<<<<<<<<SPUB>>>>>>>>

[pucca]

Hi there, thanks for offering to answer my questions

So do you think having a section is much better than what happened 1st time around? I have been a bit up and down tbh, i feel a bit of a fraud having a section, i don't know why actually, just some days i know it is the right thing to do then i feel like i shouldn't really be having a section...weird!!Having said that, my baby (who is a boy also) is looking like he is gonna be a big un, estimated weight (growth scan) 6.7 lb @ 32 weeks lol, so i don't think a vaginal birth would be a good idea anyway lol.

Did you take arnica? a lovely MN'er posted me some, but still not sure when i am to take it.

How weird was it actually having the section done? This is what i keep thinking about i am fairly scared to tell the truth

Sorry for all the questions, it is just so lovely to have someone who has gone/going through what i have/will iykwim.

So pleased the section went well for you, and now you can enjoy your little boy.

Hi Pucca,
I'll try to answer what I can as honestly as I can!
First up, I think that you can have good or bad deliveries be they elective or emergency sections or vaginal deliveries. I know exactly what you mean about feeling a bit of a fraud and wondering if a section was actually the way to go. That wasn't helped by a slightly ambivalent - well, you could try a vaginal delivery attitude from a couple of SHO's /Registrars when I wanted a definitive yes or no re a section. However, on the way in to theatre and afterwards on the ward, several of the midwives commented that they thought a section had been the right course of action based on how things went before. I fund that really reassuring.
My big touchstone re the section was that it would have a more predictable outcome. I knew that it would be sore and that I'd be laid up afterwards but traded that off against the gamble that a vaginal delivery would go ok. There's a post on from spudballoo who had a 4th degree tear where she mentions the porridge test and having to have a colostomy and that really made me glad of having the section.
The section was ok. It was strange and I was also scared though in a calm way (can't explain it!)
They put a canula drip thing in my arm, fitted me with surgical stockings and I walked to theatre in my theatre gown. DH had to wait outside til the spinal had been done. I remember having really sweaty hands and thinking that the baby would be out within the hour.
I had to sit ont he side of the operating table and have the spinal put in. They give you a local first and that was fine - no worse than any blood sample!
There were 6 people in theatre and they all just got on with their jobs. The spinal went in and I began to feel numb in my legs. They moved me on to my back and started to put up the screen. DH arrived and sat holding my hand. They tested me with cold spray to see where I did and didn't have feeling and then they started!
I could feel more than I had anticipated though it wasn't painful at all. The incision felt like someone drawing on my skin and after that just a lot of rummaging and pulling. I think they are quite rough but it is honestly okay.I got the shakes a bit from the spinal but no itching or vomiting. Everyone is different so you could have all or none of those things happen. TBH, worrying about vomiting took my mind off of proceedings!
Once the baby is out you have a lovely focus whilst they repair you! That takes about half an hour IIRC. I had a volderol (sp?) pessary put in and the catheter also so was in no pain afterwards! Spent abut half an hour in recovery then up to the ward.
It has been an uncomfortable few days but in the scheme of things it's a short term discomfort managed by good pain relief! I've been popping arnica good style and found it really helped. You can start taking it a couple of days before delivery.
I have had pain in weird places like my shoulder and ribs and that has surprised me but I guess that with the pulling about it's maybe not that strange after all!
Dunno if that helps at all. Happy to try to answer any more, though!
Lovely you're also having a boy. If he's as big as he may well be you have to think about how that would play with a vaginal delivery, too.
The main thing is that you and he are ok at the end of the birth regardless of how the birth happens!
Best wishes, xx

Pucca - I had a vaginal delivery with DD1 but, with DD2 I knew from very early on that I needed a CS as I had placenta praevia. Even tho' DD1's birth had been traumatic - ventous and forceps with an episiotomy - I still felt terrible that I couldn't have DD2 "normally". But looking back, of the two births, the CS was by far the best. My experience was v similar to Spub's (although I did feel so nauseous that they took pity on me and gave me a wee shot of morphine!). The aftercare was fantastic, tho', with such efficient pain relief that I really didn't have anything more than mild discomfort after the op. Because of this, I was able to enjoy DD2 far more than had been the case with DD1. I think it's perfectly normal to feel guilty/anxious/sad if you can't have a vaginal birth, but Spub is right - the important thing is that you are both OK after the birth

Thanks for answering all my questions Spub, it is fab to have someone to chat to who can relate so well I did have a spinal to be repaired after having my dd so i am not worried about that one bit, i guess it is more the aftermath so to speak i am worried about, the recovery, and this sounds really silly to even think about risking myself but i think the main reason i keep thinking about the what if's about a vaginal delivery is the fact i will have to stay in hospital longer after having a section and thinking about being away from my dd is doing my head in lol (sounds pathetic i know).

I guess the waiting is the worst bit, just wish i could get it over and done with now

GingerG...Thanks for your reply too, it is nice to hear different experiences and advice

Pucca, no worries, lovely. You are so welcome to any advice that I can possibly offer!
For what it's worth, I had the section Thurs eve and was asked if I wanted to go home on Sat afternoon! Did in fact go home on Sunday.
I have been a bit sore and limited in mobility but today feel much better. If you have your bloke or some other help at home it will be fine. I really missed dd, too but everyone else was making a huge fuss of her and she got loads of presents so was quite happy, really!
The waiting is truly a pain in the ass. At least I got a bit of a head start.
Hugs.