ELCS - a million questions

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DolomitesDonkey · 01/02/2014 07:02

I had some problems the second time with low bp, in fact I nearly passed out on the table and they had to briefly halt whilst the anaesthetist gave me a shot and some oxygen. I did puke during the op the first time. Again, anaesthetist to the rescue who held my bowl.

Feeling returned within about 3 hours I think, tbh you're not even trying to move so it's not relevant.

The catheter was put in before the op and it was taken out the following morning - I wasn't expected to be up and walking for 24 hours anyway.

Both times I was a little constipated but was given good rye bread and everything moved without intervention, pain or drama.

DolomitesDonkey · 01/02/2014 07:03

Recovery was about 90 minutes each time and my son came to visit about 6 hours after the op.

PartyConfused · 01/02/2014 07:09

Lots of qs!
Think I could feel my legs just a few hours later. I didnt get out of bed until next morning but I had her at 8pm.
My bp did plummet during surgery and I felt really tired (wanted to close my eyes) rather than sick or dizzy. But the anaestatist was brilliant.
Not sure about dd1, I don't see why not.
Nowhere near as much bleeding as with my vaginal birth. It was definitely a lot lot lighter.
Think catheter came out next day-not sure. And don't remember about pooing!
Yes the injections. I wasnt told about any of this beforehand so was rather shocked! I give myself injections anyway for another health concern so I didnt worry too much about this. But I can see why most people would struggle! I have no idea what they would do if you Couldn't bring yourself to do it. Could anyone else do it for you?

Good luck-i much prefered it to the vaginal birth. I know I was lucky, but I recovered so much quicker. The next day was painful but very manageable, and after that was ok.
Congrats in advance

NorthEasterlyGale · 01/02/2014 10:52

When did feeling return to your legs after the spinal?

Can't remember to be honest - sometime later the same day (DS1 was born late morning). Wasn't in a rush to be honest - not like I was planning on going anywhere!

Did the anaesthetic make you puke or dizzy?

I did throw up in recovery, but the lovely midwife had a bowl to hand.

My blood pressure is low as it is and worried that'll send it to the floor.

My blood pressure is quite low in pregnancy (well, compared to normal) and I did feel a bit dizzy / spacey shortly after the spinal went in. However, the anaesthetist warned me it might happen and told me to just let him know so a quick word to him and another lovely injection levelled things out nicely and I felt fine for the rest of surgery.

How long were you in the recovery unit?

Couple of hours on recovery in the labour ward then down to the maternity ward (which is when my care went from fabulous to dire, but that's another story).

Will my dd1 be allowed to visit the first day?

Depends on your hospital policy I think. I'm in for my second CS three weeks on Monday and have no intention of DS1 coming to visit to be honest, but that's cause he's young and would just be a handful for my DH and a nightmare for everyone else!

First walk/shower, did you just err, bleed everywhere?! I'm desperately blood phobic and after dd1 I had a pph and I've never experienced such horrific terror before.

Nah, no problems there. I took tena lady pants to wear as well as maternity pads for an extra layer of confidence and it was fine.

How long were you catheterised?

Can't remember to be honest (you wouldn't think it was only 20 months ago, it seems like sooo much longer!) - think it was until the next morning. It was put in after the spinal was in place so didn't feel a thing and having it taken out was also fine. Did get bored with having to pee in a cardboard pan thing afterwards so they could measure it though. I know they're just making sure all is well, but jeez, enough with the pee volume obsession!

Do they give you something to get you pooing again?

Nope.

What's this I hear about self-injecting for DVT afterwards?

Yep, I had a week of injections afterwards; once I was home, DH did them for me. Sting a little but don't really hurt. Might leave a few bruises.

Overall, I really enjoyed the actual section and the time in recovery. I was in for 3 nights and that time on the maternity ward was awful. I have advised them that I will not be staying longer than 24 hours this time unless there is a specific medical reason to keep us in - the care I received from the community team once home last time made me realise that I will recover better at home if there are no reasons to stay in.

Do ask if you have any more questions as I know it helps to put your mind at ease.

MyDarlingClementine · 01/02/2014 13:49

Spinal: feeling returned gradually after a few hours, had very pleasant i thought shoots of feeling like little fireworks going off in legs..

Anaesthetic: yes i felt really woozy and horrid, but for a few mins or seconds before they corrected it.

Recovery: it seemed very short but DH said a few hours, I was lost in joy of new baby!

DD visit: yes I am sure she will be allowed, I had mine come next day I think....but could have managed first day.

walk to shower: there was little lochia for me! much less than Vag because they clean you out...there was blood but quite light. I too am phobic and terrified of a haemorrhage. I have to say my first period was awful...but all fine after op.

Catheter: strangely this was one of my biggest fears..it was painless whilst in, a strange sensation but not painful coming out and first wee, fine. I could have had mine out earlier but I fainted and decided to keep it in a little longer.

Yes, they offer laxatives, I had something every day, but out of everything recommended on here and by hospital it was syrup of figs that worked best.

I did not have to self inject, they told me I would but as I was mobile they said I was fine....however I know a very sqeamish person had to do it and was fine when got hang on it. its small machine that shoots it in, or his was anyway.

I totally understand your nerves but compared to labour and child birth in that way, its soooooo much better, its calm, controlled, you will have team of experts round you, it will be painless and quick! I just felt I started way off the back foot first time, I was a mess, hormonally, emotionally and physically first time, this time I was prepared, and ready in every sense. It was wonderful. Its odd, being awake during major surgery but when you see that little face....(blub).

Please look into this cot though, I am sure you have already done research, but this cot was intrinsic to my recovery, we got ours seond hand 70 quid and its been a life saver, moses down stairs, this by bed.

www.mumsnet.com/reviews/nursery/cots-cribs-cotbeds/9963-arms-reach-universal-co-sleeper-bedside-cot

cravingcake · 01/02/2014 16:09

I had elcs 11 days ago with DC2 and can honestly say the recovery has been a walk in the park compared to what I went through with DC1 (4th degree tear, pph, shoulder dystocia).

Lochia - loads less and almost stopped now

Anaesthetic - was probably the worst bit but doesn't take too long for the numbness to set in. I found I had a strange pins & needles feeling through my legs but was completely numb just strange.

During the actual operation I felt a little light headed and woozy at times but the anaesthetist was great and kept me topped up with whatever was needed.

First wee - I managed to walk to the loo with help from a midwife, tried to go but couldn't feel my muscles and was taken back to bed in a wheelchair as I felt very faint. After a few more hours I was taken in a wheelchair and was fine. I had low blood pressure for a good 24 hours and had to keep the cannula in my hand until 24 hours later which was the most uncomfortable thing.

I lost 700mls of blood this time and didn't know about it until they took blood to check my iron levels as my blood pressure was still low. I am taking tablets but also have lactulose so no problems.

My DD was born at 11.31am, and my DS was able to visit me that evening and I felt good. I was in recovery for about 3 hours after the op.

I wasn't prescribed clexane (the injection to stop clotting) but have ended up needing it when I came out, at a high double dose as a fluid lump I have always had in my leg suddenly went hard and have had it scanned and I have a blocked varicose vein. I'm very very squeamish so didn't think I'd be able to do the jabs but it really isn't that bad as your tummy is quite numb so you don't feel the needle, just give yourself a good 5 minutes to sit down to do it. Or ask the midwife to do it for you.

Painwise, every day is a big improvement on the day before and I am hardly in any pain now from my scar but I am taking things very easy and have had my mum staying with me to help look after my toddler DS. I would highly recommend having this sort of help if its available.

If you want to pm me with any other questions please feel free to.

Tranquilitybaby · 01/02/2014 23:29

Ah bless you so many worries.

The sister in recovery asked me to keep trying to wiggle my toes and the feeling came back a bit within an hour and pretty much fully in a few hours. I was in recovery by my choice around 2 hours, as I started to get some period type pain so had a not phone top up. I was otherwise comfortable and bf my DS pretty much the whole time.

My bp did drop a bit during the section but they kept in top of it and gave me oxygen and an anti sickness medication as I felt a bit sick.

DD visited at 2pm that day and I mostly felt fine as long as I kept on the morphine.

Blood loss afterwards is general much less than a natural birth. I had a shower the next day no problem and recovered my bandage.

Meglet · 02/02/2014 08:37

When did feeling return to your legs after the spinal? For both my EMCS and ELCS I had the ops in the morning, 9-10am, and the feeling started to come back around 3pm.

Did the anaesthetic make you puke or dizzy? Yes, but only after the op. Each time I was sick mid-afternoon. TBH that was the worst patch for me, once the heavy duty drugs had left my system I felt a lot more human.

My blood pressure is low as it is and worried that'll send it to the floor. I have the same problem. The theatre team were aware of it, there were no problems in theatre.

How long were you in the recovery unit? Until 10pm that day, then wheeled to post-natal ward. After my ELCS I didn't shut up until I got a private room, much better recovery than the EMCS post-natal ward hell.

Will my dd1 be allowed to visit the first day? Possibly. My then 22mo DS was allowed to toddle in to see his baby sister. He was in a very cute mood snd charmed the nurses. He only stayed for 10 mins.

First walk/shower, did you just err, bleed everywhere?! Both times I didn't get out of bed until about 10am the following day. I refused to move until my (X)P arrived because I knew he'd help me whereas the overstretched midwives wouldn't. Some blood in the shower, but I knew to expect it and I'm ok with blood. I just felt very fragile so P had to help me.

How long were you catheterised? 24hrs both times. They tried to take it out around 8am after my ELCS but I refused to let them do it until my P arrived. I'd had a rough time on post-natal after my EMCS and started putting my foot down after my ELCS. TBH I liked not getting up to pee all the time.

Do they give you something to get you pooing again? Sadly they gave me lactulose after my EMCS which sent my IBS into overdrive and left me in a state, constantly on the loo and leaving DS crying while I had to dash off . I saw my GP before my ELCS and said that if they wouldn't prescribe stool softener after my ELCS I wasn't going to breastfeed, he was fine about giving me movicol, my stomach and bowels were much happier. I also cut back on food the day before my ELCS and stuck to soup + herb teas after the op, I didn't want heavy food in my body until I felt like I'd perked up.

What's this I hear about self-injecting for DVT afterwards? I've heard about this too, but never done it. I'm very fit though, maybe I was considered low risk so didn't have to do it .

MrsCDNinUK · 02/02/2014 08:59

I've had two ELCS and they were both really good experiences. Recovery was quite easy. I was driving within about 10 days. I should add that I had them both in Canada so there may be a few differences. I'll have my 3rd here in about 4 weeks.

With my first I had no nausea with the spinal but I did have it with my second during the surgery. The anesthesiologist told me ahead of time to tell him if I was starting to feel nausea and he would add some anti-nausea medication to my IV which would work almost immediately and he did. I didn't have any nausea in recovery.

I think it took about 90 minutes to feel my legs both times after.

I had visitors mid-day on the first day (my c-section was at 8:30 a.m.), including my son who was 16 months old at the time. I felt pretty good.

My catheter was in for about 24 hours. It's actually a good thing because you don't have to worry about getting up at all so I didn't mind it. I walked around a little about 12 hours later and more the next day. I had my first shower about 36 hours later, which felt amazing although it was very quick. Probably could have had one earlier.

I think they gave me a stool softener to take if I wanted and it wasn't a big deal.

DVT self-injections are not done in Canada. I didn't get anything so this will be a new experience for me. That said, I have no problem with self-injections, just not something that is done in Canada or I've ever heard of with tonnes of friends needing c-sections.

For me, both times, my most discomfort was the 2nd night - about 36 hours post-op. I think the pain medication from the spinal wears off around then and it's always been when I felt the worst but even then, not THAT bad.

Really, my c-section experiences have been great. Hopefully it will be the same here. There are some definite differences (i.e. not having the promise of having a private room with DH being able to stay is a HUGE one.)

Good luck! I'm sure you'll find this experience much different from your last.

HannahLaRouge · 02/02/2014 09:13

Ok,here we go :-)
I had an elcs 15 weeks ago because my son was breech,and I was terrified. It turned out to be the most wonderful,calm,amazing experience I've ever had,and I'd happily do it again tomorrow.
I went in at 7am,had a cup of tea and did all the paperwork. My blood pressure was a bit high so they did a blood test to check everything was ok,then I was allowed to walk down to theatre. My husband went and got scrubbed up while they did the spinal (which hurts a little bit) and your legs very quickly start to go numb. Once they've checked the anaesthetic is working properly - it did make me a bit nauseous and shaky,but not unbearably so - then they start the operation,and baby is out withing ten minutes. It takes about half an hour to close up,then I was taken through to recovery and had skin to skin with my boy :-) all done by 11am. The feeling came back in my legs a couple of hours later, I had visitors at 3pm,catheter out and up for a shower about 5pm. I did bleed quite a lot (sorry!) but the midwives look after you really well. I was sent home early the next afternoon with tons of painkiller - I was off them after a week,and I had to self inject for dvt but I couldn't bring myself to do it,so my husband did it for me.
Hope that helps! Honestly,you'll be fine - it's a great experience.

georgie22 · 02/02/2014 09:37

When did feeling return to your legs after the spinal? Did the anaesthetic make you puke or dizzy? My blood pressure is low as it is and worried that'll send it to the floor. How long were you in the recovery unit? Will my dd1 be allowed to visit the first day? First walk/shower, did you just err, bleed everywhere?! I'm desperately blood phobic and after dd1 I had a pph and I've never experienced such horrific terror before. How long were you catheterised? Do they give you something to get you pooing again? What's this I hear about self-injecting for DVT afterwards?

See, a million questions, sorry. I tried to whittle my list down!

I had a ELCS last August following a 3b tear with dd. It's still fresh enough in my mind to remember the details.

The feeling in my legs started to return quite quickly. I was able to start moving my feet once I was back to the ward from recovery. I had ds at 12.15 and got out of bed at about 5 I think after I'd be assisted with a bed bath by the staff!! They helped me sit up and get out of bed.

The spinal made me shake but didn't make me dizzy or sick. The anaesthetist was excellent and was adjusting the rate of the IV fluids dependent on my BP.

I think I was in the recovery room for about 45 minutes. It was very relaxed in there - I had skin to skin with ds and he was weighed. Dh was with me all of the time.

Our dd visited during the afternoon so very quickly after my section. She was fine even though I was in bed.

I did gush a bit of blood when I stood up after sitting in the chair for a while. Think it was just the effects of gravity as it stopped very quickly. We called the staff who came and sorted me out. I then walked to the toilet and got myself sorted out with no problems. Bleeding was lighter than following my vaginal birth but carried on for several weeks but only small amounts.

They took my catheter out after 12 hours. No problems following removal. They ask you to wee into a bedpan for the first few wees.

I think they gave me some laxatives in hospital but don't think they discharged me with anything. I ate loads of dried apricots and took some over the counter laxatives as it became difficult once I got home.

They use a screening tool to assess the need for anti-coagulants post op so I only had injections on the day of surgery and the following day. I had TED stockings that I was supposed to wear for 6 weeks but I wore them for a few days and took them off (I'm a nurse so a crap patient!!).

I think the worst bit post op was the awful wind pain which went on for ages and was agony. They gave me peppermint water for this in hospital which was a help but I then read about peppermint not being recommended if breastfeeding so stopped this.

Generally not too bad an experience - recovery from my tear took longer. I was a rubbish patient though and did too much too quickly which probably contributed to me getting a wound infection. I breastfed with no problems with my milk coming in at day 3. Wishing you all the best - the staff in theatre were fantastic and it was very calm and controlled which helped put my very nervous dh at ease. I was actually more concerned about him than myself!!

georgie22 · 02/02/2014 09:39

Sorry I copied your questions and then forgot to delete them before posting!!

Booboostoo · 02/02/2014 10:50

I was in recovery for two hours, and the feeling started to return to my feet by the time I was back in the maternity ward. It did take until that evening (ELCS at 11am) for the feeling to return completely but it didn't make a difference as I didn't get up until the next morning.

No dizzyness, but my BP was normal so I don't know if that's a contributing factor. Very little blood, apparently the surgeon was able to clean most of it up at the time. No injections. My catheter was removed the next day, my first pee was a tiny bit painful, no problems with wind or poo.

I didn't have any other DCs at the time but the hospital had a no DCs policy.