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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

ELCS tomorrow and nervous.

23 replies

AmIGoingMad · 02/07/2013 22:34

I have an elcs tomrw at 40+8 after breech presentation wasn't picked up til 40+2. I'm looking forward to having it in some ways as I just want baby here now and my first birth with DS was a difficult experience. BUT I am really nervous now! Also not sure how I'm going to go from midnight with no water- I've been so thirsty throughout this pregnancy.

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DIYandEatCake · 02/07/2013 22:52

All the best, of course it's natural to be scared! I had an elcs for breech too and the waiting was by far the worst part. I was completely terrified beforehand but once it was actually under way it was surprisingly fine - and once the baby was safely out the rest of the op went in a blur. The thirst is hard, my op was delayed til lunchtime and I was desperate for water by then, feeling faint and with a thumping headache - but it's a short term discomfort and you'll be able to drink as much as you want afterwards. Good luck and enjoy your lovely new baby tomorrow

Original poster

AmIGoingMad · 02/07/2013 22:58

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!

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ShowOfHands · 02/07/2013 23:05

Oh good luck. You'll be just fine. I was in labour for 3 days with ds but having already had an emcs with my first, I knew they were preparing for another emcs. I was nil by mouth from midnight until when he was born at 3.30pm the next day and oh dear God I was thirsty. I had such a headache. BUT they will put you on a drip and you rehydrate pretty quickly. I spend most of the cs talking about custard.

Please don't worry about any of it. My second cs was a v positive experience. Anything in particular you want to know?

My top tip is that if you feel shoulder pain afterwards, like you've slept funny, it's trapped air from the op and they can give you peppermint tea which is a WONDER.

Get up and about as soon as you're ready, listen to your body, stay on top of your painkillers if you find you need them and enjoy your new baby.

Original poster

AmIGoingMad · 02/07/2013 23:11

Thank you! Just wish now that I knew what time I'll be. Won't find out til tomrw though I suppose. Fingers crossed it won't be too late.

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ShowOfHands · 02/07/2013 23:16

You'll go in, be given a rough order of ops. And then there's a good chance you'll be bumped as emergency cases crop up. Be prepared to wait for a while. I do have a couple of friends who were in and all done by 9.30am but most had to wait as things happened during the day.

evelynj · 02/07/2013 23:35

Good luck-my 2nd in 2 weeks. First was fine. I'm never without water but the drips they put in will hydrate you, just need to wait til the op.

The anaethsetist (SP?) will stay with you at your head end and talk to you throughout which I found really reassuring. My mw was reminding me last week that once you're in theatre & had spinal block, when they start the op, baby is out within a few minutes & then you don't really notice anything else.

It will be about half an hour all in all for the op-ask what number yo are on the list when you arrive, (my hospital have 3 elcs per day).

I'd recommend asking someone to bring peppermint tea bags, a packet of windeze & some arnica pillules all to help afterwards. I think the arnica helped me recover & will use again.

Also, make sure to call for someone to pass you the baby rather than trying to do it yourself afterwards.

Shout if you've any other concerns

Good luck & update us afterwards :)

Pinebarrens · 02/07/2013 23:57

good luck. I've had 2 ELCS for medical reasons. Both were extremely positive experiences for both myself &DH.

The staff will all make you feel at ease.

My only gripe for the first was the music choice, they only had 2 cd's, Robbie Williams or Tom Jones, DD was born to Delilah (she is not called that!)

Enjoy those lovely new born cuddles.

Original poster

AmIGoingMad · 03/07/2013 06:12

Thank you all! I will update later! Can't stop shaking but at I get to meet my baby today

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JimbosJetSet · 03/07/2013 06:23

That is so very exciting - good luck!!!!

SoulTrain · 03/07/2013 06:25

Good luck OP, do you know what you're having?

I've had an EMCS and agree with all previous points, you might want to get something to help with constipation also. If you are planning to breastfeed, ask them to show you how to feed lying down.

Good luck, let us know how it was when you have time.

On your baby!

ripsishere · 03/07/2013 06:36

Smashing. I've only had one baby, she was born by ELCS and it was great.
She was perfectly formed, none of that squashed upness that V birthed children get - although she did bear a startling resemblance to Chairman Mao...
Hope you meet yours soon.

JimbosJetSet · 03/07/2013 13:27

How are you doing, AmIGoingMad?

Original poster

AmIGoingMad · 03/07/2013 22:08

Hello!
Baby Elodie Grace born today by c section. 8lb 15!
Will update properly when I get the chance.

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JimbosJetSet · 03/07/2013 22:09

Congratulations!!! Lovely name. Wishing you all the very best

Pinebarrens · 03/07/2013 22:10

yay! congratulations

ripsishere · 04/07/2013 02:44

Congrats. I bet, given the size of her you are glad you had the section.

ripsishere · 04/07/2013 02:45

Sorry, lovely name too for you and a for her for later

evelynj · 04/07/2013 14:23

Really lovely, congratulations!

Hope you have a speedy recovery & enjoy your happy bundle!

Original poster

AmIGoingMad · 06/07/2013 06:35

Here's the update I promised! As in postnatal thread.

We went in ready for section. All nervous but geared up for it and at that point I knew it was the right thing for us after the awful first labour and birth. They then took me over to labour ward, and decided to scan me just before going over to theatre. And she'd turned back from breech so consultant decided that the c section could not take place and I'd be sent home to see what happened ! I had a meltdown and explained in no uncertain terms ( whilst in tears and hyperventilating ) that I would be going nowhere until the section was done. I know its major surgery and like to think that I'm educated enough to make an informed decision. To have everything change at the last minute was too much- especially as they'd decided not to scan to check when I'd asked them to the week before! That combined with hormones at 40+8 gave me a strength I didn't think I had. And the conviction that it was the right thing too. The consultant agreed in the end and off we went to theatre. Elodie was born and I was told that it was very likely that I'd have ended up there for emcs given her size and my previous birth.

The whole section was a very positive and calm experience ( apart from the arguments beforehand) and I'm so glad that I stuck to my guns ( not something I'm usually very good at). They talked me through everything. The spinal worked first time and was straightforward. The anaesthetist checked with me all the time that I was happy and not feeling weird. First of all I felt ever so slightly distanced from the room but she sorted that as soon as I told her. Yes I could feel them moving my tummy about but it was fine. Nowhere near as unpleasant as some had said it would be. And you were totally right- as soon as Elodie was born, the rest of the time disappeared as she was placed next to my cheek and was our sole focus.
Then bk to recovery which was again very positive and lovely to have that skin to skin bonding and time for us to be just us.
On the ward the mws were great and kept encouraging me to buzz anytime I needed anything as soon as DH left.
My only concern was that they forgot about my compression tights and I had to keep asking for them. And at one point they lost my meds chart so I had to wait for painkillers!

We were discharged the following day. I'm pretty sore now but better than I thought I'd be. I definitely feel better mentally and less wiped out than after my 'natural' birth. I'm so glad that I stuck to my guns when they were going to change plans at the very last minute. It was definitely the right thing for us.

Sorry for such a long update post- I think it's been therapy for me! Thank you for your messages of encouragement and congratulations! They really helped!

OP posts:

TK1930 · 06/07/2013 10:19

Well done enjoy your newborn. I'm due to have a section in a few weeks & stories like yours make me feel much more calm :-)) x

ExcuseTypos · 06/07/2013 10:25

Congratulations

And well done for sticking up for yourself! I've had to do it and they do tend to listen if you stick to your guns. You did the right thing!

evelynj · 07/07/2013 15:29

That's great news, well done. MKes me feel better for my elcs tomorrow week!

Enjoy your little bundle x

Original poster

AmIGoingMad · 08/07/2013 07:43

I'm glad that my experience has reassured you. It really was a positive one and whilst I'd already decided to stop at 2, if I were to have another child I wouldn't hesitate to go for elcs again. Just make sure that you rest up afterwards and don't rush to do anything so that you give your body the time it needs to recover.

Good luck! Come back and update!

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