Cesarean...

[Ljialnye]

I was informed today that I will be having a cesarean with baby no.2 due to being traumatised by vaginal birth with first baby, (please don't think I'm a drama queen, I have had panic attacks constantly since finding out I was pregnant). Can anybody give me a little information about before having a caesarean, during or after? Just anything that might be of comfort? I'm a little upset being told I can't lift my toddler for up to six weeks afterwards, is this true? Help!! :(

So sorry you had a traumatic birth I suffered the same and it spoilt being a mother for me for 2 years. I had csection 2nd birth and it was the best thing I ever did. It was an unusual experience. I was so excited and relaxed knowing my baby would be with me within 15 minutes of the start of the procedure. It was surreal .

I managed to puck my baby up straight afterwards but I was sensible and took help when it was offered. Also keep on top of your pain and you will be fine. Good luck x

Thank you both! Since being told, it is the first time I have actually felt comfortable at the prospect of having another baby! :) how did you find recovery? I have an amazing partner to do everything so all should be well whilst I rest and eat chocolate all day (that's all I wanted to eat after first baby haha)

No, not true. You must however take it very easy and do bugger all for at least the first two weeks and then you will be fine. Nothing beats lots of snuggles on the sofa with all your children (i have 3, all by born by section) whilst your dh is doing the housework and cooking :)

this was an amazing site to help me with my c section. www.caesarean.org.uk/

my main advice is to think of all the stuff you read as general information. the essential thing is to find out from your hospital and your consultant about your section as every one is different. There can be some horror stories and some good stories and usually it ends up somewhere in the middle for most people..

My ELCS was an amazing day. I was nervous but everyone in the theatre was very calm. They put the radio on and I remember it feeling very strange how it was just another day at work for the midwife and doctors while it was one of the most amazing/exciting/scary days ever for me. As Addicted says, the baby is brought out near the start of the procedure and I found my little boy a great distraction during the rest of the csection.

After the section make sure you take it easy for a while and don't push yourself too hard. I found that I recovered quite quickly and was moving well quite soon after getting home but obviously everyone's recovery is different. I wasn't able to drive for 6 weeks afterwards but that was my insurance company's rules - I felt like I could have driven a lot earlier.

Thanks all for your help and advice! Seems I was having horrific nightmares about labour, then felt 'relaxed' being told I could have an elective cesarean, only to not be kept awake obsessing over cesareans etc. :( arghhh!! Am feeling so lost and scared at the moment x x x

My ELCS was almost relaxing too! I recovered really quickly and didn't experience much pain afterwards. I'd definitely do it that way again.
Don't forget to buy big knickers that won't rub on your scar. Good Luck!

Big knickers and hold a cushion to your tummy whenever you want to laugh or cough.

You will be fine. All the best.

Take it easy by all means...I drove my prem twins home from hospital at 2.5 weeks.

The replies so far are I think a little unrepresentative, it isn't a 'breeze in the park' for a lot of people.

Personally with an elective for dc2 I couldn't pick up my toddler or drive for the six weeks. I could however cuddle him and love him, just not lift him.

Treat yourself kindly, and don't push yourself too soon. Your recovery will be best if you go with your feelings at the time and hope for but don't expect it to be easy.

Good luck.

My elective section was brilliant. A really positive experience.

DD2 is now 19 days old and I feel perfectly normal. I was lifting 2 year old DD1 off the ground at 24 hours post section, and carrying her short distances after about three days. I don't drive so can't comment on that, but I have been running about as normal for about 10 days now. The recovery from this versus the emergency section two years ago has been so much easier. Good luck!

Same as poster above. I had a planed C Section just under 3 weeks ago and it was much much better than I expected. The whole experience was calm and done in a very controlled way. Even though I was a little sore after it was definitely bearable and only needed painkillers for about 3/4 days. There's barely a scar, which I put down to the excellent docs at UCLH and I was driving safely after a fortnight. I'd definitely have another if it was needed without thinking twice. Please don't worry too much, think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Yes mine too was a wonderful experience, yes when I saw the cold lights of operating theatre I had a small panic, but think 5 mins of - OMG.....to 6 hours of horrendous labour never knowing how or when it will end...

it was noting!

it all happened so quickly once it started....then you see your darling baby and your looking at baby and having photos....then they are done sticthing you up...then recovery then up to ward.

I was worried about cather it was fine...BF straight away, still going strong....I had a blissful 3 days in hospital in a litle cocoon with her....and I was dreading being on ward and wanted private room couldnt get one but was glad in the end!

Honestly its amazing...a wonderful way to bring baby into the world, and she was a much calmer happier baby too, and I was much calmer, coming at her on a good nights sleep and no phsyical and mental and emotional exersion.

The worst part for me was fainting, this is quite common, the day I went to loo after op, the first time stood up, felt woozy and fainted.

i planned recovery dh took loads of holiday off and I did nothing for two weeks, even though felt could do more.

get yourself a good co sleeper cot...that was in valuble to my recovery physically and my sanity.

its marvellous and my ELC really cancelled out that first labour....when i think of elc i think of wonderfulness...with first labour, it traumatised me for 5 years and wne i went back to hospital preg with dd2, i saw lifts and broke down in tears rememeber going through when in labour first time.

i am going to thank my consultant again soon, for letting me have one....

honestly, you have been given a wonderful gift...you really have relax and enjoy your pregnany and birth...

Thanks you, you wonderful mummies! am feeling so much less anxious now :) can't wait! At how many weeks do they do the cesarean? my exams do not finish until the 25th and baby is due on 5th sigh I don't do things by half he he :) just looking forward to having my beautiful little baby in my arms now xx

Agree with the 'do bugger all for 2 weeks' comment. Pj's, sofa, TV, ban visitors and hunker down together.

I didn't really do much for the next month, no driving or long walks. I'm naturally hyper and active but I decided taking it easy for a couple of months was worth it if I wanted to recover well.

And the theatre teams are awesome. So calm and happy to explain what's what and what they're doing.

They usually do them at 39 weeks BTW.

They like to do the op at 39 weeks, amd i can echo the experiences above: my elcs was amazing. Calm, controlled, peaceful - i met my daughter feeling relatively refreshed and ready for the next chapter. Try and get up soon after the op but don't take things too quickly - definitely relax as much as you can. I also fainted on the bog, Elvis Style! Classy...

Ljialnye, I just wanted to say this in response to your initial comment

please don't think I'm a drama queen, I have had panic attacks constantly since finding out I was pregnant

This board is really supportive of anyone who has had a traumatic first birth or has issues relating to anxiety over childbirth. This is a problem, which is now recognised as a medical issue, though you do come across lots of ignorant people, both in the medical profession and in the general public who are not up with this.

Its a mental health issue, and as such should be treated with as much support and understanding as depression. I know it is still something of a taboo, but it shouldn't be. You shouldn't feel as if you are being judged as a drama queen as this is not something you can control or can help and it is something you DESERVE help and support with.

Please do not EVER feel guilty about this, nor feel like you have to justify yourself. You don't. You have a medical issue as valid as any physical one. I am due to have an ELCS on the grounds of anxiety in September. It has been made very clear to me by those caring for me, and trying to reassure me about how I feel, that this is due to medical NEED not because I'm precious in any way.

There is a book called "Caesarean Birth: A Positive Approach to Preparation and Recovery" by Leigh East which is very good, very factual and may be of interest to you.

Please do also ask who ever is caring for you questions, and if you have any concerns about aspects of the surgery raise them. They have briefly discussed my ELCS with me, and because of the circumstances, they are willing to accommodate certain things which are slightly out of their normal procedure to help me feel more at ease with the process.