C Section imminent

[freelancegirl]

First baby, previous pregnancies losses, baby measuring huge already and a whole other variety of reasons mean I am scheduled in for a CS in 11 days time.

Positive stories about good experiences, happy and healthy babies, not too hideous recoveries and eventually-back-in-shape figures much appreciated please! Oh and any tips grateful too.

Oh I have had 2....the first followed a looong induction and was an emergency...MASSIVE baby and small pelvis....the recovery was fine! The 2nd was a planned section and was a really lovely and stress free birth.

My figure is quite good for someone who's had 2 sections...I was size 10 and am now a 12 due to not doing hardly any excersise...my tummy is not too bad...no big flappy bit or anything.

Planned sections are great...you know exactly when baby is coming andyou can be awake....and have music on if yo like. We asked for DH to go with the midwife and help wash DD whilst I got put back together.

I saw nothing gross. (like my insisdes!) and only felt slightly "pulled around" whilst they got her out...then they held her up over the barriers thing and she popped hr bottom lip out at me and looked very angry!

All round great time and would not change it. I hurt after each one obvously but was back to walking a mile to the shops within 7 days....important to keep active and to do as much as you feel you can...or as little! You will be just fine...honest. xx

Thanks SpokenNerd! So good to hear positive stories. Am having a bit of a chuckle at the 'no big flappy bit', which is of course a concern . I think my crop top days after over anyway, but hoping my bikini days are not completely gone.

Have been over-googling the whole thing and although there are plenty of positive stories there's also a lot of CS bashing. I was pretty active before so hope to get the balance right between gentle stretching and walking initially and not doing too much, which have heard has led to pain and scar issues.

Am pretty scared of the whole going in for the op thing but I guess having a baby soon after will distract from that...

Any more - keep 'em coming please!

I've had to CSs, they are (whisper it) really easy, you lie there and don't do a thing. I'm only slightly joking, I felt a bit anxious going in each time but the staff were lovely and really helpful.

Be prepared for loads of people being around, the anaesthetist and nurse, surgical team and nurses, paeds etc. The anaesthetist each time chatted to me, kept my mine off it. The great thing is that they are all there for you and your baby. DH looked like a gnome in the greens. The baby is out really quickly, most of the time is stitching you back up and like the SpokenNerd I didn't see anything due to the screens, apart from my babies when they came out but did feel a bit of pulling. I found it weird when they moved me after the birth, they put my legs up to move me round and I couldn't feel them, it felt like the magic trick when the assistant is sawn in half. The worse bit for me was waiting for it, it was put back a few times due to some emergencies.

If you are reasonably fit before, you will probably bounce back quite quickly, I took it steady after each one but tried to get up walking, not stooping etc the next day. Take the drugs, be careful lifting and look after yourself. I don't have a "flappy" thing either after two.

Good luck

That should read two, not to in the first sentence. Doh

Thanks tryingnottofeckup Glad it all sounds to have gone smoothly for you.

I've had a couple of 'procedures' with previous losses (all before 12 weeks - been on some hard core drugs to sustain this pregnancy) so I can kind of relate to the anticipation actually being worse than the procedure itself. Once you're on the way there's no going back either is there! One reason I was pleased the CS was deemed the best option is because it will hopefully get the baby out quickly with no huge variables as to what might go wrong for the baby (I am aware of the risks of course).

I am trying to go into it bearing in mind already that things like the numb legs, the rummaging feeling in the stomach, the worry about breathing (has anyone else had this - I've heard that because you can't really feel you're breathing people can get a bit panicky) and try to enjoy it like I am mildly intoxicated or something :)

Were you both able to have skin to skin or baby contact when you were being stitched up or only once in recovery? I am happy for DH to hold the baby whilst I am being stitched up and do the whole skin to skin afterwards if that has to happen. I've heard that is often the case.

I've never heard of the breathing thing - certainly no problems breathing myself, and I've never heard of anyone else having problems with this either. I was completely and utterly petrified before my elcs (had never had so much as a local anaesthetic before, or been in hospital, and was planning a low intervention water birth type thing), but in the event it was much better than I expected (was hardly aware of anything happening, the spinal was that good) though rather surreal - and yes, the waiting was definitely the worst bit.

Dp held dd (wrapped up in a towel) while I was stitched up and then I got a good cuddle and first breastfeed in recovery. I don't think I could have managed skin to skin in theatre really, too many wires things and I was quite shaky. I felt really good straight after mine, was up and showering the same evening, and thought recovery would be a breeze until the strong painkillers wore off a couple of days later, when it really hit me and I had a lot of pain and stiffness. So take it easy and don't get frustrated if things seem to get worse before they get better afterwards.

Dd was born with an apgar of 9, roaring furiously, and at 15 months continues to be in excellent health. I'm the same size as before I was pregnant, no overhang either, just a neat 5 inch scar (which is still improving - lumpiness and numbness so much better than a few months ago even). I'd say it took about 3 weeks to feel generally OK (e.g. to be able to cough or sneeze without clutching my tummy), 7/8 weeks to be back to normal everyday physical activity (carrying the shopping, putting pram in car etc.) and about 5 months realistically before I felt my core strength was anything like it used to be - but then I didn't do any exercise apart from walking.

Good luck and enjoy your new baby!

oh yes...and DON'T look up at all the metal shit hanging overhead...you might see a reflection of the op as my sister did!

I have had two sections,1st one was an emergency. My 2nd baby was quite big with long limbs and they were quite rough getting him out. I was jiggling about all over the place which was strange as I couldn't really feel it if you know what I mean!
Because the 2nd wasn't an emergency they lowered the screen so we could see him coming out and they showed us the sex which was really amazing.

You will be ok! Stay away from google. I had a CS and whilst I won't go on about it...it was very civilised, very quick, very friendly and no breathing issues at all. I was busy chatting with the anaesthetist and finding the look of worry on DHs face amusing. It is a major op but really nothing much to worry / freak out about. You are being watched by a large team and it can't be better care!
Be kind to yourself after and eat your meds! I have an overhang but I was neither thin nor fit before baby so I continue to be my generally round shape :) dont mind it ;) DS sleeps on and cuddles against my tummy from time to time I like it!

Relax and thank modern medicine! And don't worry! You will be ok, most people are!
Good luck and congrats!!

freelance, sorry to hear about your previous losses.

I cannot remember about the skin to skin, I remember BF DS1 in the recovery room. The second CS was for twins so it was a bit hectic, the twins were whisked off, still in theatre, to be checked as they were a bit concerned about DS2 weight, I didn't hold them in theatre but did in recovery. All in each time it was about 45 mins start to finish, so not long.

I had no problems breathing and I haven't heard about this, if you have any concerns ask the anaesthetist, my experience is that you have a v senior anaesthetist, as although the op isn't difficult there are 2, or 3, of you being anaesthetised in effect.

Ok, this is all great stuff - thanks so much. Got it - stay away from Dr Google, don't look at the big shiny metal thing, focus on DH, pop pills like sweeties... Ahh, it's just like the 90s all over again :)

Mine is also measuring big with long legs MrsH. I have also heard that about potential shaking afterwards diyqueen so will bear in mind that I might not be able to do much physical holding until in recovery afterwards.

I was super dooper fit for a while before several pregnancies in a row but went into this one a stone over my ideal weight. Still a healthy weight though. Having had thyroid issues in the past and put on/lost weight quickly my skin wasn't exactly taught so I am expecting that might do something weird afterwards around the scar. But it's so helpful to hear about healthy babies and smooth operations as well as what to do and not do afterwards.

Having not done much childcare at all I still have to get my head around the fact that (fingers crossed, all going well etc etc) I will be looking after a baby at the end of all this! Trying to be excited rather than nervous. Pram has arrived today so that's something to get to grips with later and imagine a little one in there.