Possible ELCS and terrified

[Slh122]

I'm 37 weeks tomorrow and it looks like the baby is breech. Going for a scan tomorrow to confirm baby's position but I'm going to decline the ECV which will mean c-section at 39 weeks.
I'm scared. I know there's still time for baby to turn back round but the midwife told me in first pregnancies it's a lot harder after 36 weeks because there's less room.
And I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous in the scheme of things, but the thing I'm most worried about is the catheter. It seems so unpleasant. I think I'm actually getting more scared about a c section than I was about a VB.

Oh bless you, don't worry!

Funnily enough, I had exactly the same thoughts before giving birth. I ended up with a crash CS, and yes had the dreaded catheter. And you know what - I barely noticed it! It was at worst uncomfortable - definitely didn't hurt - and was removed within hours of the operation. I had the sensation of something being pulled out of me (well durr, of course) when it was removed, but again this didn't hurt.

It was a bit bleurgh having a bag of piss next to my bed, but honestly the excitement of a new baby was more than enough to take my mind of it!

Good luck!

Hi SLH. It's understandable to worry when your plans change so suddenly, but just coming on to say I had an EMCS with DD after a failed induction, and it was a really good experience. Everyone in theatre was calm, friendly and reassuring, and I got to cuddle and bf DD straight away. I don't even remember the catheter and it certainly didn't hurt.

Make sure you take all the pain relief offered after the operation as it really helps the recovery. I was able to lift and hold DD straight away but things like getting up and sitting down had to be done carefully for a couple of weeks.

Going to have an ELCS with DS due in April.

Good luck!

The catheter is the best bit!

They put it in after you have the spinal, so you don't feel it go in. Then you have the luxury of not needing the loo while you recover a bit, regain use of your legs, and cuddle your baby :)

I was terrified if the removal, and made the midwife wait until after I had my morning drugs! It wasn't painful at all - the removal felt like I was doing a huge, hot wee in the bed (quite a feeling of release and relief, actually!).

It didn't hurt going in, while it was in, or coming out. I actually think they should let you have one from about 35 weeks until the baby is 3 months old - would take the inconvenience of loo trips out of late pregnancy and the newborn days!

Good luck with your ELCS if you need one. It really isn't the end of the world, and there is no need to be scared of the catheter :)

The dreaded catheter doesn't go in until you are numb and I never felt a thing when they pulled it out.
I'm currently 35 weeks and having another c section at 39 weeks but at this point I would actually pay good money for someone to insert a catheter so I could have a good nights kip and not have to pee every half hour .

Thanks everyone :) I know there's not a lot of point being worried - baby has to come out one way or another!

Please don't worry! I had one 7 weeks ago, didn't even know the catheter had gone in and it wasn't painful at any point, certainly not getting it out! I was most frightened about getting the anaesthetic in, but that was fine too. In fact, not one thing I'd worried about actually happened, it was calm, lovely, straightforward. Absolutely great!

I'm with happy, after getting up to pee 9 times a night in the last month of pregnancy, I LOVED the catheter, best bit of my ELCS!

I'm getting worried too as my baby has been transverse at every appointment I've had and I'm now 35 weeks. Previously I was terrified of a vaginal birth but had come to terms with it and am now terrified of a CS! I've had a good pregnancy, have kept fit and not put on much weight and I'll feel like I've somehow failed at the last hurdle if I have to have an CS. It's not so much the operation than the recovery that bothers me - I hate hospitals and have heard bad things about postnatal wards and worry that it'll be harder to breastfeed and I won't be my usual active self for ages again etc. Having said that I guess ELCS is better than EMCS but it's still major surgery.

I was in the same position as you; they discovered baby was breech at 38 weeks, I refused ecv and had a c-section at 39 weeks. I was really upset and worried about it beforehand. Don't worry! I had an amazing experience. I didn't feel the catheter at all and thought it was brilliant not having to get up to go to the loo! I had no problems with breastfeeding either.

I had a elc for diffent reasons and was terrified of it (previous vb had been positive experience and I wanted a repeat!) although DH found it much easier.

It was done early in the morning and I had a lovely first day with DD - I don't think I'd really thought about the catheter beforehand and barely noticed it. It was a pain when I wanted to put on PJs after my first shower and couldn't work out whether to put it through the leg or not, so I just out a nightie back on. That was the sum total of my difficulties!

Only advice - take all the painkillers offered, especially for the wind (which weirdly gave me a lot of pain in my shoulder).

My catheter went in before I was numb due to the situation. Even so I didn't feel a thing and it was fine. I was very conscious of it ( been in care all my working life and know how easy it is to pull them by accident) but it. Was lovely. Nice break from peeing every thirty minutes!! Didn't feel it come out either just like a sensation

you maybe have had baby by now, but I too was strangely more worried about catheter than anything else like spinal block!
anyway it was fine, was able to wee fine afterwards, it was all ok!

Same here! Been breech since 28 weeks and now at 36. Trying ECV next Weds and very pessimistic of situation as low levels of amniotic fluid now and strong tummy muscles. Off for reflexology before then, which the consultant was supportive of. But if the ECV fails then it'll be an ELCS a week and a half later. I will be very disappointed as this is my one and only chance - I'm 43 - so would have like to have done it myself. C'est la vie as they say. As long as the baby is ok I'll be happy :-)
Also been trying the bum in air, on all fours, three times a day without success - it hurts too much as baby's head hasn't half bruised my ribs.
Hope everyone's ELCS goes well. Always reassuring to know others are going through same thing and have same fears xxx

Try not to worry, the catheter will hopefully be put in once your epidural is sighted so you won't feel a thing.

I took my own pillow into theatre which was comforting and smelt like home. It's the little things.

You will be just fine! X