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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Elective C Section

75 replies

lilwelshyrs · 31/10/2015 09:04

Morning all,

Just wanted some advice about my upcoming c sec. It's been booked for 9th nov. I have a fibroid which has stopped bubba from going head down or engaging in any way which has made my bump humungous!

I'm scared - the surgery whilst i'm awake scares me. The thought of feeling "tugging" sensations scares me. I cant really get my head around it.
I'm also mourning the fact I can't give birth naturally - i was planning on doing hypnobirthing and was really looking forward to that. When i see a tv show that has someone giving birth naturally on it, it makes me cry... I don't sit and feel sorry for myself or anything... I'm quite accepting as it's the safest option for me and bubba which is most important.

My DH is going to be by my side and we had discussed that my mum wouldn't be around initially - but that was when we thought I was giving birth naturally. Now, I really want my mum with me too... Is that strange?

Any c section tips or advice would be much appreciated. I honestly have never been so scared of anything in my entire life!

Thanks!

OP posts:

Dildals · 01/11/2015 16:52

Oh and I initially thought I didn't need my mum over but I so totally did!

Dildals · 01/11/2015 16:59

I asked for skin to skin in theatre but be prepared for it to be uncomfortable, like someone else said, there isn't much space. I felt he was draped around my neck like a scarf, yelling in my ear !

I also specified I wanted him dried off with our own towels and I wanted our own linen in his cot. You can make a CS the way you want it (to a certain degree of course)

Original poster

lilwelshyrs · 01/11/2015 20:01

Thank you everyone for your replies. I feel so much better reading all your successful EMCS and ELCS.

I know it's totally what's best for bubba and I and I am also so glad we don't know the sex as all the mystery would have gone from the birth had we found out!

So some PPs have mentioned that their milk didn't come straight away - assuming we all get the shot of oxytocin, what else can I do to help the milk come? I already leak colostrum (only at night and usually when I dream of baby!)... does that stand me in good stead?

I haven't seen where the C section will take place - is it good to go along and have a look?

Also where the incision is made above the pubic bone, should I make sure I'm not too hairy around there?! I'm concerned that if they shave me then I'll get horrid ingrown hairs as I would usually use a cream and not shave! Any thoughts?

Also - what do people mean about sitting on their stitches? How do I avoid this?!

Thanks again everyone. This has been incredible advice. I wish the NHS had a little more info to give me - even a little hand out would have been nice!

OP posts:

DriverSurpriseMe · 01/11/2015 20:08

I'm not sure they'll let you visit an operating theatre, but there's no need really, it's fairly generic and just like any operating theatre you see on TV.

Re. Sitting on stitches - the poster above was talking about women who've torn after vaginal births and were therefore in pain due to sitting on their stitches. Point being that you avoid that particular bit of misery when you have a section.

The incision will be just below the hairline (so, impossible to sit on ) and you'll probably be advised to shave a little bit before the op. They will tell you exactly what you need to do once the date is booked, usually.

FlossieTreadlight · 01/11/2015 20:12

A lot of great experiences shared here. I would add (I had an ELCS with dc2 after a traumatic vaginal delivery with DC1) is to take in and wear mahoosive pants and high waisted yoga pants that come nowhere near the scar; be prepared that you can feel really itchy the next day (an after effect of opiates I think); rest rest rest rest rest - the less you do for 2-3 weeks, the more sprightly you will be; take your painkillers - don't shillyshally around with this. If they are late coming, ask for them as it is sore but v manageable if you take your drugs. Don't feel shy of asking for helping from ward staff to pass your baby to you - equivalent abdo surgery would result in advice for you to not even lift a kettle!

I loved my ELCS, my beautiful son was laid on my chest and it was just - amazing. The staff were great, atmosphere relaxed as we were both healthy and no one was in danger, music playing... Just lovely. Enjoy

Original poster

lilwelshyrs · 01/11/2015 20:12

haha, oh I see... Yes that does make sense... I was worried about my big belly fold rubbing the stitches

I have my pre-assessment on friday so hopefully I will remember all these questions I have to ask! Need to write them down and not forget the bit of paper I wrote them down on

OP posts:

FlossieTreadlight · 01/11/2015 20:14

Immac before hand or get a wax if you're worried re ingrown hair. I usually Immac but couldn't see :) so got it waxed to avoid itchy bic re growth

Original poster

lilwelshyrs · 01/11/2015 20:15

Oh that was another question... I'm booked in for first thing next Monday... I might not be seen straight away obviously. If I'm not seen til late on in the day, is DH expected to go home overnight? Is he allowed to stay with me and bubba on the ward in the chair? We don't live miles away from the hospital but I'm quite scared about being on my own!

OP posts:

DriverSurpriseMe · 01/11/2015 20:19

My hospital notes had a pack explaining the ward rules. Everywhere is different, but partners are not allowed to stay overnight. The hospital I gave birth in let partners stay until 11pm though, which I was glad about. There will be staff around to help you so you just need to buzz. Don't expect to get any sleep. In fact, I recommend getting discharged ASAP as long as you're well (I left when the baby was 26 hours old) because I wanted to be back at home where I could actually sleep.

Original poster

lilwelshyrs · 01/11/2015 20:27

I have no info about hospital rules, unfortunately. Another one to write down for friday!

Have roped hubby in for sexy hair removal time over the weekend I mean it's the least he can do!

Yes, I had a feeling that being in overnight meant no sleep for me as presumably on a ward with other women and their bubbas too. I can only imagine it being quite a surreal experience.

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DriverSurpriseMe · 01/11/2015 20:30

That's an advantage of an ELCS at least - you go into it well rested, unlike a woman who's been awake for two days in labour ending in an EMCS. Not saying that total sleep deprivation is fun, but four days of sleep deprivation sends you doolally.

Ask me how I know

Feathernest · 01/11/2015 20:31

Hello just wanted to add to the reassurance, planned c section all fine for me. Would just say do make a birth plan, they will read it and should take it into account, ie if you'd rather find out sex yourself rather than be told. My anaesthetist was also really lovely, wanted to know how much I wanted to know about what was going on, or if I'd rather be oblivious (I wanted blow by blow commentary!). They sit by your head so they are there to ask any questions you may have.Think bf was easier for me than if I'd been exhausted from labour too. Everyone warned me that baby may not cry straight away, quite common to have breathing problems, but she was absolutely fine and I'd been scared about that, you have everyone stranding by though just in case. DH had to go home that evening, but that was the policy at our hospital for all births, there were no overnight stays. We went in early morning for op, understood any emergencies would bump us later (but that it would be unusual for this to happen.) I think if there is any reason they can't see you by a certain point that day, they will just send you home and rebook, you wouldn't have to stay in hospital regardless. Good luck, honestly re the tugging and everything else, the moment you put that baby on your chest you can't think about anything else

DriverSurpriseMe · 01/11/2015 20:35

Oh yes, the theatre staff asked if we knew the sex (we didn't) and so they didn't announce it, they brought him round so we could see for ourselves. That was really lovely.

Booboostwo · 01/11/2015 20:42

Your milk will take 2-7 days to come in anyway, nothing to do with the CS, but your body will be producing colostrum so the baby will be getting that.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Original poster

lilwelshyrs · 01/11/2015 20:42

I think I'm going to ask them to just chat amongst themselves as the only time I've ever had any procedure was when I was about 14 years old and I had to have a tiny bit of skin removed from under my top lip... So obviously awake for that. I was fine until the dentist said "Right, let's stitch her up!" Grim. So maybe chatter about their weekend - make me laugh etc... I'm super chatty so if they don't speak I bloody will haha.

I hope that I'm seen on Monday... I couldn't bear the build up to be booked in for another day! haha.

I definitely don't want them to announce the sex. Hopefully DH can do that :)

OP posts:

notarealgirl · 01/11/2015 21:25

I had a c section with my second child and rather than tugging it was just like someone pushing down really hard on my tummy - uncomfortable but not awful...

Psychologically, it was weird being awake throughout an operation but my fear of that went away as soon as I knew things were 'in progress' as it were, and I couldn't feel a thing. I had dissolvable stitches and my scar isn't noticeable after just 9 months.

Honestly, it was by far, a much less revolting experience than natural childbirth!

DriverSurpriseMe · 01/11/2015 21:28

Honestly, it was by far, a much less revolting experience than natural childbirth!

I could not agree more

Original poster

lilwelshyrs · 01/11/2015 22:02

Haha, i'm actually starting to look forward to my c section now... I kinda assume that it'll be messy but clearly no where near as messy as a normal birth it would seem!!

OP posts:

Dildals · 02/11/2015 09:20

I was worried about my milk coming in later(r) too but in reality it doesn't matter, the baby just drinks colostrum in the mean time, he didn't seem to be going hungry! After their first feed they can go for quite some time without, they're having a nice restorative sleep from the shock of being born! I suggest you have a sleep too, because I kept watching my baby, waiting for him to wake up, missing out on vital sleep time! And when he did finally woke up he didn't leave the boob for several hours!

Original poster

lilwelshyrs · 02/11/2015 23:27

Is it worth expressing some colostrum before the c section?

OP posts:

mrsmugoo · 03/11/2015 07:57

I don't really see the point in expressing colostrum before? Just put your baby to your breast, no different to if you had had a VB.
The placenta coming away triggers your lactation regardless of method of delivery.

Only1scoop · 03/11/2015 08:06

I had an elcs all very calm and lovely the 'tugging' is painless just a sensation.

Most uncomfortable part for me was the spinal, but all in all a wonderful experience.

If you wish to BF you just go for it no need to express as far as I know.

Good luck

Kittymum03 · 03/11/2015 08:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LumpySpaceCow · 03/11/2015 12:22

The milk not coming in is more anecdotal than evidence based. The placenta coming away from uterus triggers the hormones for milk. Initially all babies just get tiny amounts but it's really fatty and nutritious. Just feed on demand and you should be fine. I had no issues after my elcs.

Original poster

lilwelshyrs · 03/11/2015 12:26

Oh gosh! So i need a totally naked fanjo?! I cant imagine how strange it must feel to have someone use an electric razor down there
It's like you just cant avoid having lots of people stare at your bits no matter how you give birth haha

OP posts:

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