the night there might be more risk of complications... (I was originally hoping to be allowed to go into labour then have CS if necessary). The baby isn't engaged at all yet and by all accounts is small so I feel better letting it be for a bit. Part of the reason for my dithering is that according to my mum I was breech until the day before I was born, when I did a massive somersault to head down and came out normally - at 10 days overdue! I know that is highly unusual, but still, that seed of doubt is there...! My partner thinks the baby has just inherited my sense of direction/map reading skills, lol!

My c-s is classed as an emergency as i was in labour and nobody knew DS2 was breech until a VE.
But it was quite relaxed (on their part) as he wasn't in any distress and i had only got as far as 6cm they felt they had time.

I would prefer to go into labour first myself for various reasons; baby might turn (my brother did just before the planned c-s & they sent my Mum home, she was hoping to meet baby that day so wasn't best pleased but he came naturally 2 days later),
baby is definitely ready to come out,
your hormones are ready for baby to arrive so feeding should be more straight forward, etc.

Yes, I hadn't thought about it like that - I suppose there are positives to going into labour first.

However, I went from 6cm to pushing in about 15 minutes so would panic if I got to 6cm!! :)

My DP has said all along that he thinks it'll happen on 17th March so now nervous it's going to kick off tonight!! :)