Poohing my pants about CS no 2! Please can someone reassure me?

[intergalacticwalrus]

I will find out on Weds when I am going to be booked in for an elective CS, which I am having due to pelvic problems. Anyway, I am shitting myself, as last time, after an emergency CS, some of my stitches unravelled in hospital, and I had to be restitiched, and as a result I got an infection and was ill for nearly 3 months after the birth. Given that I will be looking after a toddler and a newborn, I'm not really to keen to go theough this again!!!!! I am also worried that I won;t cope, as DP won;t have a great deal of time off work, and I don;t really have anyone I can call on nearby to help out. Also worried about the driving aspect, as DP is a non driver!

Please tell me that my experience of a section 20 months ago wasn't a typical one! Please tell me I won;t be living on sodding antibiotics for months after the birth like last time, and getting almost weekly bouts of effing thrush becuase of it, on top of the CS!!

I'm poohing my pants. I am now nearly 36 weeks, and I know it's imminent. AAARRGGHHHHHHHH

I'm not surprised you are worried after all that, but i'm sure it's more likely that it will all be fine.

I have had 3 sections and my recovery got better and quicker each time.

Oh and I don't drive either but coped ok.

I've had 2 sections inter and both of mine were lovely (if a section can be described as lovely!! ). First one elective for a breech presentation and second one classed as an emergency but only because it wasn't elective if you know what I mean. I made a quicker recovery second time round for some reason. I thought I would take longer as I had a toddler to look after just like you. I was out of hospital on day 2. The chances of an infection are significantly less with an elective section although of course it can happen.

My only advice is to take it extra easy and even though you might feel well resist the urge to pick up your toddler for at least 6 weeks, try sitting next to her etc (I learned the hard way!)

I've had two sections and just like nutcraker the I recovered much better after the second one. I was much happier knowing I was having a second section, the first time was an emergancy section and I took much longer to recover. After my second I tried to get up as quickly as possible and I'm sure the movement and walking helped me to recover much quicker.

Forgot to wish you good luck! I was able to drive after 4 weeks too, if everything is ok no reason why you can't either

don't forget that elective is a completely different kettle of fish to emergency. My SIL had the most awful emergency CS and problems afterwards, and had an elective cs with her 2nd, and she said it was a fantastic experience, and she had no problems with infection afterward. She was up and about so so much faster and was able to drive in less than six weeks...Don't compare the two situations, they seem to be so different....

Just musing really, have known a lady who also had pelvic problems and consultant wanted her to have a section, after a few sessions with an osteopath they were sorted out and she went on to have a normal vaginal delivery, is this an option for you?

i had emergency cs with dd and then an elective for 2nd pregnancy with ds - 2nd one was a breeze except for that first day after the morphine wears off and i asked to leave after 2 days - im sure the electives are much calmer and less prone to anything rushed or going wrong so am sure you will be pleasantly suprised! whoever said dont pick up the toddler that needs re inforcing - also learnt the hard way! ouch..

I can sympathize and empathize, having had an 'emergency' (totally no emergency, but no chance of a vaginal delivery either and bp rising) section first time: a few of my stitches burst open and I had a mild infection which required daily dressing by the DN, and antibiotics. Plus, I had post-partum PIH (not related to the section) and had to be readmitted for blood pressure meds to be sorted out two days after going home: it wasn't fun, I felt ill and disabled for weeks when the other Mums from my antenatal group were busy having coffee and getting on with life. So I totally understand your worries...and will most likely be shaking in my shoes at 36 weeks too.
That said, I'm very likely to need a section this time around as well (23 weeks now) and although I will have to deal with the PIH again, do NOT expect a second infection. That would be incredibly bad luck. In my case, I overdid the moving around/lifting dd in hospital and burst my own stitches - so will be extra careful for the first couple of weeks this time. But in any case I would think the risk of infection with an elective is really low...and for that matter, my best friend had a horrible uterine infection after a natural delivery: there are no guarantees that way either.
Wishing you the best possible experience, and lots of help with your toddler postbirth!

intergalacticwalrus... my first cs was quite traumatice and an emergency. The second one was scheduled and it was a world of difference. I was semi-relaxed going in and much more with it during and after. Recovered much more quickly from the elective cs despite also having to look after dd, probably because the body wasn´t as traumatised through prior forced labour...

best of luck to you

inter

Can you talk to your consultant about why stitches unravelled last time and how to avoid this time? Not sure if it was bad workmanship or your getting up and about too early (or something else completely different?!) Just wondering if consultant can put your mind at rest.

In the meantime, I had an em c/s with ds1 and I recovered really well - no infection, remember 'hoarding' the pain killers by day 3 as I didn't really need them. Can't remember about driving afterwards, though suspect I never thought to challenge the '6 week ban'. I'll be having an elective c/s in October so will be looking out for you to see how you go!

IGW, remember for an elective your poor body hasn't had to miss a couple of nights sleep and go through labour. You will be in a better position to cope with the pain and will be up and about in no time. I had an em CS after 30 hours of labour and my recovery was fine. Out of bed the same day, walking around (to the hospital shops for decent grub!) the day after and then discharged on day 3. I didn't need any pain relief after I got home and generally felt very well and happy. I am sure with an elective you have a much better chance of a positive experience . Take care and good luck!

First one was horrible because I had been in labour for 2 days and was wrecked by the time they decided to do it, recovery was slow and I felt battered and bruised for ages.

Second was a lot better as I was in a much better state to deal with it and I felt the whole thing went a lot smoother. Recovery was a lot quicker too as I wasn't as sleep deprived and generally exhausted as the first time. Plus I felt a lot more in control of it all too.

Agree about speaking up and asking all the questions. Something we are not all so good at but we should ask more questions and expect more information.

I had an emergency section first time which was horrendous. I had a wound infection for 2 1/2 months and was on antibiotics which made me feel horrible and gave dd (through my milk) terrible colic and stomach pain. I waited 3 1/2 years before getting pregnant again as it was so scary.

I had an elective section in April this year which was fabulous. An elective is so calming compared to an emergency. They have more time to make the incisions, less chance of infection and much better stiching afterwards. I had dissolvable stiches the second time which I had no problems with at all. I washed the wound down with tea tree oil in previously boiled water twice a day, and kept a sanitary towel against it to keep it dry till it was completely dried up (about 4 weeks due to overhang!) but this time I had no infection at all (GP thought I'd definitely get one). I was up and about collecting my dd from a birthday party (not driving obv.) on day 5! It was a fantastic experience and the best way I would have chosen to give birth.

I hope yours goes well this time. Talk about your concerns with your consultant and prepare the best you can. Get the tea tree oil in and the maternity pads (boots 99p ones are the best for wounds (useless for your actual pants) as they are so soft) oh and lots of arnica too - worked a treat.

Emergency sections and elective sections are SO SO different. I'm sure it will be a much better experience for you.

Thanks everyone. Its good to hear positive experiences of 2nd/3rd whatever CSs. I am going to try and make the most of DPs time at home this time, and not rush things like I did before (When DS was 5 days old, we walked to the supermarket which is a good 2 miles away. Not a good idea really) It will be online supermarket shopping all the way for the first few weeks I think!!!! I think I will probably find the bit after DP goes to work the hardest, as it will probably be just over a week after the baby is born. Still, I am sure there are 1000s of women who manage. I just wish I had more family etc around me!

I sympathise totally because I had a shedload of nasty unpredicted little problems after my first, supposedly perfectly OK elective section (my stitches popped too ).
I really didn't want my 2nd elective but like you had no choice.
Agree with Jamiesam - I think you might want to get an appointment with your consultant, or when you are in next week, ask to go over your notes from last time IN DETAIL and get him or her to explain to you what happened and what, if anything, can be done to avoid a re-run.
All c-sections are different and some surgeons are lighter-handed than others.
Ask about suturing policies - maybe they have changed, or can be reviewed in the light of your wound rupture. Ask about how and when surgical drains are used at your hospital.
Ask if you can be first on the list that morning (usually emergencies and multiples go first as we all know).
Hopefully all will be fine IGW. Scoff your arnica, pack your spatone, your big pants, your peppermint oil and Dettox wipes and the best of luck go with you

Don't let the first time put you off! I had awful infections first time round too, and when had second (pelvic probs meant had to) consultant really sympathetic, and gave me a tummy tuck to get rid of the scarring.

I must be the only person whose tummy grew in the weeks after childbirth!!!

I had an emergency followed by an elective. And the elective was so much nicer. If I wanted another child, I would definately have a another elective.